A sublime mini-album of Moroccan Amazigh music by the highly prolific talent Hassan Wargui released soon on Brighton’s Hive Mind Records. The sound of the Anti-Atlas mountains blends yearning voices, complex percussion and the banjo to create a deeply emotional but calming resonance. Read / Listen here
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DJ Amir Presents ‘Strata Records - The Sound of Detroit’ Volume 1 (BBE) - a review
A holy shit compilation of tracks from Detroit’s short-lived but essential Strata label compiled by 180 Proof founder and Strata catalogue curator DJ Amir…….jazz for people who like it soulful, grimy and real..this is the good stuff! Read / Listen here
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Various Artists 'Color de Trópico Vol. 2' (El Palmas Music) - a review
A top shelf compilation of impossible to find music from Venezuela’s boom years (1966 - 78) touching on cumbia, salsa, folkloric and even localised versions of Fela Kuti and Desmond Dekker to get you moving and smiling… Read / Listen here
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Agile Experiments 'Bloom Anubis' (DDR Records) - a review
‘Bloom Anubis’ is a superb rhythmic journey from Dave De Rose’s Agile Experiments outfit, chock full of playful experimentation and loose-limbed grooves for fans of Sons Of Kemet and other jazz-not-jazz explorers… Read / Listen here
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Billy Bang 'Lucky Man' (BBE) - a review
‘Lucky Man’ is a new soundtrack release by BBE and IF Music of the documentary film that follows a Vietnam veteran as he returns to the country 40 years after as he searches for redemption and healing through improvisational collaboration with local musicians. That veteran was Billy Bang, one of the greatest jazz violinists of all time and it is an extraordinary journey…. Read / Listen here
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vbnd 'Scum Funk' (DeepMatter) - a review
Check out this brand new album from Canada’s vbnd. Contemporary soul jazz that sits on the same sofa as SAULT and the Soulquarians with its funky, soulful jazzy tunes that make perfect sunshine food for the soul.. Read / Listen here…
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Christian Reim Sextet "MONA LISA" Suite Molde 73 (Jazzaggression) - a review
Norwegian jazz behemoth Christian Reim recorded a series of live concerts at Molde Jazz Festival in the 70s and they are quite something. Published for the first time on Finnish label Jazzaggression, our man in Dominican Republic Mauro Ferreiro deeply immersed himself and has come strong with a superb review that makes you want to listen again and again…. Read / Listen here
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Jakob Dinesen/Anders Christensen/Laust Sonne 'Blessings' (April Records) - a review
‘Blessings’ is a new live album from the Danish trio of Jakob Dinesen, Anders Christensen and Laust Sonne and it is a charmer of a set, walking through summery ballads and Middle Eastern tinged groovers and includes a superb version of ‘Freedom Jazz dance’ by Sonny Rollins…..Read /Listen
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Ararur 'Mielikki' - a review
Ararur are a superb Portuguese jazz ensemble with a new and beautiful album named after the Finnish Goddess of Forests ‘Mielikki’. A kind-hearted, progressive and spacious blend of Northern and Southern European jazz styles with the gold dust supplied by singer Angela Maria’s strong vocal resemblance to the legendary Brazilian singer Joyce … Read / Listen here
Read MoreBallaké Sissoko feat Sona Jobarteh 'Djourou' (No Format) - video review
Watch the hypnotic performance of the first single from master kora player Ballaké Sissoko’s forthcoming album ‘Djourou’. A duet of electrifying gentleness with Gambian kora player, singer and activist Sona Jobarteh, this is special. Watch here….
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Paintings On The Wall Art by Jack Wolff
Local Healers & Louis Cypher 'Paintings On The Wall' (I'm Not From Brooklyn Records) - a review
Nottingham’s Local Healers have teamed up with Louis Cypher and Belgian producer Faux Sala to create a 7 track EP of jazzy dope beats and lyrical honesty. Join them as they navigate and explore lockdown, self-worth, the grind of the government (and other forces), even the nature of being an artist itself. If you love the interplay and classy ambiance of the Native Tongues or The Pharcyde with an East Midlands perspective, dig in! Read / Listen here…
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George Otsuka Quintet 'Loving You George' (WEWANTSOUNDS) - a review
Coming soon on WEWANTSOUNDS - an outstanding live jazz album from 1975 by one of Japan’s greatest ever drummers George Otsuka alongside his quintet. Worth checking out for their killer version of the Minnie Riperton classic ‘Lovin’ You’ alone … Read / Listen / Pre-order here
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University Challenged 'Oh Temple!' (Hive Mind Records) - a review
Oh Temple! is a breathtaking double vinyl release of sprawling kosmische spectacle from the brilliantly named University Challenged out now on Hive Mind Records. A psychedelic supergroup who draw us into their dreamlike world via vintage synths, grungy bass lines, pastoral and tape-manipulated guitars, static, dust, vocal samples and illusory field recordings creating an inner-outer soundtrack of wide-eyed wonder. Read / Listen / Watch the ace videos here…
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Rasha Nahas 'Desert' (Rmad Records) - a review
The debut album ‘Desert’ from Palestinian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rasha Nahas is an intoxicating combination of Weimar-era theatrics, rock’n’roll backbone and Rasha’s thrilling voice and poetry…. Read / Listen
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Roots 'Roots' (Frederiksberg Records) - a review
Frederiksberg Records do it again! The reissue of this 1975 album of joyous South African soul-jazz is a must for lovers of unhurried and happy Soweto grooves that manage to seamlessly reference township musical styles and the new Afrocentric atmosphere of mid 70’s urban USA…. Read / Listen here
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Photo credit: Sven Marquardt
Olivier St. Louis 'M.O.T.H. Matters Of The Heartless' (First Word Records) - a review
Olivier St. Louis’ debut release for First Word Records is a deep dive into his alternative soul universe. Produced by the man Oddisee, it’s released this week! Read / Listen here…..
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Gerry Weil 'The Message' (Música Infinita) - a review
A superb reissue of Gerry Weil’s funky Jazz-Rock opus ‘The Message’ is a snapshot of 1970’s Venezuela and a reminder that the hippie dreamers could create some serious art amongst the spiritual platitudes…Read / Listen here…
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Subculture Sage 'Hackers / I Am The Ghost' - a review
North London’s Subculture Sage have a brand new double-headed slab of thoughtful sunshine Hip Hop out today that should bring joy to the ears of ‘golden era’ supporters and passing Hip Hop fans alike… Read / Listen here
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Photo: Justice Mukheli
Urban Village 'Udondolo' (Nø Førmat!) - a review
The debut album ‘Udondolo’ by the Soweto four-piece Urban Village is a wonderful multilingual journey of positivity through a diverse palette of South African folk traditions and modern musical forms. Maskandi, Zulu Rock and Marabi to funk and jazz, an identity shaped by the melting pot of the metropolitan squeeze of Johannesburg’s most famous Township. This is a peach of a record and will be released next week on the brilliant French label Nø Førmat!. Read / Listen here……….
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Menagerie 'Many Worlds' (Freestyle Records) - a review
An exceptional new album of spiritual and modal jazz reminiscent of the great catalogues of Black Jazz Records, Tribe and Strata-East from the brilliant Lance Ferguson led nine piece band Menagerie is released next week on Freestyle Records. Check our review, listen to the lead tracks and see what the fuss is all about….
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