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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We Are KING 'Space Oddity' (BBE) - preview
Fans of David Bowie’s music take note, BBE Music have curated an album of Bowie compositions viewed through a Black music lens that will be coming out in May 2021! Have a listen to the first single here - a respectful but soul-laden update of ‘Space Oddity’ by Grammy-nominated twin sisters We Are KING!
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Photo by Rafael Passos
Berra Boi (live) in João Pessoa (Paraíba) for Zona Mundi Festival - video and review
Berra Boi are an experimental instrumental trio led by our friend Chico Correa, a producer, musician and DJ from Brazil who has proven time and again his willingness to dive deep into intriguing musical spaces without prejudice. For this psychedelic live performance for the recent online Zona Mundi Festival, the trio explore electronics alongside the indigenous rhythms of Northeastern Brazil creating an audio-visual freak-zone of their own….Watch / read here!
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Julie Campiche - Live at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2020 - a review
I was asked to do a ‘live’ review of Julie Campiche’s performance at the online EFG London Jazz Festival and I’m so pleased I was as this is stunning. Read the review and watch the performance here…
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Nimbus Sextet (Acid Jazz) - an interview
Signed to Acid Jazz and with their debut LP ‘Dreams Fulfilled’ fresh out of the blocks, we asked the young Glasgow-based Nimbus Sextet about the uniquely Scottish route they took to becoming a hot new addition to the UK jazz scene…. Read / listen here
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Mariachi Las Adelitas - El Toro Relajo (video)
Europe’s only all-female Mariachi band (endorsed by Salma Hayek no less), have managed to navigate the lockdown troubles of 2020 and remotely record a stunning rearrangement of the Felipe Bermejo song ‘El Toro Relajo’ and it’s wonderful. Watch the video here….
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Victor Chukwu / Uncle Victor Chuks & The Black Irokos 'Akalaka / The Power' (BBE) - Album Premiere
BBE return with two albums by the mysterious Victor Chukwu for their brilliant Tabansi Gold Series and they are gorgeous examples of late 70’s Igbo highlife…joy, pride and wonder throughout. Truth & Lies Music are pleased to host the album premiere for your pleasure! Listen / read….
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