In celebration of 100 years of recorded Ghanaian Highlife, BBE release this gorgeous double pack of mid-80s albums by the underappreciated but wonderful Atakora Manu. A brilliant melding of ‘palmwine’ blues and eccentric synth work that stands it out from most Highlife that we are usually exposed to. Read / Listen
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Ballaké Sissoko 'A Touma' (NØ FØRMAT!) - a review
For his second album of 2021, the master kora player Ballaké Sissoko recorded eight solo compositions in one day inside a chapel in Belgium. It is a stunning journey of emotion, virtuosity and West African folk-blues and as good as any kora recordings that I have been lucky enough to discover. Read / Listen
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Blue Dream 'Trip To LA' (Tangential Music) - a review
Andy Compton and friends have created a woozy, sunshine album of Californian sunset music utilising vintage synths and drum machines, warm guitars and the cool soulful voice of Irantzu Pujadas. The sound of a white isle bar or of falling in love, this is a must for fans of Eddie Chacon, Shuggie Otis or A Man Called Adam. Pure vibes. Read / Listen
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Dolenz 'Kuntur EP' (Exit Records) - a review
At times full of menace, at others deeply soulful, Dolenz’ forthcoming EP for the always groundbreaking Exit Records is a must for fans of experimental beatmaking. Deep and tough electronica collides with the odd end of hip hop with top shelf results - including collaborations with underground legend Steve Spacek and UK rapper Sonnyjim. Read / Listen
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Awkward Corners 'Amateur Dramatics' (Shapes Of Rhythm) - a review
The brand new LP from Chris Menist’s ‘Awkward Corners’ project unfolds like an old book of tales, personal reflections and feelings gently whispering into your chest. Deep electronics, lush live instrumentation and the otherworldly reed work of Tamar Collocutor make this an essential immersive experience. Read / Listen
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Awkward Corners 'Marshland Lullaby' (Shapes Of Rhythm) - 'single' preview
We are very pleased to reveal the second ‘single’ from the brilliant new album from Awkward Corners. ‘Marshland Lullaby’ is a dreamlike wandering of emotional depth with a hypnotic double bass and the heavenly voice of Kitty Whitelaw as your spirit guides. Read / Listen here
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Elijah Minnelli 'SLATS' (Breadminster County Council) - a preview
Elijah Minnelli creates dub that effortlessly brings cumbia, western and eastern folk idioms into the sound and it is brilliant. His new single is out in August on the Breadminster County Council label. Here is a preview. Read / Listen
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Kinkajous 'Convolution' (Running Circle) - a review
The new single from Kinkajous’ forthcoming second LP for Running Circle Records is a richly orchestrated yet turbulent soundtrack for the times we are living in. Electronica, jazz and cinematic strings melt together like burning electrical wires. Read / Listen here
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Marco Woolf 'Lets Build This House' (Phlexx Records) - Video Premiere
We are delighted to premiere the brand new video single from the inspirational alt-jazz artist Marco Woolf. A gorgeous and intimate video of compelling potency featuring many of Marco’s own family members, the single will be released on Friday 9th July on Phlexx Records as a second taster of his brilliant forthcoming EP ‘Francine, i’. Watch / Read here…
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Yelfris Valdés 'For The Ones (Remixed)' (Música Macondo Records) - a review
A classy remix package of Yelfris Valdés 'For The Ones' LP on Música Macondo Records sees Tim Garcia harnessing a serious line-up of producers to explore and rework the original gold into new shapes whilst retaining the spiritual Yoruba force originally intended. An essential listen for lovers of broken beat, deep house and the real thing. Read / listen here
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Champyun Clouds 'Champyun Clouds' (Hongo Malo) - an interview & review
Champyun Clouds are Neil Tolliday (aka Nail) and Asa Hudson and during lockdown they have churned out a whole load of great tunes that bridge the gap between The Beta Band, odd soundtracks, Serge Gainsbourg, Flaming Lips and deep electronic warmth seemingly effortlessly. Read / Listen here.
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Hassan Wargui 'Tiddukla' (Hive Mind Records) - a review
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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Retusa: Luis Pérez Ixoneztli 'Santuario de Mariposas' (Tokonoma Records) - a review
An extraordinary sonic journey into an imagined Aztec past using archaic instruments and a deep well of ritual and mind-altering experimentation. Sometimes there's a heavy groove, sometimes the jungle is inside you. A brilliant and first time reissue of this little heard collection of magic on Tokonoma Records. Read / Listen…
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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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