On the eve of a much awaited Kinkajous UK tour, Mauro Ferreiro reviews their brilliant second album ‘Being Waves’ that was released in September on Nottingham’s fine Running Circle imprint. Read / Listen here
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Dave De Rose & Dan Nicholls 'Plants Heal' (DDR) - a review
‘Plants Heal’ is released today and is a short, beautifully weighted album of natural ambience and surprising moments of electro-acoustic tension culled from two days of constant improvisation. Meditative and impressionistic, the record is both relaxing and confrontational in the most calming way from two of the leading lights of the experimental scene. Read / Listen here
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Nilza Costa - an interview
Nilza Costa is a singer/songwriter from Salvador de Bahia living in Italy and her new album ‘Le notti di San Patrizio’ is an uncommon combination of traditional Brazilian rhythms and melodies and European jazz forms. It’s a beautiful thing so I pinged her a few questions.. Listen / Read here
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Penya 'False Prophets' (Liminal Recordings) - video and Cuba Solidarity Campaign
The genre-busting Penya have a brand new remix EP on the way and for the first three months, all the Bandcamp sales raised from their brilliant new single ‘False Prophets’ will be going towards the COVID-19 Medical Appeal for Cuba via the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Afro-latino rhythms from the past hurtling into the future is their game and we’re big fans. Check the superb video and order the remix pack here
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Jan Van 'Streams' (Teranga Beat) - a review
‘Streams’ is an excellent album of cinematic noir created live by rhythmic maestro Jan Van aka Yannis Angelolopoulos and the cream of Athens’ jazz and improvisational musicians. Funky, spacious and reflective, their unique fusion of contemporary improv jazz and laïkodimotiko (local, popular music) is a fine blend indeed. Read / Listen here
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Credit - Nicola Schmid
Howald 'Amnis Alsace' (BlauBlau Records) - a review
A touching and poetic soundtrack to a filmic diary that was made in response to the music from Swiss multi-instrumentalist Dimitri Howald. Touching on Afro-Brazilian, jazz, post-rock and 80s New Wave flavours. Read / Listen / Watch the film here
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Atakora Manu 'AFRO HIGHLIFE' / 'OMINTIMINIM' (BBE) - a review
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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