DJ Muggs - Notes & Tones (Second Vintage)

Now-Again X Soul Assassins X Broc Cellars

Notes & Tones – Second Vintage - the wine: 2022 vintage. Produced by Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars in Berkeley from grapes picked in Broc’s organically farmed Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino. The wine is a blend of three grape varieties: 50% Ribolla Galla, 45% Tocai Friulano and 5% Trebbiano. All grapes naturally fermented on its native yeasts and skins in sandstone jarres, then gently pressed to age back into jarres for twelve months. After that year in jarres it was racked to neutral oak barrique where it lived for six months to develop further. The wine was hand bottled by Muggs, Egon and Chris at the start of 2024 and aged for another year in bottle. 540 bottles made.

Inspiration: Art Taylor/Stanko Radikon/Xavier Caillard

Notes & Tones – Second Vintage - the album:

The second vintage of Notes & Tones continues where the first album – all based on Sun Ra samples - left off: Muggs’ deep dive into Gene Perla’s PM Records catalog of jazz’s wide reach, produced in collaboration with Egon of Now-Again Records, who manages Perla’s catalog and readied this album for release.

Tracklist:
1. Berkeley Groove
2. Breakfast At Swan Oyster Depot
3. Ukiah Sunrise
4. Trebbiano Funk
5. From Our Heart To Your Hearts
6. Tocai Friulano Suite
7. Dinner At Chez Panisse
8. Amphora
9. Volatile Acidity
10. Savage Savagnin
11. Sunday At Broc Cellars
12. Ghosts of Fox Hill

Hot 8 Brass Band - Big Tuba

The 'Big Tuba' album marks the return of the Hot 8 Brass Band with their first new project since 2019, it features the singles “Big Tuba”, and their cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”.

The album title is a heartfelt tribute to Bennie Pete, the band’s co-founder and sousaphone player: “On September 6 2021, we, the Hot 8 Brass Band, lost our beloved bandleader, Bennie Pete. He was more than just our leader; he was a constant galvanising force within our own family of fellow musicians and beyond. Bennie was a rock in our lives. Yes, he was a leader, a teacher, and a mentor. More than that, Bennie was an inspiration to our band and to many other musicians, and the entire musical and cultural community. He helped each and every one of us, from our horn players to the folks dancing in the second lines and to the entire New Orleans community, during the most difficult and darkest times. Bennie helped all of us endure, to heal by encouraging us to continue to play our music despite any adversities.”

With nine tracks on vinyl, and "Let’s Stay Together" also available digitally, this album delves into the traditional jazz heritage of their hometown of New Orleans. The release includes a special 3-color A-Side/B-Side vinyl, a 12” poster insert, and an exclusive 7” featuring Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing (Bossman Edit)” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”.

The band will be touring the US East Coast, Europe, the UK, and Ireland in February, March and April as part of the Big Tuba Tour, following a series of dates along the US West Coast. This tour builds on the success of their previous sold-out tours, including the Bossman Tour (2023), Mardi Gras (2020), and Take Cover (2019), which featured sold-out shows at venues like London’s Roundhouse and Brighton Dome.

Tracklist:
1. Big Tuba
2. Fight Song
3. La Jean (Largent)
4. Ain't No Sunshine
5. West Lawn Dirge
6. Miss Alberta
7. Respect My Mind
8. Midway
9. In The Place To Be
10. Let's Stay Together

Jay Mumford & Soul Supreme: "9th Wonder" b/w "Crown Ones"

Amsterdam-based keyboardist, producer, arranger and DJ Soul Supreme reached out to NYC drummer Jay Mumford in 2021 to lay the down groove on his re-imagining of Q-Tip and J-Dilla’s "Let's Ride”. That paved the way for future collaborations: a cover of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Award Tour (We Gettin’ Down)” and two tunes on Soul Supreme’s Poetic Justice LP. But when the pair began posting brief covers of their favorite funk, jazz and hip-hop tunes on Instagram just for fun, followers of both musicians - and often, the covered artists themselves - began to take note. Two of those 20+ covers were particularly well-received, and the duo decided to answer the peoples’ call for a 7” release with the songs pushed to their full potential. Similar to “Award Tour” and “Let’s Ride”, a hip-hop classic and a fan favorite are pushed to their full potential here. This installment goes coast to coast and explores Digable Planets’ “9th Wonder” (the “East” side) and People Under the Stairs’ (PUTS) “Crown Ones” (the “West” side).

The iconic synth intro of “9th Wonder” makes way for Jay’s thunderous ode to a slowed down Clyde Stubblefield groove. Sure to be a favorite with DJs, Jay eventually detours into a syncopated New Orleans funk break, before getting back to the groove for Soul Supreme’s funky wah wah clavinet work. Throughout, the arrangement expands beyond both that of the original and all of its DNA. The addition of cascading horns (featuring a trumpet solo by Lourens van der Zwaag) and a second, more aggressive break from Jay bring it back full circle, completing a modern update of a classic that manages to pay homage to ‘70s jazz-funk, breakbeats and ‘90s hip-hop - all while staying both modern and raw.

Diehard PUTS fans will recognize Soul Supreme’s catchy Rhodes line as soon as the needle drops, but Jay’s heavy funk groove quickly separates it from the original and takes it from hip-hop cover to heavy funk tune. Soul Supreme’s Rhodes solo pushes it far beyond the confines of instrumental funk as the groove intensifies, while his chops as an arranger are on full display: his horn parts - featuring van der Zwaag, trombonist Olav Schloorlemmer and Job Chajes' Contra-Alto Clarinet that channels The Headhunters - counter his synth melodies in a discussion that completes the record as a heavy slice of uncut jazz-funk.

Tracklist:
1. 9th Wonder
2. Crown Ones

OkoŃski - Entrance Music

After nearly two years, Okonski returns with Entrance Music — an album that finds the trio at the height of their improvisational prowess and celebrating the spontaneous and meditative. On the heels of 2023’s debut Magnolia, pianist and leader Steve Okonski has reconvened long-time musical collaborators (Durand Jones and the Indications bandmate Aaron Frazer on drums and bassist Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery) for another session in the spirit of artists like the Bad Plus, Gerald Clayton, and The Breathing Effect. Ultimately Entrance Music serves as an invitation to early hours, where songs linger in the doorway, announcing their presence before returning to the air, in a meticulous drift into the next.

Recorded over a five day session, Entrance Music was one of the first albums committed to tape at Portage Lounge, Terry Cole’s studio in Loveland, OH. “It was a new setup, but with Terry behind the dials it was very familiar,” says Okonski. “I can’t emphasize enough how much Terry feels like a fourth member [of the band] because of the space he’s curating, the energy he is bringing, and the production ideas.” The energy and sound created with the Colemine labelhead at the helm makes for a listening experience equally at home with ECM or Stones Throw catalogs.

From the rippling notes of the pastoral opener, “October,” Entrance Music is lush with anticipation, both band and listener feeling the tension in the tranquility — where the interplay of jazz improvisation and boom bap beats never shortchanges the musicianship but the talent is ever in service of the song.

While the band does not play together as often as they would like, not much time is needed for the three to lock in. Montgomery’s bass opening to “Passing Through” bends and moves with a singular meditative grace before piano and percussion joins the daylight filling a room with breath and light. If Magnolia resonated with last calls and late nights, Entrance Music counters with early mornings and first cups of coffee.

Whereas much of the debut resonates with his time in New York, Entrance Music “feels a little less ‘on the streets at 2 A.M.’ and a little more nature-based…a little more ethereal,” says Okonski. “It’s definitely age, environment, and family — all of that does come through in the music.”

Tracklist:
1. October
2. Vista
3. Lakebridge
4. Wind Or Vertigo
5. Passing Through
6. Summer Storm
7. Dahlia
8. Dusk
9. Penny

Spiritual Jazz 17 - SABA / MPS

All the Colours of the World in the Black Forest

‘High quality music to be enjoyed by many people all around the world, no matter where they are’ Andreas Brunner-Schwer, MPS Records

The German SABA and MPS family of labels extended this sentiment to include music from musicians all around the world, no matter where they were from - and here on Spiritual Jazz 17 SABA MPS we explore that very theme.

Throughout the ‘60s & ‘70s both labels released a wealth of music from a wealth of international jazz musicians coming from both North and South America, Europe, the Caribbean and the Far East. The aim was to release jazz that was exciting, innovative and interesting, regardless of style: there was swing, blues, bop, avant-garde, fusion – and spiritual jazz. Plurality became a defining feature and the immense breadth of their output made both SABA and MPS worthy European counterparts to American imprints such as Blue Note and Impulse.

On Spiritual Jazz 17 SABA MPS we feature, among others, international contributions from Americans Elvin Jones, Nathan Davis & Dave Pike, Europeans Pedro Iturralde, Jef Gilson, and George Gruntz, and the Japanese Hideo Shiraki. In our extensive liner notes we outline the history of the SABA and MPS labels, and go some way to explain the spirit and philosophy behind the long-standing record company and the musicians who bore their souls to the recording process.

Friedheim Schulz, who oversaw many of the sessions, has fond memories, “These guys had ideas, they had their special thing, it was the time when there were lots of ideas and new sounds and what have you, and [SABA proprietor] Hans Georg was always of the mind that people should do their own kind of music. So he gave them the chance to record and then he would just put out the albums and that was it! The musicians would really play what they wanted to play.”

Their great legacy is a lineage of music that has transcended the fatigues of time, and we’ve picked prime examples from the SABA & MPS catalogues to uphold our own legacy in our long-running series of Spiritual Jazz. 

Tracklist:
1. Tony Scott and The Indonesian Allstars - Gambang Suling
2. Elvin Jones Jazz Machine - Little Lady
3. Nathan Davis - Evolution
4. Dave Pike Set - Raga Jeeva Swara
5. Hideo Shiraki Quintet + 3 Koto Girls - Matsuri No Genzo
6. Albert Mangelsdorff Quartet - Never Let It End
7. Orchester Roland Kovac - Blue Dance
8. Fritz Pauer - Gratuliere - Movement A
9. Joachim Kühn Group - Depression and Illusion
10. George Gruntz - Hightime Keepsakes
11. Pedro Iturralde Quintet - Veleta de tu Viento
12. Jef Gilson Nonet - Suite Pour San Remo: Ouverture

Soulstance - Life Size

Soulstance is the famous monicker chosen by Lo Greco Bros, Enzo and Gianni, a duo capable to express latin and atmospheric jazz with an impeccable touch and a full mastery of instruments. With this new third album, “LifeSize”, they develop their familiar sound, a traveling guide through Brazilian music, the crazy world of soundtracks, nu-jazz-beats-bossa and Italian easy listening. Without a doubt we can say Soulstance did a nice job on making a new album that continuos the stylish relaxing grooves of “Act On” adding some new perspectives due to some smooth drum’n’bass and housy influences. Those new elements and wider directions, togheter with typical Soulstance sounds like flute and sax build a solid rhythmic groove, straight and fluid. But there is a side of Soulstance exploring more into latin sounds as well here. Take "Caribe' samba", "Zenith" or "Honesty" that nicely blends the Soulstance sound with Brazilian flavoured samba touches. Finally, some of the tracks, “Lift Up”, “Soul Ensemble” and “Nucleus” feature that fine combination of Acid/Bossa Jazz with lounge gestures plus those smooth touches of d’n’b and house. In a few words a superb album of uncompromising fine jazz-grooves!

Tracklist:
1. Caribe
2. Au Revoir La Nuit
3. Zenith
4. Lift Up
5. Honesty
6. Soul Ensemble
7. Lost On a Wave
8. Love Comes Again
9. Nucleus
10. Angel's Eyes
11. Life Size
12. High Five
13. The Time

Ol' Burger Beats - 74 Out of Time (Reimagined)

Norwegian producer Ole-Birger Neergård revisits 74: Out of Time with emotive ideations; new remixes featuring Fly Anakin, Pink Siifu, Gabe ‘Nandez, Quelle Chris, and other notables from the current vanguard of rap progressives. Weaving social and cultural themes throughout, this ambitious project is a corollary to the unrest and tension felt in 1974, a year of political disruption and disillusionment — not unlike our current state of affairs.

Neergård’s minimalistic approach contains multitudes, tracks with high levels of organization in its simplicity, with a jazz-anchored tapestry that also includes YUNGMORPHEOUS, lojii, and Tha God Fahim. On “Slippery,” a spiritually intimate profession, the enigmatic billy woods says: “I used to think the means justified the ends / I had it backwards, I made amends.”

This sense of numerology surrounding “74” underscores the project in other ways, specifically the sample palette, and a stark sense of activism, emphasized by songs titled, “Out of Life,” “Resting Rate” and “Wish I Could Go Back.” True to form, the entire album is paced at 74 BPM, with the cast of guests jutting in and out of OBB’s fluid arrangements, which can be bold when bare yet richly layered during flourishing moments.

1. Combinations (Intro)
2. Out of Life (feat. Ill Camille)
3. Same Time (feat. MoRuf)
4. Catch Your Breath (feat. Pink Siifu)
5. Once Upon a Time (feat. Gabe Nandez & Fly Anakin)
6. Slippery (feat. Billy Woods)
7. Up to Speed (feat. Tha God Fahim)
8. The New Day (feat. lojii & Ill Camille)
9. Resting Rate (feat. Awon)
10. All I Can Say Is (feat. YUNGMORPHEUS)
11. Sometimes (feat. lojii)
12. Wish I Could Go Back (feat. Quelle Chris)
13. Seven Times (feat. MoRuf)
14. History's Here (feat. Lil B & Vic Spencer)
15. Passion (feat. Oliver the 2nd & DJ Chali)

VA - Strata-East: The Legacy Begins

Strata-East: The Legacy Begins celebrates the revolutionary spirit of one of the most influential artist-owned independent jazz labels in history. This anthology, a partnership between Mack Avenue Music Group and Strata-East Records, brings together iconic tracks that embody Strata-East’s commitment to artistry and creative freedom. Featuring the explosive brilliance of Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell, the soulful expressions of The Heath Brothers, Charlie Rouse, Shamek Farrah, Pharoah Sanders, and more, the collection showcases cult classics from the label’s deep catalog while honoring the extraordinary artists who shaped its legacy.

This release not only marks the launch of the partnership between Strata-East and Mack Avenue Music Group but also delivers the label’s highest-quality audio anthology, transferred directly from the original master tapes and available digitally for the first time. A reflection of Strata-East’s dedication to spiritual jazz and social consciousness, this compilation invites listeners to rediscover classics or experience them anew. Strata-East: The Legacy Begins celebrates the timelessness of this music while marking the start of an exciting new chapter.

Tracklist:
1. Billy Harper - Sir Galahad
2. Clifford Jordan - John Coltrane
3. Stanley Cowell - Equipoise
4. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc - Felicite
5. Shamek Farrah - Watch What Happens Now
6. Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell - On the Nile
7. Charlie Rouse - Hopscotch
8. Pharoah Sanders - Prince of Peace
9. The Heath Brothers - Smilin' Billy Suite: Part II (feat. Stanley Cowell)
10. Cecil Payne - Martin Luther King, Jr. I Know Love
11. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc - Drought
12. Charles Brackeen - Rhythm X
13. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc - Spanning
14. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc - Truth
15. Cecil McBee - Voice of the 7th Angel
16. Harold Vick - Don't Look Back
17. Charles Tolliver - Lil's Paradise
18. The Piano Choir - Effi
19. John Hicks - My One and Only Love
20. John Gordon - Step by Step
21. Charles Tolliver - Ruthie's Heart
22. Charles Tolliver - For Love of What
23. Stanley Cowell - Sweet Song (feat. Billy Harper, Reggie Workman & Billy Hart
24. The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe, Bill Lee - Two Songs for a Boy Named Mark: a) Little Bitty Baby, b) Soliloquy to a Man-Child
25. The Brass Company, Bill Lee - Alias Buster Henry
26. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc - Earl's World
27. Stanley Cowell - Lullabye
28. The Piano Choir - Barbara Ann
29. Billy Parker - Get With It
30. Shamek Farrah, Sonelius Smith - The World of the Children
31. Charles Tolliver, Music Inc Orchestra - Impact
32. The New York Bass Violin Choir, Bill Lee - John Coltrane
33. John Hicks - Hell's Bells

Terrace Martin - Albion Files

The Crenshaw-based jazz producer, known for seamlessly blending hip-hop, R&B, and jazz, is preparing to drop his upcoming album Albion Files on February 28. As the first taste of the project, Full Speed is a high-energy offering that brings together three uniquely talented artists for an unexpected but captivating collaboration. This marks the first time Martin has worked with Ferg or DRAM, and the chemistry is undeniable.

Tracklist:
1. Full Speed (feat. DRAM & A$OP Ferg)
2. My Saturday (feat. Tone Trezure)
3. Mind My Business
4. Let’s Get Cozy
5. Not Sharing (feat. Ogi)
6. Valdez
7. Loveblind (feat. Preston Harris)
8. Valencia
9. Dear Dena (feat. Robert Glasper)
10. Albion Way