Aloe Blacc - Rock My Soul: Volume 1

Tracklist:
1. Black Hole Sun
2. Lithium
3. Don't Speak
4. Under The Bridge
5. When I Come Around

Sandman Project - Where Did You Go?

Sandman Project’s long awaited debut album Where Did You Go? is a borderless amalgam of brass heavy sounds, a document of a band whose musical tendencies mimic their open-minded ethic where Ethio- jazz, Afrobeat, American soul music and psychedelic, Mediterranean funk traverse.

Led by guitarist and composer Tal Sandman, Tel Aviv based Sandman Projects’s last release was in 2018 on their debut EP, their only existing recording. Six years later and it is no surprise this expansive work is positively brimming with an ocean of ideas, rooted in jazz, exceptionally crafted and boasting a myriad of musical pivots with a subtle but crucial production and synth touch by producer Tomer Baruch.

Absolutely key to this new recording and Tal’s adult musical upbringing and education is the ongoing influence of saxophonist Abate Barihun, sometimes known as the Ethiopian John Coltrane who is an Ethiopian Jew who emigrated to Israel in 1999. Whilst he doesn’t feature directly on the record, Tal has long been mentored and stewarded by him and she affirms that “his inspiration continues to play a crucial role in my creative process.”

And so, to the album’s title track Where Did you Go which oozes film- noir with Tal’s omnipresent Tizta sound using the Tezeta scales from Ethiopia dictating the mood whilst synths transcend and build an immersive soundscape something akin to Mulatu Astake jamming with the Fleet Foxes with Brian Eno-esque electronic manipulation.

The Sandman project line up comprises of 5 core musicians with Tal Sandman on electric guitar, Tal Avraham playing trumpet, Tal Eyal on percussion, Noam Cherchie on drums and Ariel Harrosh on bass. Additional synth and organ provided by producer Tomer Baruch and guest vocalist Dafna Shilon joins on the album closer The Other Side. The group all live in Tel Aviv with Tal living in the Jaffa neighborhood for 12 years and the official birth-place of the Sandman Project. Jaffa is a diverse urban region where Arabs, Jews, Christians and many more live harmoniously together and it’s here where Tal has been active in building community ties and where she has recently started learning Arabic. The recent and shocking violence and war in Israel and Palestine has strengthened the bonds within the Jaffa community and a sense of unity and desire for peace has pervaded echoing Tal’s wish for peace, for real and imagined boundaries to dissolve and war and survival to be replaced with compassion and humanity. Jaffa is also Tal’s place of respite and spiritual place of being, where she returned to after significant musical and creative excursions to Goa in India (where she formed the Goa Afrobeat Band) and to London where she created a branch of the Sandman Project.

Tal’s recent trip to Goa is effectively soundtracked on the album opener Karnataka, which borrows from the east, both the spirit and it’s drumming, inspired by a South Indian wedding ceremony. Trumpets and Tal’s incessant but measured guitar riffing using Indian scales transcends into a beautiful soundtrack of jazz and psychedelia energized with a propulsive funk. Temptation & Figs reverberates with a sly groove, an organ filled and chilled groove given a life affirming vibe with it repetitive and harmonized vocal pass building to a trumpet crescendo.

The cine flavoured edge of Sandman Project goes wide screen on The X Files as bizarre electronic gurgling remiss of early BBC Radiophonic recordings intertwine with horn stabs and a percussion solo. Further vintage synth excursions repeat on Cauda Equina, with Tal’s heavy fretting giving the track a funk feel, and a dreamy one as the trumpet builds. Dafna Shilon’s entrance at the end of the album on The Other Side is unique in that it brings a skank to proceedings and is the only lyrical song from the collection.

Six years in the waiting, and with plentiful personal and collective transformation giving Where Did You Go? a deeper sense of geography and global nuance, the new sound of Sandman Project is rich, porous and dreamy and essentially, full of hope.

Tracklist:
1. Karnataka
2. Intro Based On Fire
3. Based On Fire
4. Where Did You Go?
5. Cauda Equina
6. Chinese Box
7. Temptations & Figs
8. The X Files
9. Before The Storm
10. The Other Side

Finn Rees - Dawn Is A Melody

“Fans of Alice Coltrane and Arthur Verocai will find succour in his ancient/modern arrangements.” 4/5 - Mojo

“An effective snapshot of the talent and versatility of the young Melbourne jazz scene, and positions Rees as a bandleader, composer and musician whose profile, like that Tasmanian sun, is guaranteed to rise." - Jazzwise

Mr Bongo proudly presents the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based, Finn Rees. Gliding across a swirling palette of saturated hues, Dawn Is A Melody feels vintage yet vibrant, new but familiar at the same time. A spiritual, deep and textured jazz record, tipping its hat to greats from the past, capturing memories and reformulating them into new ideas with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest talent.

Expert keys player for the likes of 30/70 and Allysha Joy, alongside one-half of Close Counters, this debut LP was Finn’s conscious departure from the realm of groove-based jazz. Instead, Dawn Is A Melody places the piano and arrangements centre stage, giving Finn and his fellow Melbourne crew freedom to explore the spaces in between, new emotions and alternate soundscapes.

In Finn’s own words: “My intention with Dawn Is A Melody was to create a world; a microcosm of colour. Something rich and beautiful that allowed the melodies and compositions to reach their full potential. It was driven by hope, curiosity and the search for beauty and reassurance in this ever-changing world. The emotion behind the music is really about the journey of life, growing up and changing, as well as my relationship with Tasmania’s natural landscapes where I grew up, a part of the world that is incredibly unique and beautiful.”

The album arcs between opening, middle and end. Beginning with the optimism of ‘Looking Up’ and ‘Lagoon’, the former a celestial, string and harp marbled slice of positivity, the latter a spiritual journey of exuberance and hope, Finn’s fingers dancing across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano. From there the songs blossom outwards with the cinematic soulful journey of ‘It’s Behind Me Now’ and Brazilian-inspired ‘Expansion’, as the divine ‘Crossing’ signals a transition to a new realm. The energy is transformed from the rich cosmic textures to a more intimate and personal feeling with ‘Ablaze’, ‘Between Spaces’ and ‘As It Passes’ which blissfully fades down to simply piano and strings to close out the record.

Recorded at Rolling Stock in Collingwood, Melbourne, Henry Jenkins was drafted in as recording and mix engineer, his minimal vintage mic setups giving a live aesthetic and warmth to the arrangements. Lucky Pereira and Blakely McLean Davies form the rock-solid rhythm section, with a hand-picked line-up of other Melbourne talent on display, including Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, Audrey Powne on trumpet and Allysha Joy on vocals to name only a few.

Plotting a course from Alice Coltrane, through Herbie Hancock, to Arthur Verocai, this is a debut nourished by the past but firmly made in the present. A record unable to be age-stamped, casting ambiguity as to when, what era and by whom it has been crafted. Like a vintage lens capturing a current scene, Dawn Is A Melody is warm and familiar yet focused on the here now.

Tracklist:
1. Looking Up
2. Lagoon
3. Horizons
4. It's Behind Me Now
5. Expansion
6. End Of The Line
7. Crossing
8. Ablaze
9. Between Spaces
10. As It Passes

VA - Entangled Grounds - The Sound of XJAZZ! Berlin

This one of a kind compilation united the brightest minds of the Berlin music community on one record to represents the DNA of the local jazz scene. Recorded over five wintery days in 2023 at Brewery Studios, unique collaborations were made alongside individual artists to showcase the sound so often experienced each year at XJAZZ!. Featured artists included Szabolcs 'Szabi' Bognár (Àbáse), Moses Yooffee, douniah, Sera Kalo, Sofia Efty, Z.F.E.X, Wayne Snow, Sonic Interventions, Sofia Efty, Petter Eldh and a specially commissioned suite featuring A Song For You with string arrangements from Zacharias Falkenberg.

Tracklist:
1. Group 26.11 – Follow Me (feat. Wayne Snow, Petter Eldh, Szabolcs Bognár, Ori Jacobson, Lukas Akintaya & Àbáse)
2. Zuza Jasińska & Moses Yoofee – Still Waiting
3. Zacharias S. Falkenberg – I Declare Maximum Boredom
4. Sera Kalo, Marius Max, Nick Dunston & dylan greene – AFENI
5. douniah – In the middle of the night
6. Sofia Eftychidou – sunflower
7. Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange – Lady in Scarlet
8. Àbáse – Ohm Eleven (feat. Petter Eldh, Ori Jacobson & Lukas Akintaya)
9. Sonic Interventions – Can't Uproot Me
10. Moses Yoofee, Petter Eldh, Szabolcs Bognár & Zacharias S. Falkenberg – The Brewery Suite (feat. Ori Jacobson, Monica Mussungo & Paulo Cedraz)

Delta - Lost Dubs 1

Tracklist:
1. Anemophobia
2. XYZ Cannon
3. Xerxes
4. Tenko VIP
5. Swanton
6. Nothing Here
7. Jagged Edge Instrumental
8. Force One
9. Flutez
10. Armed Response

Robert Glasper - Let Go

“My whole career, everybody’s been saying my music is meditative,” Robert Glasper tells Apple Music. “People say they study to my music, they pray to my music, they do yoga to my music, they just zone out. People have wanted me to do this for a long time.” The Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer is talking about the direction of his latest album Let Go, a project he created in partnership with Apple Music with the express intention of helping listeners recalibrate mentally. “I wouldn't call it the ‘meditation project’ or nothing like that,” Glasper says. “But it’s something you can put on that helps you find your center. It's just something that quiets the world and allows you to see what’s within.” Let Go may be the first Glasper project with an overtly meditative direction, but it’s hardly the first time the man has approached creating from an altruistic angle. Glasper says that his last proper release, 2022’s Black Radio III, was concocted in an effort to uplift some of his favorite voices, an undertaking that yielded collaborations with names like Q-Tip, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gregory Porter, Killer Mike, and Esperanza Spalding, artists who exist across the jazz, hip-hop, and R&B spaces he so regularly traverses between. “I wasn’t going to do a Black Radio III,” Glasper says of the beloved series in which previous installments have also played out like pitch-perfect Grammy-week jam sessions. “I didn’t feel like it was needed—and then I don’t want to become a broken record with this shit. But then when COVID hit, I felt like a musical first responder. I felt like I could really help people with that record—and it could help me. It’ll give me something to do and it’ll give other artists something to do.” Two years out from that project, what the world needs now—according to Glasper—is peace, sweet peace, a mission that requires a particular kind of instrumental support. Here, that means cherished Glasper collaborators like drummer Kendrick Scott, bassist Burniss Travis, and guitarist Chris Sholar, players Glasper knew would bolster this album’s very particular energy. “The musicians are very, very important because they have to have that same flow and that same center,” he says. “The drummer that’s on here, he’s a water sign. Everything he plays is water. He feels like water. And that’s what I wanted for this. I wanted it to be liquid.” Coincidentally, esteemed singer and bassist Ndegeocello guests on a song called “Breathing Underwater,” one of the album’s few vocal moments. Otherwise, we’re hearing from Glasper directly, serving to further articulate why he needed to deliver Let Go in this moment. “Every year I make a record, I'm more of myself,” Glasper says. “I’m growing up, I’ve lived more life, I’m really telling my story. The way you find your sound is you write music—and anything you write, it’s going to be the only thing like that in the world.”

Tracklist:
1. Breathing Underwater (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)
2. Your Eyes
3. Let Go
4. Inner Voice
5. Round ‘bout Sunlight
6. Going Home
7. That One Morning
8. Awakening Dawn (3:34)
9. Luna’s Lullaby (feat. Burniss Travis)
10. Deep Down
11. Enoch’s Meditation
12. I Am
13. Truth Journey

Big Bud, Furney & A Sides - Pioneers, Legends & Icons Of Liquid Drum & Bass Music

Liquid Drum & Bass 4 Autism presents: Pioneers, Legends & Icons of Liquid Drum & Bass Music Like fine wine that improves in flavor and increases in value over time, this unprecedented musical release featuring 30-year pioneer drum & bass producer Big Bud teamed up with the legendary Furney and drum & bass icon A Sides, will last the tests of time as not only a classic but as one of the most memorable drum & bass compilation albums of its time. Fittingly and in remarkably similar spirit, the beloved drum & bass MC/lyricist Tali makes a musical appearance in a cross collaboration with A Sides, singing her smash hit 'Rise To The Top'. So, put on your most comfortable dancing shoes, open that bottle of wine you've been saving, set the EQ/bass levels to your liking and enjoy this musical masterpiece. LDNB4Autism is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Please know 100%% of all sales and streams donated to students and teachers for autism research. Your support is deeply appreciated. What are some people saying about this release? LTJ BUKEM: 'Wicked tunes' Grammy-nominated artist Jay Cappo a.k.a. DJ Stunna - 'Another great album of refined DNB'

Tracklist:
1. A Sides – Delicate Beginnings
2. Big Bud – Look Deeper
3. Furney – Destiny Unfolding Within
4. A Sides & Tali – Rise To The Top
5. Big Bud – Eva
6. Furney – The Way To Get To You [The Glory Tribute Remix]
7. Furney – Fantastic Passion
8. Big Bud – Purple People
9. A Sides – Heatwave
10. Furney – Carson
11. Big Bud – Green It Was
12. A Sides – A Portrait Ending

Chop - MILS013: Glass Cathedral

Entry #13: Chop, engineer/producer/synthophile and sample source to the likes of DOOM and Ye, brings clerestory electronic and psychedelic grooves. Featuring Malcolm Catto.

Tracklist:
1. Out to Lunch, Pt. 1
2. Oscillo
3. Mutant
4. Monolith
5. Trigger
6. Omilation
7. Glass Cathedral
8. Strange Dream
9. Out to Lunch, Pt. 2
10. Patchwork
11. Leuterisms
12. Flip
13. XYZ
14. Tub
15. Rioflection
16. Psycho Bubble
17. The End

Greg Foat & Gigi Masin - The Fish Factory Sessions

Fresh off the heels of their critically acclaimed collaboration album "Dolphin", UK jazz metro Greg Foat and Venetian electronic luminary Gigi Masin join forces once again for The Fish Factory Sessions, an exclusive release for Record Store Day 2024.

This mesmerising studio session was recorded during a live performance at Antonio Feola’s beloved Fish Factory Studios in London, in August 2022. The ensemble that enchanted listeners on "Dolphin" reassembles, featuring the talents of Greg Foat, Gigi Masin, Moses Boyd on drums, and Tom Herbert on bass.

Within this ambient, somewhat Balearic journey, you'll find alternate renditions of Masin's poignant tribute to his late wife, 'Sabena,' and the atmospheric 'Viento Calido,' both of which graced the original "Dolphin" release. In addition, the album introduces two fresh compositions: the uplifting 'Jubilation' and the extended freestyle opus 'Three Piece Suite,' representing some of the most inspired recordings from their collaboration to date.

Released as a limited single LP, The Fish Factory Sessions is pressed on translucent sky blue vinyl housed in an untreated card sleeve with spot varnish. Mastered by Mark Ashfield at Cosmic Audio.

Tracklist:
1. Jubilation
2. Sabena
3. Three Piece Suite
4. Viento Calido

Homeboy Sandman & Mono En Stereo - Rich II

Tracklist:
1. Don’t Even Think About It
2. People
3. Every Day
4. Need A Woman
5. Mayor Koch
6. Leave Me Alone
7. Win Win
8. Summertime
9. Thank You
10. The Place I Want To Be
11. Dream Come True

The Brkn Record - The Architecture of Oppression Part 2

Introducing "The Architecture of Oppression Part 2" - the highly anticipated follow-up to Jake Ferguson's critically acclaimed debut album - Part 1. Ferguson is recognised as the ‘other half’ of The Heliocentrics, producing his solo work under the moniker, The Brkn Record. Effortlessly merging the realms of music and activism, he has created a groundbreaking album, which is set to be one of the most important bodies of work that illustrate ongoing systemic racism this side of the millennium.

Ferguson takes the listener to a world where artistry and social consciousness intersect. Crafting an array of captivating soundscapes and themes. This album showcases the vocal talents of both established artists and hidden gems discovered through Ferguson's day-job as a former charity CEO and community activist.

While Part 1 served as a rallying cry to dismantle oppressive systems, Part 2 offers a compelling soundtrack of a Pro-Black world reclaiming its destiny. This thought-provoking art piece invites listeners to envision alternative paths while avoiding the pitfalls of past paradigms.

Unlike a broken record, this The Brkn Record album keeps pushing boundaries—

By enlisting the voices of The Global Majority, The Brkn Record creates a platform for genuine expression through sound. Renowned for his production skills, Ferguson has captured the admiration of industry heavyweights including Nas, Madlib and Kanye West. However, rather than seeking popular features, he chooses to amplify the authentic perspectives of the talented youth he collaborates with in Hackney.

One such initiative supported by Ferguson, Account Hackney, introduced him to two gifted artists showcased on this album – Great Okosun and Yolanda Lear.

‘This album serves as a visceral demonstration of my anger at the racially founded status quo in this country and globally. The continued oppression of people on the basis of their race is beyond evil, it's common place and needs to end. Simple as.’

The album also sees Ferguson joining forces with award winning laureate Anthony Joseph and legendary hip-hop MC Percee P - their dynamic and thought-provoking lyrics seamlessly intertwine with expertly produced musical landscapes.

"The Architecture of Oppression Part 2" is not just an album; it is a transformative journey that challenges the listener and wants you to ‘feel’. It’s Art. A musical experience that inspires, compels, and empowers. Over to you!

Tracklist:
1. Black Gold
2. Cut the Cheque
3. Skull Tax
4. We Need Freedom
5. Believe
6. Indifference
7. Why Do They Fear Us
8. Intensity in Five
9. Prison of Skin
10. The Walls of Jericho

Kaidi Tatham - Fusion Moves (The Instrumentals)

Reel People Music breathes new life into its gleaming vault of back catalogue classics with brand new series Fusion Moves. The series will offer talented music-makers the opportunity to remix and reinterpret label releases of their choosing, kicking off with soulful progressive Kaidi Tatham in the hot seat.

Tatham’s modus operandi is clear from the get-go. Opening selection Sebb Junior feat. Paula’s All Of My Life flows dreamily upon that trademark Tatham mix of organic beats, polished horns and immersive keys. As Paula rightly sings, “the beautiful can happen.” And keep happening…. Reel People feat. Mica Paris’ reworked I Want To Thank You gains elegant funk and boogie bounce, a bubblin b-line and those upweighted backing vocals adding new urgency and depth, whilst some extended bass-end manoeuvrings on the collective’s 2020 hit Save a Lil Love provide a hugely effective counterpoint to Eric Roberson’s super-smooth vocals.

Tatham switches things up for his re-take of The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae’s deep afro-house burner On The Road, adding wonderfully carefree jazz-funk flow ‘n’ feeling replete with sweet synth solos and guitar licks. The snappy syncopated rhythms propelling Daz-I-Kue feat. Hadiya George’s Pedigree and Monkey Brothers feat. Sean Escoffery’s stunning Losin’ My Head align to the rich broken beat heritage for which most admirers associate him but, true to form, he continues to glide compellingly between mood and moves….

From the loose bass-guitar groove of Eric Ericksson & Reel People feat. Debra Debs’ Don’t Hold Back On Love and sultry strut and swagger of AAries’ Don’t Give It Up to Sebb Junior feat. Muhsinah’s infectiously jammin’ Special – lovingly framed by nimble jazz-piano play – and the liberatingly upbeat dressing applied to Tony Momrelle’s seminal Fly, Tatham’s sonic upholstery right across Fusion Moves is as skilful as it is impactful. One expert body of work built upon another.

“I know Reel People Music’s discography so well that I had a pretty immediate sense of the tracks I wanted to work with once they gave me the keys to their kingdom,” Tatham explains. “For each song I closed my eyes, imagined playing them live on stage and let the chords and musicality fire from there. My sound incorporates so many different styles, from hip-hop and broken beat to soul and disco. It’s a perfect fit for Fusion Moves. The Reel People team share my mission statement to make people dance, smile and think.”

Based in Belfast, Kaidi Tatham is the multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ who helped to define West London’s iconic broken beat sound during the late Nineties but who has continued to operate beyond genres and pigeonholes – be that via albums including In Search Of Hope, Bandana and Don’t Rush The Process, his dance music-focused pseudonym Agent K and a raft of collaborations including those with Bugz In The Attic, 4Hero, Amp Fiddler, Amy Winehouse and Slum Village.

Reel People Music is a label borne out of the soulful success of acclaimed collective Reel People but representing so much more. Launched in late 2009, the imprint has built a fiercely loyal international fanbase through its passion for artist development, musicianship, song-craft and soulful groove. Label alumni include Tony Momrelle, Portia Monique, The Layabouts, Kelli Sae, Sebb Junior, Opolopo, Angela Johnson, Emmaculate and Mothers Favorite Child.

Expect to hear further Fusion Moves in the coming months. Fresh twists on quality songs and sounds. Always with soulful authenticity at the heart.

Tracklist:
1. Sebb Junior – All Of My Life (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
2. The Realm – On The Road (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
3. Reel People – I Want To Thank You (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
4. Daz-I-Kue – Pedigree (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
5. Eric Ericksson – Don’t Hold Back On Love (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
6. Reel People – Save A Lil Love (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
7. Aaries – Don’t Give It Up (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
8. Monkey Brothers – Losin’ My Head (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
9. Sebb Junior – Special (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)
10. Tony Momrelle – Fly (Kaidi Tatham Instrumental Remix)

musclecars - Sugar Honey Iced Tea!

Sugar Honey Iced Tea! is the highly anticipated debut album from musclecars, set for a May 2024 release on BBE Music. Having already established their presence in the club scene, from the joyous atmosphere of their Coloring Lessons parties to their residency at Nowadays in NYC, and with genre-bending performances worldwide, musclecars are eager to unveil this new world they've intentionally crafted.

This forthcoming album comprises 13 tracks that sonically come together to offer a profound lens into the Afro-American experience. Themes range from joy, to loss, intimacy, helplessness, perseverance, and all the facets that lie in between. From the very first tune, musclecars set the tone with an exploration of afro-dystopia, carrying listeners through the entire album whilst creating imaginary futures born out of self-preservation and self-discovery.

Through their practice of sonic storytelling, native New Yorkers Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield use this album to speak to the nuances of their daily lives and their environment. Join them on this musical journey as they delve into a collection that captures the essence of the black experience with authenticity, emotion, and rhythm. This album stands as one of their favorite bodies of work in recent memory, and they're so excited to share it with you.

Tracklist:
1. The Afro-American Conundrum (Where does that leave us?)
2. Dream Boy
3. Tonight
4. Every Party Must Come To An End
5. Running Out Of Time
6. Carlos Sanchez Interlude
7. Hello?
8. Ha Ya! (Eternal Life)
9. I Don’t Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars
10. Circles I (Prelude)
11. Circles II
12. There's Space For Us All
13. Water

David Versace - Eye to Eye

Recorded in Meanjin/Brisbane on the unceded lands of the Jagera and Turrbal people.

Tracklist:
1. Heart to Heart
2. Full Moon Sprint
3. With Time
4. You Really Mean It
5. Same Signals
6. Red Dirt
7. New Day
8. Capricorn

Onra - Nosthaigia

The genesis of "Nosthaigia" is as fascinating as the music itself. Onra spent several years living in Thailand, immersing himself in the vibrant culture and scouring local record shops for rare gems. The result is a collection of Thai songs from various genres, all sourced on 7 inches. These short instrumentals serve as time capsules, transporting listeners to a bygone era filled with nostalgia and longing.

Produced entirely on the MPC1000 in 2017 and revisited in 2020, "Nosthaigia" is a testament to the power of serendipity and artistic evolution. What began as a casual exploration of unfamiliar musical territory blossomed into a deeply personal and meaningful project for Onra. Amidst a series of unfortunate life events, he found solace and inspiration in the beats he had crafted years prior.

Each track on "Nosthaigia" is a reflection of his journey, a sonic expression of longing and introspection. Onra describes the process of creating the album as a cathartic release, a way of letting go of old memories and embracing the present.

Despite the somber undertones, there is a quiet beauty to "Nosthaigia" that is impossible to ignore. Onra's vintage production skills breathe life into each track, infusing them with warmth and depth. From the haunting melodies of "Until The End" to the hypnotic rhythms of "Close Your Eyes And Remember" every moment feels poignant.

In the end, "Nosthaigia" is more than just an album; it's a testament to the human experience. It's a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty to be found, if only we're willing to listen.

Tracklist:
1. Bkk Blues
2. Until The End
3. Hand In Hand
4. Close Your Eyes And Remember
5. The Man Who Owed The Money
6. Memories
7. Purple Flowers
8. Chocolate Thai
9. In The Mist
10. Under The Frangipani Tree
11. One More Time
12. How It's Supposed To Be
13. Masquerade
14. The Cost
15. You Know
16. Old Photos
17. Eternally Grateful

Carlos Nino & Friends - Placenta

Placenta is the fourth collection of broadly imaginative and highly collaborative Carlos Niño & Friends music released on International Anthem in the last four years. It is also the first new music to be released by Carlos Niño & Friends following the November 2023 release of André 3000’s New Blue Sun – an album which Carlos produced alongside André, while co-writing, co-creating/playing, and co-mixing every song.

Placenta is announced on April 11th, 2024, a date chosen because it is the 1st solar return of Moss Niño (a new being in human form, who Carlos and his partner Annelise are Earth parents of). Their experience of pregnancy, labor and delivery were all profoundly impactful for Carlos. Becoming a father again (a whole 24 years after the birth of Azul Niño, who has become a regular artistic collaborator with Carlos) he felt total Inspiration for this set of recordings, and hence it is perhaps the most conceptually-grounded Carlos Niño & Friends album we've yet to present – fully connected to the spirit of family, birth, and "how we get here."

Tracklist:
1. Love to all Doulas!
2. Some rest for the Midwives . . .
3. Real Vital Organs
4. Surges, Expansions
5. In Appreciation of Chico Hamilton's Vast Influence on the West Coast Sound
6. Birthworkers Magic, and how we get hear . . .
7. This "I" was not
8. Placenta, Nourishment, New Home, The Galaxy
9. Carla's Beads
10. Moonlight Watsu in Dub
11. Generous Pelvis
12. Bi-Location
13. "Play Kerri Chandler's RAIN"

Fat Produce - Fresh Squeeze

F-Spot Records proudly presents the debut LP "Fresh Squeeze" from Miami-based soul jazz trio Fat Produce. Led by guitarist Addison Rifkind (The Soul Vaccinators) and drummer Michael Duffy (The White Blinds, Jungle Fire), this duo is joined by world-renowned bass player Rene Camacho (Poncho Sanchez, War) to bring you 14 all-new and original soul jazz instrumental cuts that's a guaranteed head-nodder from start to finish.

When Rifkind and Duffy first met on a gig with organist Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players), both felt an instant chemistry musically, and the seeds of Fat Produce were born. In sharing their passion for classic soul jazz, in addition to funk and hip-hop, Rifkind and Duffy started to dive in, taking the idea of a guitar trio to new heights unlike anything you've heard before. After a year of playing gigs and honing their craft, both descended back to their hometown of Los Angeles, CA, to meet up with Rene Camacho and spend two days recording at The F-Spot HQ under the helm of producer and label owner David M Celia. Recording all live in one room to 1/2" tape, the resulting sessions truly captured the essence of Fat Produce's sound. Forced to be in the moment tracking live with no overdubs, "Fresh Squeeze" highlights the authentic tone and feeling from those two special days spent breathing new life into the guitar trio format.

From the more straight-ahead soul jazz tunes like "Sticky Beets" and "Slick" to more outside-the-box cuts like "SON!" and the afrobeat-inspired "Afrenetic," rounded out with groove-focused compositions such as "Cadillac Converter," Grease on the Range," and "818 Don't Hate," this LP brings a variety of styles and feels, while all keeping it under the same umbrella of guitar, upright bass, and drums. Highlighting the chordal and melodic stylings of Addison Rifkind, the signature drum tone and feel of Michael Duffy, and tastefully executed playing from bassist Rene Camacho, "Fresh Squeeze" is the perfect sonic experience. From the first note on side A to the last hit on side B, it's a full sound, a timeless listen, and one slated to be on repeat for decades to come.

Tracklist:
1. Cadillac Converter
2. Fresh Squeeze
3. Sticky Beets
4. Interlude No. 1
5. Afrenetic
6. Grease on the Range
7. Interlude No. 2
8. 818 Don't Hate
9. SON!
10. Slick
11. Interlude No. 3
12. Clapper Dapper
13. Lo-Fi Beats to Study To
14. Outro

Rhythm Rhyme Revolution - Summertime Sunshine Girl

Rythm Rhyme Revolution (Barrie Sharpe & Gareth Tasker): Gareth plays & Barrie produces. Their sound is individual - based upon the funk of the 70s – however, with a totally modern production...

Barrie K Sharpe, as most know, was one of the four creators of Duffer, one of the two creators of the ‘Rare Groove’ scene and in the band that was said to have defined Acid Jazz - Diana Brown & The Brothers. Barrie was very much at the forefront of the movement that changed youth culture in the mid 80s.

Diana Brown & The Brothers metamorphosed into The Brand New Heavies, The Young Disciples: along with Diana Brown Barrie had the first Acid Jazz style commercial success with their track ‘Masterplan’...

“I designed the clothes, ran the club, played the records, was in the band and made the music, which created the scene that changed youth culture worldwide. I just kept falling up hill”...

Barrie talks regarding his musical partner Gareth Tasker:

“Gareth is a major part of the sound, he plays all the instrumentation on every track; which he also co-writes.

Gareth is the unsung hero of the Acid Jazz scene. We have been working together since 1987 – a fuckin’ musical genius”... (Scribed by Mary Louise Ejiwunmi)

Tracklist:
1. Summertime (NuAcid Funk Part 1&2)
2. Sunshine Girl
3. Summertime
4. Summertime (NuAcid Funk Part 1)
5. Summertime (NuAcid Funk Part 2)

Fred P - As We Journey On

Tracklist:
1. Happy Endings [Unreleased Arthouse Version]
2. Mystical Sunrise
3. Made Me Say
4. Motivated Inspiration
5. FP Beat Edit 8
6. High Fusion
7. In the Flow
8. Beauty and Peace
9. Dreams
10. The Everlasting Sea
11. Profound Science

Lafayette Afro-Rock Band - Soul Makossa

Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of the funk/Afro classic, Lafayette Afro Rock Band's 'Soul Makossa' from 1973. First in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Records. Tracks sampled by Biz Markie, LL Cool J, Kruder & Dorfmeister and more. First official reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s classic funk and breakbeat album from 1973. Fully remastered from original tapes by The Carvery.

Tracklist:
A1. Soul Makossa
A2. Azeta
A3. Oglenon
B1. Voodounon
B2. Hihache
B3. Nicky

Badbadnotgood - Mid Spiral: Order

Tracklist:
1. Playgroup
2. Juan's World
3. Taco Taco
4. Sétima Regra
5. Sunday Afternoon's Dream
6. Rewind Your Mind

Nikitch, Alexis Moutzouris - II

"Early Music of the Year candidate? We think it might be." Offie Mag

French DJ, producer, and musician Nicolas Morant, aka Nikitch, joins forces with composer, clarinettist, and saxophonist Alexis Moutzouris on their debut EP ‘II’. The pair decided to call the project “II” (“deux” in French) to denote their creative collaboration.

The six-track EP showcases compelling melodies that interweave the ethereal tones of flute, saxophone, and clarinet into a unified voice, while dynamic rhythms pulsate and synthesisers delve into the intricacies of darkened chord progressions. Nikitch's electronic compositions seamlessly integrate with Alexis Moutzouris' melodious contributions, resulting in a cohesive musical narrative.

“Here, the body surrenders to the dance's call, and the mind escapes through the music” Nikitch & Alexis Moutzouris

Beginning with a simple clarinet riff “Sans Titres” immediately sets a vast and airy stage for what's to come on ‘II’. “Hugo (Part 1)” introduces a rhythmic turn reminiscent of South American clave rhythms. At the same time, deep basslines weave harmony and rhythm into a hypnotic and introspective incantation, gradually giving way to subtle Rhodes chords drowned in delay.

“Ouroboros” delves into the heart of the matter, driven by brisk, fast-paced basslines that heighten tension, while the broken beat rhythm intensifies. “Oceans (Live)” introduces light-inspired sounds as new instruments that gently guide the listener back towards tranquility. The tempo accelerates, and “The Sky Darkens” with the dense harmonies of “Virga”, where rhythm hits harder and the synthesiser unfolds, threatening acid-like arpeggios, until the flute and saxophone transform the landscape. “Hugo (Part 2)” returns the ear to the original experimental tone of the EP, described as “A final gaze into the fertile depths of chaos sonic creation” Nikitch & Alexis Moutzouris

Starting as a classical musician, Nikitch switched gears to hone his craft as a DJ and producer, carving his signature sound early on with jazz and electronic music influences. He quickly gained support from notable names like Laurent Garnier and Gilles Peterson. Nikitch's musical endeavours include two albums, ‘Débuts’ and ‘Back and Forth’, released alongside partner Kuna Maze on Tru Thoughts. Alongside these collaborations, Nikitch has explored solo projects, including his debut album 'Chromatism' on Casamance (2021), as well as partnerships with other artists such as rapper Grems and singer-songwriter Andreya Triana, all contributing to the refinement of his distinctive sound.

Alexis Moutzouris, hailing from Greece, has been co-leading the Marthe act since 2017. Marthe has seen international acclaim, with over a hundred concerts since its inception. Heading various ensembles, Alexis Moutzouris infuses his compositions with diverse global influences and collaborates with esteemed artists such as Thomas de Pourquery, Mike Ladd, Angeliki Pardali, Kaliroï Raouzeou, Bacem Yousfi and Djemdi, among others.

Influenced by the likes of Ezra Collective and R+R=Now from the UK Jazz scene, the duo fuse flute, saxophone, and clarinets into a unified voice on debut EP ‘II’. The rhythmic palette of Nikitch's electronic music seamlessly intertwines with the enchanting melodies of Alexis Moutzouris, creating a cohesive musical narrative.

Tracklist:
1. Sans Titres
2. Hugo (Part 1)
3. Ouroboros
4. Ocean (Live)
5. Virga
6. Hugo (Part 2)

blu - abc

Tracklist:
1. Do U C
2. Doe Boy
3. I Love You
4. Hip Hop
5. Do You Love Me
6. Yo It’s Return The Record
7. Girls
8. Beeper Buddy
9. Her Fav Color
10. Ode
11. Green Eyes
12. Compton Watts
13. The Good Children & Heaven
14. Blowin In The Wind
15. Lil Elvis

Badbadnotgood - Mid Spiral: Growth

Tracklist:
1. First Love
2. Audacia
3. Celestial Hands
4. Ways of Seeing
5. White Light

Bryony Jarman-Pinto - Below Dawn

“Sounding glorious… Remember that name, Bryony Jarman-Pinto” Huw Stephens (BBC 6Music)

“A superbly talented singer-songwriter!” Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM)

"So wonderful” Sian Eleri (Radio 1 / Selector Radio)

“‘Below Dawn’; A majestic song cycle that grapples with parenthood, identity, and personal evolution" CLASH

‘Below Dawn’ is the second studio album by singer, songwriter and musician, Bryony Jarman-Pinto. As it traverses sentimental themes, from societal change and untapped emotions to the profound journey of pregnancy and motherhood, the album exudes an aura of intimacy. This emotional depth is complemented by Bryony's distinctive, harmonious vocals and the infusion of jazz-inspired melodies. ‘Below Dawn’ is a deeply personal and transformative musical journey, the title encapsulates this transition beautifully. “This album speaks about myself just before I gave birth and stepped into a new era, so the name reflects that underlying hidden catalyst” Bryony adds. The album is produced by Ben Lamdin, aka label-mate Nostalgia 77, whose credits include writing and producing for artists such as Jamie Cullum, Alice Russell, and Jeb Loy Nichols.

‘Below Dawn''s inception coincided with the initial stages of the pandemic, and the early songs capture the emotional turmoil of those times. These tracks served as a cathartic release for the tensions and frustrations experienced during lockdown. The album opens with Bryony’s heartfelt reactions to societal challenges, beginning with the uplifting, playful “Water Come”, an invitation to cleanse the residual fear, anxiety and ignorance induced by these external factors. As Bryony grapples with the disarray, she finds space to speak up on “O” as a therapeutic expression of stifled thoughts that often fall by the wayside. The fluttering chords and bass-line were written together with Dwayne Kilvington, recent Nala Sinphero collaborator, to pair with the ever-poetic lyrics that Bryony had been working on. “Leap” continues this conversation with herself and humanity, as she vocalises her observations of the BLM activism at the time and gives thought to her own experiences, highlighting that ignorance leads to inaction with the line “Closed eyes won’t see”.

Elsewhere, “Deep” blossomed from a vocal improvisation that Bryony took from a Jazz Workshop she ran through lockdown. Now a nocturne, the love song is dedicated to Bryony’s partner at the point that they decided to start a family, beautifully summed up by the line “we are golden light, about to dawn”, linking back to the title of the project.

Down the line, as life took a momentous turn with Bryony becoming a mother, the themes of her songwriting moved closer to home. The second half of ‘Below Dawn’ delves into her inner world, exploring emotions and relationships within her new family. “Frida-Rae” exemplifies this raw emotion in the form of a stripped-back lullaby that describes the excitement and endless joy of falling more and more in love each morning with your newborn, who the track is named after. Amid these familial reflections, the penultimate song, “Station Road” revisits fond, childhood memories as an ode to times spent with her Grandma. The slow, moving keys and rich double bass soundtrack Bryony's warming, nostalgic sentiments which are revisited in the acapella version “Bathe Me In (Station Road Acapella)”, allowing listeners to revisit the gentle, hypnotic serenade.

1. Water Come
2. O
3. Deep
4. Moving Forward
5. Leap
6. Feel Those Things
7. Riverside
8. Bathe In Me
9. Frida-Rae
10. Willow
11. Station Road

Four Tet - Three +

Kieran Hebden is arguably at the height of his career so far, making Three his most highly anticipated Four Tet album yet. Since the 2020 triple drop of Sixteen Oceans, Parallel, and 871, Hebden has been pretty much ubiquitous in the scene, from all dayers with Skrillex and Fred again.. to revered collaborations with Madvillain, Burial, Thom Yorke, and William Tyler. And as multifaceted as the cover design by Jason Evans and Matthew Cooper would imply, Three capitalises on a busy decade in progress with an amalgamation of all things we love from Four Tet: ambient sonics meeting crisp club beats, glorious MIDI instruments paired with noise and intricate texture, celebrations of his eclectic influences from hip hop, folk, electronic and abstract sound art that coalesce ever so sweetly into a concise tracklist bursting with life.

There’s always a sense of brightness and joy to the feasts of electronic articulations that Hebden prepares, where gauzy psychedelic guitars open a hypnagogic portal to boom bap inflected grooves and mosaics of choral synths. The cerebral, enigmatic moments of scribbling glass plucks amplified into distorted ethereal waves are offset by rejuvenating pools of ambience, lax downtempo beats with reverb throws like skipping stones, and rosy hued melodies swaying and slingshotting across the scales.

For the ravers, there’s the battery acid soaked electro rhythm of ‘Daydream Repeat’, evidence of the dance muscles Hebden’s been flexing with his KH singles as a roiling throttle is overtaken by idyllic glittering harps, flipping the track from sweat-drenched heater to luscious euphoric aftermath. For the romantics, there’s the frothing drums and subtle snatches of vocals commanding space all over the album, capturing a full, heartfelt sense of depth that hums, buzzes, and vibrates in the awestriking closer ‘Three Drums’.

Whether you’ve just become acquainted with Four Tet or you’ve known him for a lifetime, Three is a stunning work from an inimitable talent.

Tracklist:
1. Loved
2. Gliding Through Everything
3. Storm Crystals
4. Daydream Repeat
5. Skater
6. 31 Bloom
7. So Blue
8. Three Drums
9. I'll Miss the System Here
10. Scythe Master
11. Mango Feedback
12. Watersynth

DJ Muggs - MILS012: Silver Cloud

Entry #12: DJ Muggs takes the Soul Assassins approach to source music - Deep, Dark, Dank.

Tracklist:
1. Angel Dust
2. Gold Vinyl
3. No Time
4. Old Piano
5. 40 Deuce
6. Stress Monster
7. Calm Down
8. Profile
9. Excellence
10. Rockapella
11. Long Lizard
12. Silver Cloud
13. Strawberry Whores And Crack
14. Omega
15. Religion Of The Street
16. Static Electricity
17. Fast Arp

Kiefer, Luke Titus, Pera Krstajic - Something For Real

This version was performed live from Los Angeles in April 2023. Kiefer chose not to tell his collaborators Luke and Pera that the show was being recorded, giving the performance “a spark that can only exist when the art is organic and simple.” The song joins a selection of live favorites from Kiefer’s catalog as well as a brand new track – “Something For Real.” The live album was conceived as a project without rules – “three friends playing for each other, for fun. With friends, for friends. Something for real!”

Something For Real follows last year’s It’s Ok, B U, a record that saw Kiefer return to his beat-making roots. Stay tuned for more music coming soon, including the trip performing in session for NPR’s Tiny Desk.

Tracklist:
1. Tubesocks
2. Montara
3. Introducing the Band
4. Fast One
5. Something For Real
6. Saying Thank Yous
7. Cute
8. Why Not?

*Bonus (Kiefer: Tiny Desk Concert)

Martyn - Through Lines

Welcome to “Through Lines”, a collection of hand picked tracks by genre nomad and bass innovator Martyn, made between 2005 and 2015, carefully recovered and remastered for vinyl and digital release on 3024. Previously only available on 12” across a scattering of different labels, this set includes essential ‘Martyn Music’ (as the producer likes to classify it); tracks like “Vancouver” (A 140 staple to this day), “Mega Drive Generation” and his classic remix of TRG’s “Broken Heart”, as well as deeper cuts like the rare “Friedrichstrasse” and house gem “For Lost Relatives”. “Through Lines” comes with a 40-page booklet featuring a collection of essays Martyn has written about the era, music making in general and these tracks in particular, designed by Jeroen Erosie.

This is not just a compilation of remastered music, it’s a document of an era of UK inspired dance music where ideas, genres, tempos and scenes seemed to rapidly merge and splinter off. An exciting time where producers constantly tried to one-up each other with new ideas and influences, in a vibrant international scene of small club nights from FWD>> and DMZ in London to Red Zone (co-run by Martyn) in the periphery, the earliest online forums like Dubstepforum and radio shows like Dj Flight’s BBC 1xtra show and Mary Anne Hobbs’ Breezeblock. Innovation in music never happens in a vacuum and is always a product of community, producers, writers, and other makers continuously inspiring and pushing each other to come up with the next thing. This ethos is present in all of Martyn’s music throughout the years, but also in his work with Jeroen Erosie as 3024 and within the 3024 Mentoring Program he runs today.

"Through Lines" will be available on May 10th 2024, on vinyl and as a digital release, and as a booklet.

Tracklist:
1. Broken
2. Friedrichstrasse
3. Yet
4. TRG – Broken Heart (Martyn's DCM mix)
5. Cloud Convention
6. Vancouver
7. Mega Drive Generation
8. Get Down
9. Virgo
10. Suburbia
11. Hear Me
12. For Lost Relatives

Goran Kajfes Tropiques - Tell Us

The Swedish quartet Goran Kajfeš Tropiques share their new music We Jazz Records on May 3rd. Tell Us, an album consisting of three long pieces composed by the group, is "slow music" to the bone, a deep body of work utilising the language of jazz as its core mode of communication but echoing way beyond. The quartet is expanded with strings, adding wings to the music and helping it lift off the ground in a personal, highly engaging manner.

The Tropiques quartet consists of Goran Kajfeš (trumpet, synthesizer), Alexander Zethson (piano, organ, synthesizer), Johan Berthling (acoustic bass) and Johan Holmegard (drums) – each a key member in the Swedish creative music scene, with experience from groups such as Dungen, Ghosted, Fire!, Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra, Oddjob, plus many more, including Goran Kajfeš's own Suptropic Arkestra. Their music, groove based and connected to the tradition of "minimalism" has at times been called "hypno-jazz". Tropiques initially came together in 2011 when Kajfeš was commissioned to compose and perform music to a performance by the Swedish modern dance company Vindhäxor. Since then, the group has evolved in its own ways and independently from, yet informed by, their origins. That is, the experience of creating music together with a strong sense of movement.

All three compositions on Tell Us expand on what the Tropiques have done before, building around their signature style and its spacey texture and rooting the musical narrative in strong melody, rolling groove and their collective limitless urge for sonic exploration. As the opener "Unity In Diversity" goes to show, Tropiques's compositions are like flowers opening slowly, each element and layer growing out of what has come before, in a constantly surprising manner. This music, then, becomes the perfect antidote for the quick-fix eye candy rolling down your smartphone screen. This music will take its time, but it'll also create new dimensions with each second as it unfolds.

RIYL: Alice Coltrane, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Pharoah Sanders, Laraaji, "Crescent" era John Coltrane, Swedish psychedelic music, "Kosmische Musik"

Tracklist:
1. Unity In Diversity
2. Magmatique
3. Prije i posle

VA - Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds in the Diaspora, 1980-93

In the early 1980s, a particular alchemy between new musical technologies and significant social, cultural, and political transformations in Ghana gave rise to a new style of highlife. Drum machines and synthesisers appeared alongside lilting guitar lines and punchy horns, and the emerging Ghanaian diaspora began incorporating US disco and boogie, R&B, European new wave, and Caribbean zouk and soca into their music.

This style soundtracked the birth of a new, proud Ghanaian identity and captured the idiosyncrasies of a rapidly changing postcolonial society, marked by increased migration and wider access to global sounds and modern technology.

More than 20 years after the release of the heavy funk and Afrobeat-focused Ghana Soundz compilations, and following the success of 2009’s Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981, Soundway is now shining the spotlight on the multifaceted, diasporic sounds of the ‘80s on new compilation Ghana Special - Volume 2, a collection of 18 burger highlife, electronic afrobeat, and reggae tracks.

Though Ghanaian to its very core, burger highlife emerged mostly outside of Ghana and just as the sun was setting on the country’s musical golden age. In the 1960s and 1970s cities such as Accra, Tema, Takoradi, and Cape Coast were home to thriving music scenes, and the loud horn sections of the big highlife bands, or the simpler, socially conscious palm wine music ruled the dance halls, locals drinkeries, and airwaves.

Back then music represented a powerful force, and an artist’s endorsement or dissent could make or break a politician. Perhaps to curb this power, the incoming military regime-imposed curfews and substantial import taxes on musical instruments in the early 1980s. These measures, coupled with a profound economic downturn and shifting musical preferences that saw DJs replacing large live bands, served as the final blow to Ghana's once-thriving music scene.

Musicians left Ghana in droves, scattering across West Africa, Europe, and North America. Thanks in part to its more permissive migration policies Germany became the heart of this scene, and the movement in fact takes its name from “Bürger”, the German for “citizen”. Less confined by genres than back in Ghana, artists in the diaspora were quick to engage with the different styles, working disco, boogie, and funk into their highlife melodies. Access to state-of-the-art studios and modern musical technologies also gave birth to all sorts of mutations: burger highlife in fact is less defined by one particular sound, than by the experimental approach and global outlook of its artists.

Tracks such as Ernest Honny’s experimental cut “New Dance” are an example of just how far artists strayed from original highlife arrangements. Honny, who started his career as a keyboard player with Dr K Gyasi’s band The Noble Kings, had moved to Benin in the 1980s, where he experimented with synthesisers and drum machines at one of Cotonou’s top studios. Similarly, Nan Mayen’s “Mumude” is a slick, 80’s pop track which was recorded in Germany, with only a slight echo of highlife in its opening Fanti lyrics.

This generation of artists found inspiration in sounds that transcended geographical boundaries: singer and guitarist Nana Budjei, who was originally from central Ghana but had moved to the UK in the 1980s, says that his radiant, sun-drenched 1988 track “Asobrachie” is “influenced by reggae maestros Bob Marley and Alpha Blondy, and traditional Akan folklore music”; on “Jigi Jigi”, the Kumasi-born, Sweden transplant Delips Apo draws on soca, latin, and zouk influences.

Throughout the 1980s Ghanaian artists kept producing increasingly innovative and experimental hybrids, winning over new audiences abroad. Though back in Ghana the new sound was initially met with disapproval by purists, it slowly became a symbol of a new, worldly and modern Ghanaian identity. The creativity and open mindedness that characterised burger highlife have gone on to shape the evolution of Ghanaian music since, giving artists the freedom to explore new global sounds while preserving a proudly Ghanaian soul. Ghana Special - Volume 2 stands as a vibrant tribute to the lasting legacy of this groundbreaking musical era.

Tracklist:
1. The Godfathers - Ebe Ye Yie Ni
2. Pat Thomas - Gye Wani
3. Pepper - M.C. Mambo
4. Andy Vans - Adjoa Amisa
5. George Darko - Kaakyire Nua
6. Rex Gyamfi - Obiara Bewu
7. Starlite - Anoma Koro
8. Abdul Raheem - Alaiye
9. Jon K - Asafo
10. Kwasi Afari Minta - Barima Nsu
11. Marijata, Ata Kak - Otanhunu
12. Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Apple
13. Dadadi - Jigi Jigi
14. Charles Amoah - Fre Me (Call Me)
15. Ernest Honny - New Dance
16. Bessa Simons - Sii Nana
17. Nan Mayen - Mumude
18. Nana Budjei - Asobrachie

Blockhead - Luminous Rubble

It’s a producer’s dream: Being given access to a vast library of material to construct something completely new and exciting out of all of it—and when Blockhead’s at the controls, the results are a listener’s paradise, too. The New York City-based hip-hop production legend’s latest album, Luminous Rubble, is also the fifth release in the London-based label Def Pressé’s KPM Crate Diggers series, which hands the keys to the KPM Library’s storied collection—home to over 70 years of music and sound designs made for television, film, and radio—to some of the best behind the boards. The results are like witnessing a kid unleashed in a candy shop, as Blockhead unleashes his boundless creative mind on the KPM Library’s limitless potential—pure inspiration and joy, for your listening pleasure.

Luminous Rubble is the latest missive in a particularly busy period for underground hip-hop veteran Tony Simon, who’s spent the last decades lending his considerable talents to work from artists like Armand Hammer, billy woods, Murs, and Open Mike Eagle; in 2021, he released the critically acclaimed collab LP Garbology with rap legend and longtime collaborator Aesop Rock, just last year he unleashed his twelfth solo album, The Aux. Luminous Rubble had its origins in a chance meeting after a Hamburg show between Simon and a KPM rep, who explained the Crate Diggers conceit to him.

“For me, as a producer who uses samples, there’s nothing better than free rein,” Simon recalls. “I was like, ‘Are there any rules?’ And he said, ‘Just make whatever you want.’ That was so exciting for me. I don’t get that on my own releases, but in this case every sample is cleared and it’s all good.”

As is the case with many sample excavators, Simon already had a deep history with what the KPM library had to offer him as well—to the point where, while digging through the crates in the making of Luminous Rubble, he even came across records he’d sampled from in the past. “Their vault is the one I’m most familiar with,” he says with a laugh. “Back when I used to go record shopping a lot, I would pretty much buy any KPM record on sight. They were always a huge find at record stores. So to be able to tap into these records with no limitations was really nice.”

“The challenge for me was trying to boil down what I wanted to do,” Simon continues while discussing the genesis of Luminous Rubble, which came together over the course of 2022. “I thought about making an album of super-long songs, but it would’ve been a whole different undertaking. So I just went with what I knew, because it’s a foolproof approach to me.” Of course, Simon’s track record as Blockhead meant that the familiar path was tried and true—but as Luminous Rubble’s ten tracks prove, it’s foolish to assume that would mean any laurel-resting on his part.

“My music is always very quirky and melody-driven,” Simon states while talking about how he stretched his creative wings in the studio. “I took chances more than usual when it came to samples and how I used them for foundation.” Indeed, Luminous Rubble finds Simon using the KPM library’s vastness to craft new and engagingly twisted beat-driven shapes; “Dork Crystal” radiates a sinister ominousness, with streaks of strings rubbing against stabbing guitar chords, while a delightfully scuzzy horn line dances around a hi-hat shuffle in “Scumlord.” “There’s something dirty about the horn sample,” Simon explains while discussing the track’s title. “It reminds you of oil-slicked streets in an alley. I wanted to embrace that feeling.”

Glittering bells and a woozy gait to “Serious About My Fitness” makes the tune sound as if you’re sweating it out on the Stairmaster (in a good way), while there’s a distinct thousand-karat shine to “Oh You Fancy,” which nearly resembles a glitzed-out haunted house in its gilded spookiness. “It just sounds like royalty,” Simon exclaims, before going into greater detail about how the creative parameters of the Crate Diggers series proved its own inspiration.

“I’ve always appreciated working within limitations,” he says. “Having no boundaries can be overwhelming when it comes to the creative process. Working with these samples forced me to find middle ground in cases where I’d typically just walk away and look elsewhere.” After hearing Luminous Rubble, you’ll be happy he stuck around.

Tracklist:
1. Badabing
2. Scumlord
3. Oh You Fancy
4. Move Witch
5. Dork Crystal
6. Homeward Browned Out
7. Serious About My Fitness
8. Zoomies
9. Fake Badge
10. Chill Pill