1. Overture
2. Remember Me
3. Be No Rain
4. Lord
5. Happy People
6. Realise
7. It’s Alright
8. Loved You So
9. On Bass
10. No Words
11. Patience
12. Restoration
Friday, October 25, 2024
High Contrast - Restoration
1. Overture
2. Remember Me
3. Be No Rain
4. Lord
5. Happy People
6. Realise
7. It’s Alright
8. Loved You So
9. On Bass
10. No Words
11. Patience
12. Restoration
Kokoroko - Get The Message
Warm, rich and sumptuous in sound, ‘Three Piece Suit’ is a heartwarming tribute to the Nigerian immigrant experience. An initial draft of the track first began life at Kokoroko’s studio under the working title ‘Get The Message’.
Crackling through the track’s snug and patiently-arranged grooves are subtle touches of funk, adding new dimensions to the band's signature afrobeat and jazz sound in a way that recalls the work of Cymande. Further caressing the instrumentation is the incorporation of the Brazilian nose flute and woozy-sounding synth lines, effortlessly transporting the listeners back in time.
A conversation between Onome Edgeworth, the band’s percussionist and Azekel about their grandfathers who both landed in Balham from Nigeria in the 1960s would yield finishing touches that its rough sketches needed, bringing the song home to its final form.
Speaking on the track’s conception, Onome said: "We wrote the song thinking of our grandfathers arriving in London and the way they carried themselves and dressed in the 1960s. They were part of a dapper and suited generation that sowed the seeds for the worlds we’re building now. It speaks to our sentimental memories of a time that we know we can't have back”.
Palpable throughout are spiritual echoes resonating with ideas of home, lineage and ancestry. Speaking on this, Azekel said: “The song is about coming back, letting go and realizing that all things, past, present and future are intertwined.”
The unveiling of ‘Three Piece Suit’ comes alongside the news that Kokoroko will be releasing a brand new EP entitled ‘Get The Message’. Slated for release on November 1st via Brownswood Recordings, ‘Get The Message’ was created as an intentional vessel for joy. Heavily filled with themes of community, connection and relationships both romantic and platonic, the new EP is a manifestation of Kokoroko and their inner world.
The forthcoming EP will mark Kokoroko’s first dose of new music since the release of ‘Could We Be More Remixes’. The experimental and kaleidoscopic sister project to their 2022 debut album ‘Could We Be More’ which upon initial release earned critical plaudits from the likes of The Guardian, The Telegraph, Financial Times, Jazzwise, CRACK Magazine and Downbeat Magazine. The release would also garner their first Top 40 placement on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No.30.
Enlisting some of contemporary music’s most forward-thinking artists like KeiyaA, Ash Lauryn, Stefan Ringer and Hagan to re-imagine the original album through a club-focused lens, ‘Could We Be More Remixes’ marked the beginning of the band being cast beyond spaces unrelated to the jazz sphere. A signal of their incoming next phase.
To coincide with the release of ‘Get The Message’, Kokoroko will be embarking on a headline tour across the UK which will culminate with a date at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. This will mark the biggest headline show of their career.
Tracklist:
1. Higher
2. Sweeter Than
3. My Prayer
4. Three Piece Suit (feat. Azekel)
The Cromagnon Band - Mode
The purely instrumental tracks on Mode represent music for the sake of music with no specific narrative but which allow space for the listener to make their own interpretations and create their own mental images. The mood is transcendental and transporting with as many ideas packed into each track as possible. The sound is cinematic and psychedelic dark Funk that showcases the band members' musical pedigrees and heritage as music lovers; Nordic psych/jazz, classical, boom-bap Hip-Hop breaks and riff heavy rock a la early Black Sabbath.
The Cromagnon Band was formed in 2015 and is a trio of artists who compose and produce their own work. Drummer Tom Watt and Bassist Lenny Walker are both from a music production background whilst Bert Page is a classically trained musician who plays all the keys as well as sax and clarinet. As well as being a studio entity The Cromagnon Band play out as a live trio, adapting and arranging their tracks to the live stage with Bert playing Moog and Rhodes simultaneously. Mode is the Cromagnon Band's second album and their debut release on BBE Music and will be released as a digital and vinyl LP.
Tracklist:
1. Wilderland
2. Bad Night
3. Contrary Motion
4. Phrygia
5. Crooked Usage
6. Fate/No Fate
7. Sky Burial
8. Hadley's Hope
9. Mandelbrot
10. Not Nothing
Quantic - Tropics
You name it, Will Holland has done it. The talented songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer has excelled as a solo artist and high-level collaborator over the last 20 years. A creative free spirit who is constantly engaged with his surroundings, he is as likely to serve up unheard wonders from Ethiopia and South America as he is the original sounds of Cumbia, surf guitar and folk, downtempo and dub. His love of club music has manifested on this label before now in the form of his Heaven Or Hell EP back in 2021 and now he returns in fine style.
This EP kicks off a run of four releases from different artists to mark the 200th outing of Will Saul's influential Aus Music. It is an era-defining label that has platformed some of the scene's brightest stars way before they broke out. Since launching in 2006, the label has remained dedicated to releasing club-ready music with a cultured edge from deep and melodic house to the earliest bass-driven post-dubstep fusions. Opener 'Tropics' is a fully live disco workout created by some of New York's best session musicians. The perfect celebratory single kicks off the 200 series with irresistible bounce and funky basslines. Dancing keys overflow with feel-good vibes while the chords have subtle hints of a Marshall Jefferson classic. The stirring 'Born Again' is a lush and sweeping groove packed with exuberant live musicianship, distant cosmic arps and splashing cymbals. Soaring up top are the beautifully pained and emotive vocals of Laura Roy, a Grammy nominated talent who blends 70's folk and 90's r&b into her own style. After the instrumental version comes closer 'Japanese Knives' with its paddy kick drums and organic hits, tumbling fills and heart-warming chord work. It's a classy house vibe for cosy and loved-up 'floors.
Quantic's Tropics EP arrives digitally and on vinyl via Aus Music on the 27th September. Lead single 'Tropics' streams August 16th and 'Born Again' ft. Laura Roy on September 6th.
Tracklist:
1. Tropics
2. Tropics (12 inch version)
3. Born Again (ft. Laura Roy)
4. Born Again (Instrumental)
5. Japanese Knives
John Digweed - Live in Stereo
1. John Digweed – Live in Stereo Continuous Mix CD1 (original mix)
2. John Digweed – Live in Stereo Continuous Mix CD2 (original mix)
3. John Digweed – Live in Stereo Continuous Mix CD3 (original mix)
4. John Digweed – Live in Stereo Continuous Mix CD4 (original mix)
5. John Digweed – Live in Stereo Continuous Mix CD5 (original mix)
6. Black Eyes – Movin Deeper (original mix)
7. Black Eyes – Groovin Deeper (original mix)
8. Lost Desert – Malaya (original mix)
9. Stephan Hinz – When The Cheese Is Gone (East End Dubs Remix)
10. Masaya CH – Miss Take (original mix)
11. Lost Desert – L'amour Est Bleu (original mix)
12. Shaun Reeves – Playground (original mix)
13. Matthias Meyer – Lagonia (original mix)
14. Anja Schneider – Belize (Laefar Legov remix)
15. Nuno Dos Santos – Dust In Your Eyes (original mix)
16. Yannick Baudino – Are You Sure (OXIA remix)
17. Nau Squaglia – Nothingness (original mix)
18. Klartraum – Clarity (original mix)
19. Terje Saether – Gone (original mix)
20. Sascha Braemer – Who Died & Made You King (feat Dom Fricot - original mix)
21. Masaya CH – Emphysema (original mix)
22. Tigerskin – This Place Is Empty Without You (original mix)
23. Simon Vuarambon/Tantum – Zenith (original mix)
24. Chris Fortier – Losing Wait (R.F.D Deep dub)
25. Tom Hades & Soren Aalberg – Inanitas (original mix)
26. Jamie Stevens – Stay (Golden Return mix)
27. Sascha Dive – La Candelaria (original mix)
28. Klartraum – Lost In Translation (original mix)
29. Masaya CH – Insomnia Happiness (original mix)
30. Mr Raoul K – Sinkere (Alternate version - instrumental)
31. Josh Wink – Iz (original mix)
32. Atnarko & Miss T – Follow You (Chris Fortier & John Debo dub)
33. John Digweed & Nick Muir – Santiago (Sinca remix)
34. Silvertooth – Shut Um Down (Sentre remix)
35. Remcord – Wax (original mix)
36. Remcord – Tanz Is Back (original mix)
37. Paul (AR) & NUFECTS – Something Different (Jamie Stevens remix)
38. Jonathan Kaspar – CHI (original mix)
39. Masaya CH – Gabriel (original mix)
40. Jonathan Kaspar – On The Line (Raw edit)
41. Argia – Gemma (original mix)
42. Argia – Oxido (original mix)
43. Frankey & Sandrino – Blue Flash (original mix)
44. Polo (AR) – Nostalgia Del Presente (Danny Howells remix)
45. Gespona & Martin Cozar – Resilience (Remcord remix)
46. Argia – Chispa (original mix)
47. Remcord – The Sub Changed My Life (original mix)
48. Catz 'n Dogz – Open Door (feat Cloud Boat - Jonathan Kaspar remix)
49. Jonathan Kaspar – We Come (original mix)
50. Tal Fussman – Into The Chamber (original mix)
51. Marc Romboy & C.A.R. – I Am A Dancer (Skatman remix)
52. Alican – Kray (original mix)
53. Argia – No Risk (original mix)
54. Moshic – I Met You On The Heel (original mix)
55. Four Candles – Inner (dub mix)
56. Patrick Siech & Sebastian Mullaert – River Will Turn (Vox version)
57. Radio Slave – My Bleep (Roman Flugel edit)
58. Argia – Data Error Data (original mix)
59. Rebeat & Parlando – Albtraum (Pole Position remix)
60. Simon Vuarambon & Tantum – Arcade (original mix)
Machinedrum - 3FOR82_D3LUX3
“GROWUP takes us into the mind of Kilo’s younger self as she navigates having to make decisions that forced her to grow up faster than she would have liked to. I’m so excited to share this with everyone as it shows another side of my music production by incorporating loops that I made when I was younger and experimenting with dance music for the first time,” says Travis.
“GROWUP” is one of six brand new tracks that populate a new bonus disc, boasting collabs with Saba (Pivot Gang / Ghetto Sage), MoRuf, Beyoncé collaborator MeLo-X, Elena Pinderhughes and more. These new tracks nestle alongside six bonus instrumental versions of “ZOOM”, “WEARY”, “ILIKEU”, “RISE”, “RESPEK” and “BLESSD”.
“3FOR82_D3LUX3 includes songs that were written at the same time as the songs on 3FOR82. I was incredibly picky about what songs made it onto the first album, and made many cuts based solely on how some of the songs didn't fit next to the other songs on the album sonically, mood-wise or genre-wise. I’m thrilled to be able to release these songs as I feel just as strongly about these 6 new songs as I did the 12 that made 3FOR82,” explains Travis. “Additionally, the 6 instrumental tracks taken from the album aren’t simply made by removing the vocals. I did a new mix and added new production to them to make the songs exist more on their own without the vocal driving the tracks.”
‘3FOR82_D3LUX3’ is released on 25th October via Ninja Tune.
Tracklist:
1. ORACLE (feat. Aja Monet)
2. RESPEK (feat. Topaz Jones/Ezri)
3. WEARY (feat. Mick Jenkins/Jesse Boykins III)
4. H0N3Y
5. HEAL (feat. AKTHESAVIOR/Deniro Farrar)
6. ILIKEU (feat. Duckwrth)
7. U_WANT (feat. KUCKA)
8. BLESSD (feat. Deem Spencer)
9. RISE (feat. ROZET)
10. ZOOM (feat. Tinashe)
11. KILL_U (feat. Tanerelle)
12. GODOWN (feat. Jesse Boykins III)
13. GROWUP (feat. Kilo Kish)
14. BREATH (feat. MeLo-X/Elena Pinderhughes)
15. BEBE (feat. DaVionne)
16. HABITS
17. N3WN3S (feat. MoRuf)
18. OK! (feat. Kota The Friend/Joekenneth Museau)
19. WEARY (Bonus) (instrumental)
20. RESPEK (Bonus) (instrumental)
21. ILIKEU (Bonus) (instrumental)
22. BLESSD (Bonus) (instrumental)
23. RISE (Bonus) (instrumental)
24. ZOOM (Bonus) (instrumental)
Joe Nora - Parasol
Experimenting has been rewarding, but there's a special satisfaction in revisiting the origins and showcasing how far his sound has evolved.
Inspired by days spent exploring museums and finding shade from the summer sun, Parasol invites listeners to step outside and enjoy the world while offering a cool reprieve.
This beat tape aims to provide a little bit of chill and shade wherever you go. Featuring collaborations with harpist and producer Sara Kawai, as well as producer Harris Cole, Parasol is a testament to Joe’s finest chill beats.
Tracklist:
1. Starters
2. Quadra
3. Hourglass
4. Eldar (feat. Sara Kawai)
5. Too Forced (feat. Harris Cole)
6. Where Else
7. Moon Days
8. Save Your Breath (feat. Tida)
9. Sundried
10. Dusted
Mark de Clive Lowe - Bread & Souls: A Family Gathering Instrumentals
Aided and abetted by the likes of Tommaso Cappellato (drums), Marcus Machado (guitar), Taku Hirano (percussion), Landy Shores (guitar), Teodross Avery (sax) and more, from broken beat, to downtempo, boogie and soulful house, the full range is on display here for fans of progressive, soulful, jazz-leaning sounds…
Tracklist:
1. Anybody Out There
2. Find The Beauty
3. Technicolor Sunshine
4. I See You
5. Little Did I Know
6. Never Gonna Leave
7. Together
8. Working On It
Jessica Lauren - film
Film is the latest and very welcome release by keyboard player, composer and producer Jessica Lauren, the long-time friend and collaborator of IMPRESS!VE Collective's Greg Boraman. After assuming A&R control of Freestyle Records, Boraman's first signing was ‘Jessica Lauren Four’ (2012) and also released ‘Almeria’ (2018). Both albums exhibited her minimalist approach: Jessica's music is always sophisticated and complex but also accessible and listenable.
‘FILM’ has a fascinating backstory, inasmuch as it was originally recorded in 1997 and saw a CD only release in 1999 via the MELT 2000 label. That CD had been a firm favourite of Greg Boraman’s since then, and he recalls ‘I had it loaded onto my iPod and each time a track from Film came up on shuffle I thought just how much I thought it should be re-issued and given the attention it deserves'.
Jessica had also harboured plans to do something with this project, even treating the recordings to a 24 bit analog remastering by Guy Davie at Electric, but it remained on the shelf – until now.
In 2024, this 27-year-old album is quite remarkable in that it sounds simply and stunningly contemporary, and fits seamlessly with the current soundscape of explorative, genre bending 21st century jazz music.
Blending modal jazz, electronica, library music, field recordings and more, it melds acoustic and electric pianos, harpsichord with synthesisers, electronica and digital techniques as though it’s the most natural combination in the world.
Film cements Jessica's reputation as a pioneering, far sighted artist who was years ahead of the crowd.
Tracklist:
1. Uptown
2. Alefela
3. Stone Garden
4. Shibuya
5. I Love You My Brother
6. Treasure Island
7. Ajua
8. A Pearl For Iona
9. Moose
10. Live Your Life
11. Coming Home
Squarepusher - Ultravisitor (20th Anniversary Edition)
For the 20th anniversary, Warp is proud to present this expanded deluxe version – a limited edition one-time pressing, carefully remastered from the original recordings by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering and overseen by Tom Jenkinson. Never entirely satisfied with the sound of the original release, Tom has relished the opportunity to bring out fresh dynamics and detail in the tracks.
Bonus album Venus No.17 Maximised is compiled from material
originally released as part of the Ultravisitor promo EP, released 26
January 2004; the Square Window 3” CD, a free bonus disc given out with
WarpMart pre-orders of the Ultravisitor album and the Venus No.17 EP.
The accompanying booklet contains photographs, posters and recording
documentation from Tom’s archive.
Tracklist:
1. Ultravisitor
2. I Fulcrum
3. Iambic 9 Poetry
4. Andrei
5. 50 Cycles
6. Menelec
7. C-Town Smash
8. Steinbolt
9. An Arched Pathway
10. Telluric Piece
11. District Line II
12. Circlewave
13. Tetra-Sync
14. Tommib Help Buss
15. Every Day I Love
16. Square Window
17. Abacus 2
18. Venus No.17
19. Venus No.17 (Acid mix)
20. Tundra 4
21. Itti-Fack
22. Talk About Me & You
23. Melt 14.6
Johannes Enders, Joris Teepe, Billy Hart - The Creator Has a Masterplan B (A Tribute to Pharoah Sanders)
Tracklist:
1. The Creator Has a Master Plan B
2. The Spirit of Places
3. It Could Have Been You
4. Jabali-¦S Party
5. Sir Pharoah
6. Song for Pharoah
7. Good Omen
8. Ronim Loose
9. Sir Rashid
10. It's Easy to Remember
11. Seoul City Blues
Friday, October 18, 2024
Alfa Mist & Amika Quartet - Recurring (Live At King's Place)
Creating an authentic, unpolished and electric feel, feeding his long-running mission of real-time musical expressions that evolve with each performance. On the genesis of the record, Alfa says: ‘Some of my favourite albums are captured live performances. I came home from a long year of touring and decided to work on some music for Amika Quartet who I've been working with for years on a few different shows and projects. A lot of the music I release is recorded in whole takes, I think there's something nice about doing the best you can with the moments you have. I wanted to take that one step further by recording it as a live show and seeing what happens.'’
Tracklist:
1. Deus Ex
2. Just Dreams
3. Decay
4. With The Rain
5. Yellow Tie
6. Checkpoint (Violence)
7. Recurring
8. Expand (Years Ago)
9. The Fifth
Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos - This Is.... (Deluxe Version)
Read here what the original release sheet said about the album:
“Strong album – packs a serious punch”
Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, BBC 6 Music
“A breath of fresh air”
Keb Darge
“Really amazing stuff, full of killers”
Nick / Record Kicks
“Definitely recommended”
Peter Wermelinger, Funky & Groovy Music Records Lexicon
“What a fantastic album – this is proper funk”
Tobias Kirmayer, Tramp Records
Ever since their first collaboration on the “Mocambo Funk Forty Fives” compilation, things have gained momentum for the “Golden Girl of Funk” and the much respected Hamburg-based label and live band. Their first single “Working Woman” became an overnight smash and a prime-time club favourite of funk & soul DJs from all over the world. Initially released on the Finnish private press label Old Capital, producer legend and Grammy nominee Kenny Dope (Masters at Work, Bucketheads) picked up and remixed the song for his own label Kay Dee Records.
Gizelle Smith & Mocambo now step up with a full-length album of bonafide sister funk. In the days of digital recording and Pro Tools editing, they show true exception to modern techniques and create their highly regarded, unique and raw soul sound, by making use of simple dynamic microphones and reel-to-reel tape machines.
In a genre which is often littered with overused clichés of the past, the charismatic Gizelle Smith adds a lot of her own flavour rather than slavishly copying icons of bygone decades. The result is a refreshing alternative to post-millenium plastic pop without being a mere retro rip-off.
From the heavy and determined “Gonna Get You” to vulnerable, gospel-tinged laments such as “Coffee High”, the album is just as deeply rooted in the music from the golden era of soul as it is a modern masterpiece in its own right.
Blazing horns, soulful guitars, driving drums and basslines combined with Gizelle’s gripping and powerful voice all weave together to create a long player that is varied and coherent at the same time.
Tracklist:
1. Gonna Get You
2. Working Woman
3. Coffee High
4. Everything Holds Blame
5. Snake Charmer
6. Free Vibes (instrumental)
7. Love Alarm
8. Out Of Fashion
9. Nothing For Nothing
10. Magic Time Machine
11. The Time Is Right For Love
12. Hold Fast
13. Working Woman (Kenny Dope mix)
14. The Time Is Right For Love (SWING-O A.k.a. 45 remix)
15. Coffee High (live At La Bellevilloise Paris)
16. Snake Charmer (instrumental)
17. Free Vibes Part 2 (vocal version)
18. Burn This Disco Out
19. Magic Time Machine (Maida Vale)
20. June (live At Le Printemps De Bourges)
21. Hold Fast (Jr. Blender remix)
22. The Time Is Right For Love (Flute version)
23. Working Part 2 (instrumental)
Zar - Anima
Inspired by the rich musical traditions of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Soul, the title "Anima," meaning "Soul" in Italian, perfectly encapsulates the essence of this work.
The album reflects Zar's years of living in Manchester, a city where the themes of community, passion, and integrity are ever present. These themes are not only central to the album but also resonate deeply with the cultural ethos of his Italian roots centred around the importance of community as demonstrated through the albums collaborators, all from his circle including EVABEE, 2b.Frank & aya dia, Milansanger, Whitt, Nathan Stoker, Dan Harris and label captain DRS. Each track is a testament to the powerful influence of the vibrant artistic scene that defines both the city and Zar's musical journey.
1. Soul (Some Other Way) (feat. Milansangar & Nathan Stoker)
2. Moving (feat. Whitt)
3. La Luce Bianca (Your Love) (feat. EVABEE)
4. Spiders (feat. DRS & Dan Harris)
5. 5:55 (feat. 2b.Frank & aya dia)
6. Primavera
7. Levitate (feat. aya dia)
8. Partial Harmony (feat. DRS)
9. Drowning (feat. Milansangar)
10. Bring It Back Home (feat. EVABEE)
Bonobo - Expander
The track is already a staple at his legendary OUTLIER sets, an event series curated by Bonobo which shows his continued influence as a DJ and also the reverence a new generation of artists hold for his own releases. Joining him on DJ line ups over the last year have included Barry Can't Swim, DJ Koze, Sofia Kourtesis, salute, Kelly Lee Owens, Mall Grab, DJ Tennis, Dixon, TSHA, SG Lewis, Young Marco, Kerri Chandler, Carlita, Elkka, HAAi, John Talabot, Paula Tape amongst others. The 15,000 capacity event at Drumsheds in London was the fastest selling event of the season. Bonobo also recently played “Expander’ when going b2b with Disclosure at their Friends & Family pop-up in LA.
“Expander” sees Bonobo continue his stellar run of heavier, club-inspired tracks released in between albums. Following, as it does, his 2022 singles “Defender” and “ATK”, the subsequent fingle “Fold” — a collaboration with Jacques Green — and 2020’s anthemic NYC disco-inspired ‘Heartbreak’ 12” with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
Tracklist:
1. Expander
2. Rosewood
3. Shadows (feat. Jordan Rakei)
VA - Soul Jazz Records presents ELECTRO THROWDOWN – Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89
Soul Jazz Records’ new collection, ‘Electro
Throwdown - Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth
1982-89’, is a journey into the outer reaches of electro.
"The
album is comprised of mainly private-press and independent label electro
jams of the highest calibre (with some as rare as spaceships landing on
Mars) all created in the 1980s, at a time when a vocoder, a Roland
TR-808 drum machine and a groove was all that was needed to get the
party started.
With a few notable exceptions (Michael Jonzun’s
Jonzun Crew and The Packman) the album features mainly under-the-radar
killer tracks from a host of one-off artists and back-room electronic
pioneers – including Pretty Tony, Planet Detroit (James McCauley, aka
Maggotron) and Rich Cason – who together helped shape the sound of
electro across the USA from Miami to New York, Los Angeles and beyond
during the 1980s."
Tracklist:
1. Time to Throw Down - The Rickie Clark Company
2. Boogie Troids - The Troids
3. I'm the Packman - The Packman
4. Fix It in the Mix - Pretty Tony
5. All Systems Go - Jazaq
6. Killer Groove - Rich Cason
7. We Are the Jonzun Crew - Jonzun Crew
8. Planetary Deterioration (Electro Mix) - Ozone Layer
9. Robot People - Bill Williams and Bileo
10. E.T. Boogie - Extra T's
11. Invasion from the Planet Detroit - Planet Detroit
12. Professor X (Saga) - Professor X
13. Jump, Stomp and Twist (Instrumental) - Mo-Jo
Brainstory - Sounds Good (Instrumentals)
Based in L.A. but hailing from the Inland Empire's own Rialto, California, two-thirds of Brainstory, Kevin and Tony Martin are brothers by blood, while Eric Hagstrom is a brother through their music and long term friendship. Since they started the band they have constantly faced situations that forced them to rise to the occasion. They got signed to Big Crown Records, they stepped up their game. COVID happened, they learned to record themselves. They started touring a ton sharing the stage with the likes of Lady Wray and they got their live show super tight. All of this time spent grinding and growing has certainly paid off. The path to take their art to the next level is clearer than ever, and once again, they are here for it. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear on Sounds Good, it’s that Brainstory has leveled up.
Part of this evolution is undoubtedly attributed to having access to and working constantly in their own studio in Long Beach. Another major factor is that their brotherhood has expanded. "I've been playing music with my brother all my life and now with Eric for a long time," Tony tells us. "Leon, though, is like another brother I've just met."
Leon Michels, Big Crown's co-owner, produced this record and applied his unmistakable golden touch in crucial ways. The other member of the extended Brainstory brotherhood whose contributions were essential to the album, is studio engineer legend Jens Jungkurth who controls the tones and textures of the music. "That's what you're hearing, our connection, the fun moments, the little details," Kevin describes. "This record isn't half what it is without them—and it made us want to match that effort," and match that effort they did.
Album opener "Nobody But You" is an uplifting, dance floor burner, that shows off a new side of Brainstory's range. Drummer Eric Hagstrom’s crushing back beat lays the foundation for an inspirational feel good banger that manages to take the uncomfortable truth that “nobody will save you but you” and turn it into pure blissful motivation. "Peach Optimo" is a laid back half time tune that blends the bounce of Down South Hip-Hop with California G funk and Jazz. They once again show off their B said ballad talents with "Gift Of Life" but this time taking the genre to a new place with lyrics about existentialism and a track that is drop dead gorgeous, haunting, and profound all at once. "NyNy" is an homage to Kev and Tony's recently deceased grandfather while "Too Yung" is a show stopping, deeply personal, stripped down number about being introduced to alcohol at a young age. They put another hit on the boards with "Hanging On," a Latin / Psychedelic Soul inspired banger featuring Claire Cottrill on background vocals while "XFaded” addresses the all too common vicious cycle of smoking and drinking too much over a trippy shuffle.
"It's been four years since our last full length record, and with everything that's happened since, it's like we've been catching up to ourselves." That's one way to describe change: catching up to oneself. Each member of Brainstory has gone through shifts, both personally and musically, and all of that threads through Sounds Good. It's easy to say that the music industry can be short on lasting, genuine relationships. However, for Brainstory, from day one it's been about standing by each other, for each other. Their friendship started the group, and now, this expanded brotherhood is supporting them to push it further. The stars have aligned for them to take a big and well deserved step with this new album and it couldn't have happened to a better group of guys. Ups and downs of course, but they are acutely aware of how good the big picture has been for them and you can hear it in their music—music that just Sounds Good.
Tracklist:
1. Nobody But You
2. Peach Optimo
3. Listen
4. Gift Of Life
5. NyNy
6. I Will Be
7. Hanging On
8. XFaded
9. Stay
10. Sweet & Lovely
11. Rialto Winds
Svaneborg Kardyb - Superkilen
Drawing on Danish folk music and Scandinavian jazz influences, including Nils Frahm, Esbjörn Svennson and Jan Johansson’s landmark recording Jazz På Svenska, their music is an exquisite and joyful melding of beautiful melodies, delicate minimalism, catchy grooves, subtle electronica vibes, Nordic atmospheres and organic interplay, all underwritten by the sheer joy of playing together.
Following on from their Gondwana Records debut 'Over Tage', 'Superkilen' their forthcoming album, is named after a public park in the ethnically diverse Nørrebro district of Copenhagen. This erstwhile strip of waste ground was repurposed by the Superflex art group in the early 2010’s to bring together immigrants and locals in a mood of tolerance and unity. Its title feels emblematic of their music, which, equally inventively, creates space and serenity as a tonic within the tense and cluttered environment of 2020’s living. In the same way that the regeneration project has transformed that neighbourhood, Svaneborg Kardyb have drawn on that positive energy to help instigate changes in their own music.
Tracklist:
1. Superkilen
2. Cycles
3. St. Pancras
4. Vakler
5. Balancen
6. Tvillinger
7. Tide
8. Udsigten
9. Arendal
Calibro 35 - Jazzploitation
None of the members of Calibro 35 are (or consider themselves) jazz musicians, but over the years jazz has often and significantly inspired them. ‘Jazzploitation’ is not a “jazz record” but an “inspired by jazz” EP in which Calibro 35 pay homage to some of their favorite musicians; from Bob James to Lalo Schifrin, from Piero Umiliani to Miles Davis and Idris Muhammad.
The first single taken from the EP is a cover of RAI TV’s legendary ‘Lunedì Cinema (Monday Movie)’ theme, a jazzy disco-funk mover composed by Italian renowned singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, which features for the occasion the scat singing of Sicilian artist (Nu Genea, Erlend Oye). The new single ‘Lunedì Cinema’ is out on September 16th on all digital platforms and on November 15th also on ltd edition clear 7” vinyl.
On the EP’s tracklist feature also the second single ‘Chaser’, a groovy jazz-funk stormer composed by Piero Umiliani, who originally recorded it for the soundtrack of 1975’s erotic-noir movie ‘The Body’ directed by Luigi Scattini, as well as ‘Nautilus’ by the jazz keyboardist Bob James and ‘Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (Generique)’ by Miles Davis taken from Lous Malle’s film. A total of four jazz-funk numbers that confirm the musicianship of Calibro 35, already proven in over a decade of history.
Described by Rolling Stone as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that has happened to Italy in the past few years", Milan-based Calibro 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. Active since 2007, during their long career they were sampled by Dr. Dre on ‘Compton’ (‘One Shot One Kill’ feat. Snoop Dogg), Jay Z (‘Picasso Baby’), The Child of Lov & Damon Albarn (‘One Day’) and Demigodz (‘The Summer Of Sam’). They played major venues and festivals all over Europe and as unique musicians they collaborated with, amongst others: PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish, Stewart Copeland and Rokia Traoré.
Tracklist:
1. Chaser
2. Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (Generique)
3. Lunedì Cinema (feat. Marco Castello)
4. Nautilus
Frederic Rabold - Time Machine
*** Celebrating FRÉDÉRIC RABOLDs 80th birthday ***
Born on November 23rd, 1944 in Paris, France, Frédéric Rabold already played with his father in American Army Clubs at age 16. In 1965, Rabold joined the Axel Lauser Quartet, three years later he finally founded his own band, the Frédéric Rabold Crew. In the following years he collaborated with guitarist Martin Ederer, singer Lauren Newton, as well as avant-garde jazz musicians such as Gunter Hampel, Leszek Zadlo, Lester Bowie, Manfred Schoof, Albert Mangelsdorff and Jeanne Lee.
In the mid-1970s, a second formation was formed, the "Frédéric Rabold Jazz Inspiration Orchestra", which, unlike the crew, continued to exist with the same line-up well into the 2010s. In 2018, Frédéric Rabold celebrated the 50th anniversary of his group, the Frédéric Rabold Crew.
"Time Machine" contains songs spanning five decades from 1968 to 2018. Tramp Records is extremely proud to celebrate FRÉDÉRIC RABOLDs 80th birthday with this fantastic album release.
Tracklist:
1. Noon In Tunisia
2. Yahtzee
3. Time Machine I
4. Indian Impression
5. Children Of The Sun
6. Zest
7. Ride On
8. Explosion
9. Beatscho?n
10. Januschka
11. The Last Of The Past
12. Berlin
13. Solstice Celebrations
14. Red Point (live)
15. Blue Cha Cha Cha
16. Spring Feelings
17. Relaxing Walk
18. Brother W.H.
Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra - Terra Coda
‘Terra Coda’ has been a lifelong project for Benji, intertwining exceptional musical depth with his unwavering commitment to pivotal environmental concerns. Conceptually rich, it explores musical, political and environmental dimensions, reflecting Benji’s journey and meticulous attention to detail. The Terra Collective Orchestra boasts an impressive array of experience, having worked for, produced, engineered or toured with renowned artists such as The Heritage Orchestra, Portishead, Bonobo, PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, This Is The Kit, Alice Russell, Anoushka Shankar, Peter Gabriel, Elbow, Madness, John Rutter, Sam Cooke, John Williams, Cinematic Orchestra, Paraorchestra and many more. The collective debuted in May 2022 with a three-night residency in Bristol at “The Mount Without”, part of the Mayfest Arts Festival. This residency, featuring 50 orchestra members, sold out every night with 200-250 attendees. Following this success, they performed at the Falmouth Arts Festival, delivering two sold-out shows for 300 people each night, again with 50 performers.
‘Terra Coda’ is a portmanteau that elegantly combines “Terra”, resonating with the Latin for ‘earth’ and “Coda”, a musical term signifying both conclusion and genesis, therefore embodying the orchestral resonance of earthly endings, new beginnings and transformative symphonies. Framed by the Taoist five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - ‘Terra Coda’ is interconnected, relating to all aspects of human nature and our environment. Benji elaborates on his creative process explaining “each element holds an emotional characteristic”. Wood embodies the cycle of birth, youth, vision, frustration and growth. Fire ignites emotions of love, passion, sadness, confusion and isolation. Earth resonates with integrity, worry, empathy, intention and transformation. Metal represents the weight of grief, the act of letting go, justice, inspiration and the paternal role. Water flows with the wisdom of old age, the fears that come with it, moments of calm, the vastness of the sea and the cycle of rebirth, akin to the nurturing embrace of a mother.
The double single “Artemis / Whale Lament” served as the first offering from the album. “Artemis” embodies Benji’s profound empathy during a period when his close friend’s mother was terminally ill. In contrast, “Whale Lament” draws inspiration from the wisdom of old age, the grandeur of whales and the interplay between tension and tranquility.
“Love Letter” features the talents of artist and producer Kathleen Frances. With a history of collaborative writing, this track is the only song on the album not exclusively written by Benji. He characterises the song as “beautiful yet crushing”, describing it as a heartfelt apology to the earth that delves into themes of love, passion, sorrow, confusion, solitude and youth. Kathleen’s lyricism embodies a raw and poignant style, mirrored in her delicate vocal delivery, which consistently left Benji astounded.
Album opener “Eyes Wide Shut” sets the stage with a powerful exploration of themes. Benji envisioned this inaugural piece emerging from a liminal space, almost before time itself - a primordial soup of nothingness. He describes it as “the world waking up at dawn, with things beginning to unfurl and breathe. This is the birth.” Midway through the album, “Emergence” tackles themes of anger, rage, frustration and indignation, tracing a relationship’s trajectory from a hopeful beginning to a tragic end. The first part is expectant and dreamlike, full of yearning, while the second part embodies anger, rage and despair. Benji aimed to craft a vivid narrative through music, mostly without lyrics. He sought to create something epic, reflecting the earth’s enormity and our current crises. His goal was to evoke strong emotions, allowing listeners to feel deeply and ultimately let go. For Benji, the album is a phantom limb - an inseparable part of himself, making the project a cathartic process to exorcise his demons and connect emotionally with his audience. The album’s closing track, “Perpetuus” featuring Melanie Marshall, is described by Benji as “the most immense and emboldening piece I have ever written and performed.”
Benji began curating The Terra Collective Orchestra after receiving the Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from Arts Council England (ACE). Drawing on local talent from the Bristol music scene, he enlisted the expertise of orchestra manager Anneka Sutcliffe to streamline operations. As compositions evolved, so did the scale of the sessions, culminating in a 25-piece string rehearsal to explore initial ideas. Recognising the need for further support, Benji enlisted assistance from renowned theatre producers Impossible-Producing, to secure a substantial ACE grant to bring the project to fruition.
Benji has scored the soundtrack for Wilke Branson’s multi-award-winning film ‘Tom’ plus The Old Vic’s ‘A Monster Calls’ which was nominated for ‘Outstanding Achievement In Music’ at the Olivier Awards. Benji has toured with Bonobo and Alice Russell and worked closely with artist and producer Kathleen Frances. He has also remixed a variety of artists including LTJ Bukem, The Heritage Orchestra and Hundred Strong, produced four critically acclaimed albums under the alias Unforscene and recorded a BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session for Gilles Peterson Worldwide.
Tracklist:
1. Eyes Wide Shut
2. Paikea (feat. Joe Silverston)
3. Sylvan
4. In My Arms
5. Emergence
6. Love Letter (feat. Kathleen Frances)
7. Rapture In Blue
8. Artemis
9. Kalaallit Nunaat (feat. James Gow)
10. Descent (feat. Melanie Marshall)
11. Leviathan (feat. Harriet Riley)
12. Whale Lament
13. Perpetuus (feat. Melanie Marshall)