SML - Small Medium Large

SML is the quintet of bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann.

Their debut album 'Small Medium Large' began as a collection of long form improvisations recorded during two separate two-night stands at beloved Highland Park, Los Angeles venue ETA. Unfortunately, this major development site for the burgeoning new West Coast jazz & improvised music sound closed its doors permanently at the end of 2023.

The venue, perhaps best known outside of LA for Jeff Parker's 2022 album 'Mondays at the Enfield Tennis Academy', was the perfect location for the start of SML, especially given that both bassist Anna Butterss and saxophonist Josh Johnson are part of Parker's quartet that held down a regular gig at ETA since the venue's early days (and hence thoroughly documented, heard on Parker's album). 'Small Medium Large' was engineered and recorded in stereo direct to Nagra by Bryce Gonzales and compiled, arranged, and edited with additional production, recording, and studio composition by SML across their various home studios.

While editing, chopping, and rearranging stereo mixed improvisations is hardly a new idea (for a modern and relevant example we can look to Makaya McCraven's output on IARC) these results are a stunning expansion of the Teo Macero / Miles Davis editing concept explored on classics like 'In a Silent Way', 'On The Corner', and 'Get Up With It'. Stylistically though, these recordings have more in common with the proto-trance repetitions of Harmonia, and with Holgar Czukay's re-assembly technique used in his work with Can. Throw in a supremely intuitive utilization of polyrhythmic floating patterns (a la Susumu Yokota), and the result is a truly innovative take on time-clocked electronic rhythms augmented with live instrumentation that never loses that elusive human sway.

'Small Medium Large' is a sublime assemblage of circulatory grooves and textural anomalies, at different moments recalling the synth-laced improvisations of Herbie Hancock's Sextant, the jagged dance punk of Essential Logic, the rhythmic revelry of Fela Kuti, the low-end elasticity of Parliament/Funkadelic, or the glitchy dub techno of Pole. Taken in totality, the album captures a euphoric creative synchronicity between some of today's most exciting musicians.

Tracklist:
1. Rubber Tree Dance
2. Industry
3. Herbie for Commercials
4. Search Bar Hi Hat
5. Window Sill Song
6. Switchboard Operations
7. Soft Sand
8. Three Over Steel
9. Chasing Brain
10. History of Communication
11. Feed The Birds
12. Greg's Melody
13. Dolphin Language

Jeff Mills - The Eye Witness

Tracklist:
1. In A Traumatized World
2. Menticide
3. Those Who Worked Against Us
4. Mass Hypnosis
5. Hold And Command
6. Wonderous Butterfly
7. Sacred Iridescent Mirror (The Pledge)
8. In A Tramatized World (The Human Toll Mix)
9. Indoctrination
10. Surge Complex
11. Floating (Index)
12. Menticide (Repeat Victimization)
13. No Safe Room

Aloe Blacc - Rock My Soul: Volume II

Tracklist:
1. Seven Nation Army
2. Wonderwall
3. Song 2
4. Everybody Hurts
5. Born of a Broken Man

Àbáse - Awakening

Science informs us that while we’re still in the womb, we’re able to hear our parents’ voices; and after birth, as we develop consciousness and memory, we’ll be soothed by these familiar sounds. As humans trying to make sense of our time on this planet, we may wishfully imagine a similarly comforting course to the proverbial “next” phase of existence: one that requires no intellectual inquiry, only an intuitive awareness of our present condition tethered to our innate ability to listen.

Szabolcs Bognár has been listening. Recent years have found the producer/multi-instrumentalist behind Àbáse especially mindful of the life cycle in all its biological and spiritual definitions as his personal and musical paths have dovetailed in profound ways: the realization of Àbáse from a spark of imagination to actuality, his immersion in the Candomble faith, a move from Szabi’s native Hungary to Berlin, marriage, new parenthood, and the inevitable interrogation of mortality that takes place when a loved one has transitioned.

The highs, lows and everything in between have pushed him towards a kind of creative rebirth. Where Àbáse’s previous album, Laroyê, was initiated by five months spent recording in Brazil in decidedly DIY-style, it was ultimately completed via hundreds of hours of painstaking post-production performed on Szabi’s laptop. Though pleased with the results, he was burnt out and needed a fresh approach. “I wanted to play, capture the moment, and do as little editing as possible,” he recalls. During the circuitous arc of the pandemic’s pauses and restarts he devotedly revisited a familiar touchstone in the classic Coltrane quartet’s ’60s recordings, drawing inspiration from their smoldering monastic intensity. His desire to embark on a more purely live, analog recording process, however, was cinched when he found not just an empathetic partner but a catalyst for his passion in accomplished engineer Erik Breuer, founder of Berlin’s freshly constructed Brewery Studios and a key figure within Analogue Foundation, the international coalition dedicated to the virtues of high quality sound experiences.

Recorded in four days in Brewery’s homey live room with an ensemble of close collaborators, Awakening coalesces Àbáse’s varied musical influences and reference points (classic Lagos Afrobeat, traditional Hungarian folk, Yoruba rhythms, house and techno, hip-hop et al) with the exquisite modal improvisation spurred by Szabi’s introspection. Mostly composed of first and second takes with minimal overdubs, the level of intimacy achieved herein extends beyond the depth of overall vibes (though they’re well in abundance). It can also be felt on the margins of an Afro-infused offering to the unseen forces of destiny such as “Menidaso (My Hope)” - when a sweeping coda (and invocation in Twi from percussionist/vocalist Eric Owusu) recedes, leaving just the low hum of an amp. Or in sonic accents like the laughter of Szabi’s young daughter Flóra that accompanies “Shining” - an homage to J Dilla that borrows its title and sense of tricky rhythm from the late production genius’s oeuvre.

Most prevalent is the theme of the continuum, musically and conceptually. Recurrent phrases permeate a lovely reading of a traditional Hungarian folk song of longing, “Gyászba Borult Isten Csillagvára” (“God’s Star Castle Has Fallen To Grief”). Specifically, Ernő Hock’s double bass line over and around which Ziggy Zeitgeist’s drums (and spontaneous, guttural “aaahhs”), Ori Jacobson’s tenor, and Szabi’s piano joust with equal measures intensity and sensitivity. Its companion composition is “Home” - an original also inspired by traditional Hungarian music, but treated as a gorgeous waltz for jazz sextet that conjures the emotional gravitas inherent in contemplating one’s roots.

Beauty and tension are in perfect balance on “Bloom (Flóra)” - christened after the aforementioned laughing interlocutor. Szabi’s piano establishes a repeating descending four-note melodic phrase set against sustained strings, creating an aural cocoon within which Ziggy and Eric’s percussion, Fanni Zahár’s flute, Ori’s tenor saxophone, and András Koroknay’s gurgling Mini Moog complement the main theme at varying intervals. Though Awakening features no title track per se, this one well captures the album’s spirit, with apt descriptors equally applicable to a life’s journey: wondrous, mysterious, melancholy, and over before you realize.

Àbáse’s is of course neither the first recording (nor entity) of improvisational-based music to embrace the name Awakening (beloved antecedents from Ahmad Jamal to Black Jazz Records amongst those having set the precedent). Yet the title’s revival also feels apropos given the cyclical themes emphasized and explored, serving as an acknowledgment of the path undertaken by those that came before.

Cosmically speaking, Szabi and Àbáse come closest to channeling the energy of their influences on “Sun Is Away,” an improvised piece sprung from unlikely beginnings: a confounding, late hour session in which everyone was exhausted and ready to call it a night (with at least one member of the group in danger of dozing off behind the mic stand). “But for some reason we didn't,” Szabi remembers. “Then our double bass player, Ernő threw these words at me: ‘Sun Ra.’ It became our point of reference. I just laughed, and off we went.”

The piece commences as a brusque conversation between piano, bass and percussion that gradually invites participation from the rest of the group as it builds in momentum and intent over its nine minutes. As fate would have it after laying down the initial take, Szabi had the opportunity to play the track and explain its origin for Knoel Scott and Cecil Brooks of the Sun Ra Arkestra. Expressing enthusiasm, the elders lent their voices to the celestial chorus voicing the title refrain at the tune’s climax, completing the recording and providing Awakening with its centerpiece. “A truly full circle moment,” says Szabi, “The most pure and honest music on the album.” Also perhaps a sign - that as we proceed through this world listening for the way forward, that which awaits us may also be listening back.

Tracklist:
1. Greeting Mother Sea (Intro)
2. Shining (feat. Ori Jacobson)
3. Menidaso (My Hope) (feat. Fanni Zahar, King Owusu, Ori Jacobson)
4. Destruction Everywhere (feat. Fanni Zahar, Ori Jacobson)
5. Orbit Sirius (Sunmo Mi Ee)
6. Bloom (Flora)
7. Gyászba Borult Isten Csillagvára (God's Star Castle Has Fallen to Grief)
8. Home
9. Vérmező
10. Sun Is Away
11. Shango (Chant to the God of Thunder)
12. Greeting Mother Sea (Outro)

FloFilz - handful

ᕼᗩᑎᗪᖴᑌᒪ

Berlin-based beatmaker FloFilz is gearing up to unveil his latest musical journey "handful" via Cologne beat label casual low grind this summer.

His new release serves as a culmination of 10 tracks crafted over a two-year period, showcasing FloFilz's skill as an artist. Collaborating with both longtime friends (Hubert Daviz, Wun Two) and new musical companions (Rob Araujo, HNNY, Gabiga), the record reflects his diverse influences and experiences, including a stay at a songwriting camp in France in late summer '23. The impressive roster of internationally renowned producers and the additional feature by talented Los Angeles-based singer KALLITECHNIS, adding a dynamic dimension to the project.

Describing the project FloFilz shared, "It’s kind of a breather, a way to remind myself of the journey so far and what’s to come. A handing to old and new listeners, a waypoint and a thank you."

Tracklist:
1. Early Birds (feat. HNNY)
2. Catta Pilosa (feat. Gabiga)
3. Wisdom
4. Cloverleaf (feat. Hubert Daviz)
5. Ovinhos (feat. Wun Two)
6. Vulkán
7. Nightly Passage (feat. Rob Araujo)
8. Magic (feat. KALLITECHNIS)
9. Nap Lines (Outro)
10. Magic (Instrumental)

Mestizo Beat - Jaraguá

Jaraguá (haa-raa-WAH) noun - a tall forage grass known for its resistance to adverse environments.

From a melting pot of influences and cultures, Mestizo Beat takes the lead, offering the next wave of instrumental West Coast Latin Funk to come out of Southern California. Their sophomore LP, "Jaraguá," highlights the group's dedication and resistance to keep pushing many boundaries while paying respect to the generation that came before them. Blending the sounds of early 70s Funk & Soul, Latin-Jazz, and Afrobeat, Mestizo Beat takes musicianship and production to their highest level, offering a complete package of masterfully crafted recordings and original compositions into a brand new, hot off the press, 12" LP.

Entirely self-produced and written by Aquiles 'Lito' Magaña and Agustin 'Gus' Magaña (The Magaña Brothers) along with core group members Jose Castro, Pedro Flores & chief horn arranger Jesse Audelo. The band has also enlisted a diverse array of additional skilled players to enhance the sonic elements required of each track. Contributions from other band members Doug Organ, Fabio De Souza and Max O'Leary as well as collaborations with horn player Jason Cressey and featured vocalist Jamie Allensworth, have transformed this LP into the embodiment of Mestizo Beat's vision. A true collective of musicians, all united by the common goal of delivering high-quality funk music.

From the cinematic opening of the title track 'Jaraguá' and the Blaxploitation-inspired single 'She's A Rose' to the groove-centric cuts like 'The Jaguar' and 'Black Bag,' Mestizo Beat's musical exploration knows no bounds. Venturing further with soulful burners like 'The Jaguar' and 'Two Eleven,' the group unleashes their full potential on 'II The Deepcyde,' featuring the renowned guest vocalist Jamie Allensworth. The album is rounded off with the Nigerian disco-funk inspired 'Lotsapoppa' and a foray into the Cumbia genre with 'Cumbia de Jaraguá,' all offering a diverse and exhilarating musical journey. Recorded and produced at the band's hillside Topanga, CA studio, SPC 166, each song showcases the unique talents of the ensemble. Remaining true to their sound and recording techniques, 'Jaraguá' was tracked to 1/4" tape and mixed by Sergio Rios at Killion Sound.

Tracklist:
1. Jaraguá
2. On My Way
3. She's A Rose
4. Lotsapoppa
5. The Jaguar
6. Black Bag
7. Slugs' (Interlude)
8. Two Eleven
9. II The Deepcyde
10. Cumbia De Jaraguá

Craig Charles - The Craig Charles Trunk of Funk, Vol. 3

In Craig Charles' own words ‘The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Volume 3' features "19 of the finest slices of super slinky soul, boot shaking blues and boogie, dazzling discofied ditties and fine funky rump shakers!”

As a lifelong soul boy, Craig Charles has been adding to his trunk of funk since his youth in Liverpool, going to see local heroes The Real Thing live, and wearing out his shoe leather dancing in the city’s many underground clubs.

As a poet, actor, radio & television star (including comedy sci fi 'Red Dwarf' and soap opera 'Coronation Street') he’s been famous since his teenage years, and for over 22 years he has been evangelising for the good groove via his world renowned BBC 6 Music weekend and day time shows, DJing at clubs and festivals around the globe – his reputation as a one of the highest profile ambassadors for all things soulful & funky is indisputable.

Craig's latest collection, his tenth in total, like all the previous releases has been curated in partnership with his long time compilation collaborator Greg Boraman of IMPRESS!VE Collective Music & Arts and blends up-tempo club classics, with fresh music from the cream of the crop from the contemporary soul and funk scene with a smattering of old school classics. The end result is akin to having Craig personally DJing in your own home – blending contemporary and classic soul, disco, deep funk and beat heavy rhythm and blues.

Beautifully presented in a double LP gatefold sleeve & CD, The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Volume 3 is a treat for the hundreds of thousands of listeners of his BBC Radio radio shows, regulars at his club nights and also for DJ’s who need 19 floor focused musical treats in one handy package.

Tracklist:
1. The Third Degree - Mercy (Smoove Remix)
2. Say She She - In The Morning
3. Beggar & Co - Somebody Help Me Out (Boogie Back Radio Mix)
4. Sai Galaxy - Rendezvous
5. Dave Lee - Starlight (Radio Edit)
6. Kylie Auldist - LYB (Love You Better) (The Waz Exclusive Trunk Of Funk Remix)
7. Lexsoul Dancemachine - I Don't Mind (Mr. Lex Trunk of Funk Remix)
8. Sunlightsquare - I Thought It Was You (Live)
9. The New Mastersounds - Watchu Want (Exclusive Trunk of Funk Vocal Version)
10. The Harlem Gospel Travelers - God's In Control
11. SISTER COOKIE - Ain't No Good (But It's Good Enough For Me)
12. Sugaray Rayford - Gonna Lift You Up
13. Kaz Hawkins - Shake (2022 Remaster)
14. The Nextmen - Big Time
15. La Rochelle Band - Prophet
16. The Niceguys - Power (A.Skillz Remix)
17. Sly Johnson - Trust Me
18. Cotonete - Day in Day Out
19. Roy Ayers - Tarzan

Lafayette Afro-Rock Band - Malik

Recorded in Paris and New York under the production guidance of Pierre Jaubert ("Berjot"), the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band were a jazz-based super session group that created a heavy, dense, no compromise ghetto funk that has since been sampled by everyone from Public Enemy to Wreckz 'N' Effect.

After the first release of the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band, Soul Makossa, everyone was quick to recognize such an abundance of talent in one group. The response was immediate to the new rhythm in their music, which was to delve into the contemporary disco scene with Malik.

At this point, we could go on and on, but for those who already know the band, you will be fully aware of what we mean. For those who are listening for the first time, the Lafayette Afro-Rock Bands bandwagon is becoming larger and is ready to take people on their heaviest musical trip!

Tracklist:
A1 Djungi
A2 Raff
A3 Conga
A4 Avi-Vo
B1 Malik
B2 Darkest Light
B3 Baba Hya

Black Diamond - Furniture of the Mind Rearranging

Chicago's Black Diamond debuts on We Jazz Records with their new album Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging on 5th July. Co-led by Artie Black and Hunter Diamond (composers, saxophones, and other woodwinds), Black Diamond appears in both quartet and duo formations. The first three album sides present the quartet, complete with long standing band members Matt Ulery (double bass) and Neil Hemphill (drums), under the heading Furniture Of the Mind. The remaining two tracks on side D fall under the title The Mind Rearranging, with Black and Diamond presenting a meditative duo encounter of two tenor saxophones.

Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging is an assemblage of new compositions and improvisations that develop the band's established sound and exemplify the way in which this band folds into the Chicago creative music community. The quartet traverses their familiar aesthetic ranges between driving off-kilter groove, plaintive minimalism, and intimate chamber music, with the ever-present spirit of small-group jazz and a hovering influence of Chicago’s improvised music culture. And while this collection represents three previous albums and more than a decade of close kinship and artistic evolution between co-leaders Black and Diamond, neither are too precious about any one element on the album. This is very simply the latest work in what continues to be an expanding body work founded on a guiding principle: cultivation without expectation.

Starting right from album opener "Carrying the Stick", Black Diamond shares new music that's immediately engaging. Lean instrumentation with plenty of space, potent groove-based experimentalism and a sense of meditative introspection live effortlessly side by side in the band's work. This is music left of the timeline, topical through belonging on a much broader continuum rather than anything specifically "current" and short-lived. While marinated in the foundational concepts of creative music and Chicago's rich musical tradition, Black Diamond is not afraid to search new paths in their music.

“Zoetic,” related to vitality and the nature of living things, was composed by Diamond for the occasion of an interdisciplinary exposition (of the same name) hosted at Elastic Arts Foundation in Chicago. At this event, the band celebrated the release of new music, visual artist Marine Tempels opened a show of new paintings in the visual gallery, and the entire venue was decorated by a local botanic artist. The composition was inspired by previous live improvised duos between Black and Diamond, including a particularly exploratory performance at the 2018 Chicago Jazz Festival. The two-tenor intro uses a cyclical round to integrate the rest of the band, and then unfolds into a plaintive but bolstered melody.

“Say to Yourself” epitomizes Black Diamond’s flexibility, moving with a sense of inevitability between danceable grooves and abstracted improvisation. On this track the band develops material collaboratively, speaking a shared language born out of a decade of growth as an ensemble. The main theme of the piece emphasizes the distinctive blend of Black and Diamond’s tenors, unfolded through rhythmic layering and permutation often evident in Black’s compositional voice.

The two long form duo improvisations “Mycelium” and “Motor Neurons” that make up The Mind Rearranging teem with visual prompts and miniature tone-poems. In this instance, the music takes a leap forward as a stark two-saxophone dialogue reminiscent of the austere and nuanced duo recordings of BAG (Black Artists Group) saxophonists Oliver Lake and Julius Hemphill’s Buster Bee or the title track of AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) saxophonists Joseph Jarman and Anthony Braxton’s Together Alone.

The four sides with two formations flow together in a natural way, forming an idiosyncratic musical entity that is sure to grow with each new spin on the turntable.

Tracklist:
1. Carrying the Stick
2. Dovetail
3. Seen
4. Zoetic
5. Jayber Crow
6. Mantis
7. Say to Yourself
8. Under the Garden
9. Furniture of the Mind
10. Lost Motion
11. Catlett
12. Mycelium
13. Motor Neurons