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In coordination with September 26th’s Record Store Day (the second RSD of 2020), Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label released a brand new limited-edition 12inch single by London-based ensemble Maisha, titled Open The Gates.
Legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz has been at the forefront of some of the greatest recordings over the past six decades, performing alongside Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Jackie McLean and numerous others, while also putting out many groundbreaking records with his own bands, including the spiritual jazz ensemble NTU Troop, and collaborating with the Mizell Brothers on the jazz-funk anthem “Music Is My Sanctuary”. On his latest recording, the jazz great teams up with leading UK group Maisha on a a special straight-to-disc session for the London-based label, Night Dreamer.
The latest breakthrough jazz release from Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label comes from the London-based group Maisha. This six-piece band features superb drummer and band leader Jake Long, as well as one of the leading musicians in jazz right now in saxophonist Nubya Garcia.
East London-based musician, musical director, and producer Amane Suganami has been very active over the last several years, playing keys with notable UK group Maisha, and serving as Musical Director for Jorja Smith, Amaarae, Ego Ella May and Maverick Sabre, as well as performing alongside some major names like Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and many others. Despite a constantly busy touring schedule, Amane has been able to step out on his own and release an impressive debut EP on Música Macondo, titled Moments Of Solace.
Flock is a new collaborative ensemble featuring five of London’s most forward-thinking and groundbreaking musicians, including percussionist, gyil player, producer Bex Burch (Vula Viel), drummer and tabla virtuoso Sarathy Korwar, synth wiz Dan “Danalogue” Leavers (Soccer96, The Comet Is Coming), pianist Al MacSween (Maisha) and bass clarinetist, flautist, and soprano saxophonist Tamar Osborn (Collocutor). The all-star group will be releasing their brilliant and highly-anticipated debut album for Strut later next month on May 20th.
For the latest release in the absolutely brilliant Jazz Is Dead series, Los Angeles based producers/multi-instrumentalists Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have joined forces with legendary saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz on an incredible new full-length album.
As we get ready to enter the new year, I’ve put together one final “favorites” list, featuring some of the best EP releases that came out over the past twelve months. Sometimes the line is blurring as to what is an EP and what is considered an album, and definitely a few of the selections below can arguably be considered full-length recordings. Regardless, I thought this provides another opportunity to highlight some of the brilliant recordings that helped get us through this very challenging year. Happy New Year everyone!
28-year-old saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia has been one the most active and impactful artists among the current London jazz scene. Over the past few years, she has collaborated with some of the region’s most breakthrough artists and collectives, including notable recordings with both ensembles Nérija and Maisha, as well as two highly acclaimed EPs in Nubya’s 5ive (2017) and When We Are (2018). In 2019, she was the recipient of the Jazz FM UK Jazz Act of the Year Award. This week, she releases her much-anticipated full-length debut album on Concord Records, titled Source.
Before we look ahead to the New Year, it’s important that we look back at some of the best EP releases of 2019, often featuring debut recordings from some of the most rising artists and groups, which this year included KOKOROKO, Neue Grafik, Ebi Soda, Still Moving, Nejrup, Rōnin Arkestra, IG Culture’s Likwid Continual Space Motion project, and many others.
This was an incredible year for new album releases that spanned a wide range of genres. I even felt at times it was hard to keep track of all the great new music that was being released on weekly basis. Selecting my favorite albums was extremely challenging, yet still very enjoyable. I’m sure in weeks or even days from now, I will realize that I forgotten to include a worthy release, or discover an album that might of slipped by me.
