Author: TJ Gorton
Originally self-released in 1985, Soundway reissues the highly sought-after single “We Can Move” from Free Youth. This is the first known hip-hop single to come out of Ghana.
Originally released in 1983 by Nimbus West Records (formally Nimbus Records), Outernational Sounds reissues the deep spiritual jazz gem, titled Journey Into Nigritia from iconic Los Angeles pianist Nate Morgan.
Featuring some of the top players in London’s thriving jazz scene, Nérija follows up their breakthrough self-titled EP, which was re-released earlier this year, with their debut full-length album on Domino.
Originally released on the independent Manhattan-based label Montuno in 1989, Soul Jazz Records has recently reissued Airto Moreira’s rarely scene album Samba De Flora.
Over the past decade, Max Weissenfeldt’s Berlin-based Philophon label has released some of the best modern day Ethio-jazz and African-influenced groove oriented recordings, mostly in 7inch form. Recently, the label’s studio group The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love have put out their first release under their own name.
The Leeds, UK quartet follows up last year’s breakthrough debut with a brand new album off of ATA Records, titled Clap Your Hands, that features eight new tracks of Latin-tinged jazz dance groovers.
On Tuesday, July 30th, BeatCaffeine’s Higher Ground returns featuring Bay Area’s cosmic jazz pianist Javier Santiago and his trio at The RIC bar in Oakland.
London-based deejay and producer Ash Walker takes listeners on a cosmic deep sea jazz voyage on his third full-length album, Aquamarine.
Following the success of last year’s We Out Here compilation that helped highlight London’s thriving jazz scene, Gilles Peterson and his Brownswood label have turned their attention to the coastal Australian city of Melbourne on a remarkable new compilation titled, Sunny Side Up, highlighting nine incredible acts that make up the region’s current jazz movement.
Sun Ra was one of the most originally unique and forward-thinking composers and bandleaders of the last century. Claiming that he came to Earth from Saturn to spread the message of peace, the experimental pianist/ keyboardist and his ever-evolving ensemble the Arkestra fused together 40s era big band swing with bebop, the blues, free improvisation, spacey electronics, call-and-response chants, and psyched-out jazz-funk grooves to create a signature sound that always seemed to push the boundaries.
In 2014, the Numero Group label helped introduce the world to the Chicago-based funk group The Universal Togetherness Band with three incredible releases, including one full-length album and two 7inch singles. Just when many of us thought we’ve heard everything from this late seventies-early eighties band, the label has just put out a brand new 45rpm single featuring two previously unreleased tracks.
As Mr Bongo continues to celebrate 30 years (!!!), the label/record shop’s latest 7inch reissue of Zé Roberto’s 1973 Brazilian holy grail Lotus 72 D might be their best so far of the year.
Led by producer and arranger Will Miller, the expansive Chicago-based jazz collective Resavoir release their brilliantly crafted debut album on International Anthem.
