BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2019
It’s that time of the year again where we spend some time and look back at many of our favorite releases over the past twelve months. To kick things off, we take a look at our top 10 favorite compilations of 2019, those records that often introduce many of us to new/old artists, obscure rarities, and/or explorations into lesser known sounds from all corners of the world.
From Brownswood’s brilliant Melbourne-focused Sunny Side Up to Jazzman Record’s exploration into the legendary Prestige jazz label and Mr. Bongo’s third volume of their Record Club series, this year saw a number of incredible and must-own compilations, making the task this year of narrowing this list down to the top ten quite challenging.
With that being said, here is BeatCaffeine’s favorite compilations of 2019.
10. Two Tribes
(Agogo Records)
From African-rooted artists currently based in Europe, to collaborations between European and African artists, Two Tribes celebrates diversity and intercontinental openness in music. Described as “an intercontinental journey in rhythm,” the 12-track recording is wide ranging in sound, blending electronic beats, African funk, Ethio-jazz, and dub together in unique and innovative ways that utilize both traditional African instrumentation and electronic production.
9. IF Music presents You Need This: A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 3
(BBE)
Major vinyl collector and founder of London’s IF Music record shop, Jean-Claude, releases the third volume of his brilliant compilation series IF Music presents You Need This: A Journey Into Deep Jazz. Like other compilations in this series, this record continues to explore obscure and lesser known jazz cuts from all corners of the globe. Featuring selections from Jean-Claude’s personal collection, this compilation includes both heavy dance floor jazz groovers and deep spiritual gems.
8. Disco With A Feeling
(Athens Of The North)
Athen of the North’s incredible 16-track compilation was curated by close friend of the label and well-respected Portland-based DJ/selector David Haffner, who has helped license many of their rarest forty-five releases. Featuring a solid mix of obscure and independent disco, boogie, and modern soul, this release includes a number of classic titles that have previously been reissued by AOTN, however have been out-of-print for years, and some never-before reissued dancefloor gems.
7. Spiritual Jazz 10: Prestige
(Jazzman Records)
Earlier this year, Jazzman Records continued it’s critically-acclaimed Spiritual Jazz series by diving deep into the Blue Note vaults and compiling together some of the most progressive and experimental recordings from the label’s catalog. Jazzman Gerald continues this similar label focus with volume ten of the series, this time shedding light on the legendary Prestige label and some of it’s most essential and groundbreaking recordings during the sixties and seventies from jazz greats Yusef Lateef, Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Mal Waldron, Gary Bartz, Roy Haynes, and others.
6. Nigeria 70: No Wahala: Highlife, Afro-Funk & Juju 1973-1987
(Strut)
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the London-based Strut label releases the next chapter in their highly acclaimed Nigeria 70 series, featuring obscure 70s and 80s Afro-funk, highlife, and juju gems that include strong influences of jazz, soul, disco, and funk. Compiled by collector and DJ Duncan Brooker, the record also features comprehensive sleeve notes that include exclusive interviews with some of the original artists.
5. Brazil USA 70: Brazilian Music In The USA In The 1970s
(Soul Jazz Records)
On this sixteen track compilation, London’s Soul Jazz Records highlights many of the greatest Brazilian artists living and working in the USA during the 1970s. Some of the groundbreaking artists featured on the record include Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Sergio Mendes, Eumir Deodato, Milton Nascimento, Dom Um Romao and others. This record represents a very explorative and creative period for these artists, as the experimented with fusing together Brazilian-rooted music with the jazz, funk, and rock sounds that they were being exposed to while living in the states.
4. J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1969-83 Vol. 2’
(BBE Records)
London’s BBE Records follows up last year’s brilliant J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan, 1969-84 compilation with a second volume featuring fourteen additional rare jazz selections out of the Far East. Co-compiled by notable Japanese jazz vinyl collectors Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, the compilation touches upon a wide range of styles, ranging from spiritual jazz to post-bop burners, electric fusion-era groovers, and cinematic big band recordings.
3. Mr Bongo Record Club Vol. Three
(Mr Bongo)
The UK-based Mr Bongo label and record shop celebrates 30 incredible years with the release of their third Record Club compilation. This brilliant series features a wide variety of obscure selections, favorites, and recent finds that have been featured on Mr Bongo’s radio shows, mixes, and DJ sets. The music spans from Afro-funk, highlife, Latin, and Brazilian grooves, to rare soul, funk, and disco.
2. Jambú e Os Míticos Sons Da Amazônia
(Analog Africa)
Analog Africa’s 28th compilation highlights Amazonian dance music from the Brazilian city of Belém during the 1970s. Compiled by Analog Africa’s label boss Samy Ben Redjeb and Australian DJ/Producer Carlo Xavier, Jambú features nineteen tropical dance floor gems that explore the regional sounds of Carimbó, Samba-De-Cacete, Siriá, Bois-Bumbás and bambiá.
1. Sunny Side Up
(Brownswood Recordings)
Following last year’s London jazz focused We Out Here compilation, Gilles Peterson and his Brownswood label turned their attention to the coastal Australian city of Melbourne, highlighting nine incredible acts that make up the region’s currently diverse music scene. Under the musical direction of Silentjay, the compilation features rising artists like Phil Stroud, Dufresne, Kuzich, Audrey Powne, the Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, Laneous, Horatio Luna, and Alysha Joy, this record highlights the regions fusion of a wide range of genres, including jazz-funk, hard-bop, electronics, hip-hop inspired beats, spiritual melodies, and electric soulful grooves. Absolutely one of the best releases of 2019, regardless of category or genre.
MORE RECOMMENDED COMPILATIONS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Spiritual Jazz 9: Blue Notes Part 1 & 2 (Jazzman Records)
Nigeria Soul Power 70 (Soul Jazz Records)
Untitled (The Vinyl Factory)
Esa Presents Amandla: Music To The People (Soundway)
World Spirituality Classics 2: The Time For Peace Is Now (Luaka Bop)
