BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2022
As we wind down the final days of 2022, we take a look back at just some of the essential compilation releases over the past 12 months. From rare dance floor jazz to spiritual grooves and obscure Brazilian gems, there was a lot to absorb from some of the year’s best compiled releases. Similar to what we’ve seen with recent reissues, each year it seems like the quality of compilations continue to excel, with labels, record collectors, archivists, and DJs putting together some of the most interesting selections of music from all corners of the world.
When it comes to organizing a record release, there might not be something more challenging than compiling music for a compilation. Unlike a Spotify playlist, these releases require sourcing and licensing the music, which is often much more challenging than selecting the tracks. That being said, compilations play an important part in telling a story about either a time period, a region, a sub-genre of a sub-genre and many times, all of the above. They often also serve as musical “gateway drugs” into whole worlds of lesser known music for listeners, in which they can continue to explore well beyond each release.
Shoutout to all the labels and people involved in seeing these compilations to the finish line. It’s a ton of work, however is an important musical vehicle of discover for so many!
Here are BeatCaffeine’s ‘Favorite Compilations of 2022’
10. Various — ‘John Sinclair Presents Detroit Artists Workshop’
(Strut / Art Yard)
UK labels Art Yard and Strut jointly released the first ever retrospective highlighting material recorded through the influential Detroit Artists Workshop, spanning 1965 to 1978. Led by author, DJ, and activist John Sinclair and trumpeter Charles Moore, the Artists Workshop Society was formed as a co-op that provided spaces in Detroit for musicians to rehearse and promote live concerts. Between the mid-‘60s and the early ‘80s, Sinclair amassed a huge archive of recordings. This first of what hopefully becomes a multiple volume compilation series, includes previously unreleased recordings by Donald Byrd, Charles Moore, Ron English, Lyman Woodard, Bennie Maupin, and Teddy Harris. A project that has been 7 years in the making, this is absolutely essential for every jazz fan!
9. Various — ‘Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro’
(Sounds and Colours)
The city of Rio de Janeiro has a long well-documented history of producing some of the greatest Brazilian artists from the past century including legends like Marcos Valle, Arthur Verocai, Azymuth, Sérgio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Ben Jor, Tim Maia, Joyce Moreno and countless others. Over the past decade, the region has had a strong resurgence of new artists presenting a more left-field take on bossa nova, samba, jazz and funk. The Sounds and Colours label celebrated these groundbreaking artists on a great compilation Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro. This highly eclectic 2xLP release features 20 forward-thinking Rio de Janeiro-based acts fusing together elements of Tropicália, samba, disco, Candomblé, lo-fi rock, jazz, bossa nova, experimental electronics and everything in-between.
8. Various — ‘Disco Reggae Rockers’
(Soul Jazz Records)
Following in the footsteps of their highly acclaimed 2002 compilation Hustle: Disco Reggae, London’s Soul Jazz Records released a superb new collection of disco reggae gems, titled Disco Reggae Rockers. The 2xLP release features reggae covers of classic funk, soul, disco and boogie songs by Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, The Isley Brothers, Candi Staton, Curtis Mayfield and more as performed by Derrick Harriott, Devon Russell, Hortense Ellis, Glen Adams, Dave Barker and others.
Preview ‘Disco Reggae Rockers Here
7. Various — ‘Hyperituals Vol 1: Soul Note’
Compiled by Khalab
(Hyperjazz Records)
Italian artist and producer Raffaele Constantino, better known in many music circles as Khalab, has been at the forefront of some the most otherworldly futuristic electronic recordings. This past year he launched a promising new compilation series, called Hyperituals, with the first two volumes exploring the deep jazz vaults of the influential, yet unsung Milan sister labels Black Saint/Soul Note. This 13-track compilation features some of the greatest music from artists like Hamiet Bluiett, Andrew Cyrille, Beaver Harris, Tony Scott, Billy Bang, Nana Vasconcelos, and others, including more venturous selections from well-established jazz greats like Max Roach and Paul Motion.
6. Various — ‘With Love: Volume 1 – Compiled by Miche’
(Mr Bongo)
With an impressive history of essential compilations releases, UK label/record shop Mr Bongo launched a new series, titled With Love. Volume 1 was compiled by Miche and presents a curated 14-track selection of highly-obscure Brazilian, gospel, modern soul and jazz-fusion. Some of the highlights of this superb compilation include Brazilian rarities by Alcione and Quintâessencia, UFO gospel by Keith Chism & Light, the jazz-funk/AOR sounds of City Lites, and the anthemic feel-good emotional soul of Belita Woods to name a few. This is one of those essential records you can just turn on, and not worry about skipping any tracks — while also hearing some of the rarest gems you’ll ever come across.
5. Various — Charles Maurice Presents ‘Fusion Global Sounds (1970-1983)’
(Favorite Recordings)
Favorite Recordings founder, label boss, and notable record collector Charles Maurice compiled a mind-blowing collection of extremely rare jazz-funk and fusion grooves from the 1970s and early 1980s, titled Fusion Global Sounds (1970-1983). The 9-track nine-track recording spans many regions, featuring obscure selections from Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, New Zealand, Uruguay, Spain and France, often from artists and bands mostly known in their local scenes. Many of the tracks included on the compilation have a strong Fender Rhodes presence, as well with a slight tropical and soulful vibe that crosses a bit into AOR territory.
4. Various — ‘Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura’
(Mr Bongo)
UK-based DJ, radio broadcaster, and selector Luke Una, who made his mark in the underground scenes of Manchester beginning in the mid-80s, teamed up with the Mr Bongo label/record shop for an incredible and wildly eclectic compilation, titled É Soul Cultura. Featuring a wide selection of new, old, rare, and even dollar bin finds, this 15 track release features everything from Brazilian grooves to cosmic jazz, street soul, balearic, and just about everything in between.
3. Various — ‘If Music Presents You Need This: An Introduction To Klinkhamer Records’
Compiled by Michel Veenstra
(BBE / If Music Presents)
For one of his compilations in 2022, Jean-Claude Thompson’s fantastic If Music Presents You Need This compilation series turned it’s focus to Dutch record shop Klinkhamer Records (located in Groningen), and invited owner Michel Veenstra to highlight some of his most notable “holy grails” that have come through the shop over the years. Featuring 6 incredible tracks, the record features a mix of highly-obscure spiritual grooves, jazz-funk, soul and gospel from the late 70s and early to mid 80s. Much of the music is from across Holland, however the compilation features some selections that come out of Chicago and Italy.
2. Various — ‘Brasil Novo’
Compiled by Tahira and Tim Garcia
(Musica Macondo)
The excellent UK-based label Música Macondo teamed up with DJs Tahira (São Paulo) and Tim Garcia (London) released a brilliant compilation, titled Brasil Novo, featuring a collection of previously unreleased contemporary dance floor Afro-Brazilian gems. Disseminating the rich and percussive heritage of Brazil and Samba De Coco, this incredible eight-track compilation celebrates the unfamiliar artists from the cities of Recife, Rio De Janeiro and São Paulo, the music blending together joyous sounds of samba, candomble, batuques, Brazilian jazz, and folk, all with a nod towards the dancefloor.
1. Various — ‘Colin Curtis Presents: Jazz Dance Fusion Vol. 3 Part I & II’
(Z Records)
Legendary UK deejay Colin Curtis had a very active 2022, releasing two EPs by GeeW, another EP by Tom Funk’s Sultan Swing project, and his volume three of his incredible Jazz Dance Fusion compilation series on Z Records. Similar to volume two of the series, this two-part 2xLP compilation release features a combination of dancefloor jazz tracks that had previously not been released on vinyl, and brand new material that had yet to be released in any format up to this point. Some of the exclusive tracks include selections from Idris Ackamoor, Martin Johnson B3, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, JuJu, Bellita and Jazztumbatá, GeeW, and JD73’s ElecTrio. Over the past two years, many of these recordings have been in heavy rotation on his phenomenal 3-hour ‘Jazz Dance & Fusion’ radio show (previously on Worldwide FM) on UK’s The Hitmix 107.5 FM (Every Sunday, 2PM – 5PM GMT).
