BeatCaffeine’s Favorite EPs of 2019
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.
So, as we round out this year’s final “best of” list, here are BeatCaffeine’s favorite EPs of 2019.
10. Rudy’s Midnight Machine — ‘La Cadenza’
(Faze Action Records)
Under his Rudy’s Midnight Machine alias, Faze Action’s Robin Lee returned in 2019 with a new five-track EP influenced heavily by early 80’s Brit and jazz-funk. This great new recording fuses tropical balearic grooves and electronic synths, with funky drum machine-based rhythms and electric bass lines.
9. The Comet Is Coming — ‘The Afterlife’
(Impulse!)
Following the release of the critically acclaimed full-length album Trust in The Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery, the cosmic jazz trio featuring King Shabaka (Shabaka Hutchings), synth wizard Danalogue (Dan Leavers), and drummer Betamax (Max Hallet) released this equally incredible “companion” EP tilted The Afterlife. On this six-track recording, the group continues to explore their Afro-futuristic sound, blending astral and spiritual jazz melodies, with pulsating electronics, droning synth bass lines, and groove-centric rhythms.
8. Neue Grafik Ensemble — ‘Foulden Road’
(Total Refreshment Records)
London’s influential music venue and recording studio Total Refreshment Centre has been at the heart of London’s thriving jazz scene since it was established back in 2012. Their latest release features the highly innovative French producer, instrumentalist and DJ, Neue Grafik with an ensemble that features Emma-Jean Thackray, Vels Trio’s Dougal Taylor on drums, and guest appearances from saxophonist Nubya Garcia and vocalist/pianist Allysha Joy. Influenced by London’s currently diverse music scene, the album blends spacey jazz grooves over funky broken beat rhythms.
7. GoGo Penguin — ‘Ocean In a Drop’
(Blue Note Records)
Manchester’s electro-acoustic trio GoGo Penguin release a brilliant new EP on Blue Note Records featuring original music written for their score to Godfrey Reggio’s 1982 cult film, Koyaanisqatsi (originally scored by Philip Glass). The recording compliments the film beautifully by featuring a nice blend of softer calming minimalistic moments, as well as explosive intricate melodies that often create an atmosphere of tension and intensity. Remarkable from start to finish, Ocean In A Drop is arguably the group’s most adventurous recording to date.
6. Ebi Soda — ‘s/t’ EP
(Sola Terra)
The Brighton-based septet releases their debut EP through the new London-based label Sola Terra. This four-track groove-heavy jazz record combines funky rhythms with swelling horn lines, and electric keys. This group also followed up this brilliant recording, with the DIY recorded Bedroom Tapes — also worth checking out!
5. Still Moving — ‘s/t’ EP
(Lanquidity Records)
London based trio featuring saxophonist Nat Philipps, drummer Pike Ogilvy, and Sam Bates on both synths and drum machines releases their debut EP on Lanquidity Records. On this impressive four track recording, the group nicely blends together moody improvisational modal jazz grooves with folk rhythms, atmospheric tones, and club-oriented electronics.
4. Likwid Continual Space Motion (LCSM) — ‘EP1’
(Super-Sonic Jazz Records)
Under the alias of “Likwid Continual Space Motion” or “LCSM”, this was one of the latest great releases from London-based pioneering broken beat producer IG Culture. Released for a new science-fiction theatre production titled Earthbound, the recording also features members of Steam Down, Alex Phountzi of Selectors Assemble (see Bugz In The Attic), and Rhythm Section’s Neue Grafik. The afro-futurist recording nicely fuses together Sun Ra-like space-jazz melodies, otherworldly synth grooves, and funky percussive rhythms. Space is definitely the place, and this is your soundtrack!
3. Nejrup — ‘Manda’
(Creak Inc. Records)
Based out of Copenhagen, Nejrup is a self-taught pianist, synth wizard, and producer. His debut EP fuses together Fender Rhodes melodies and spacey-synth lines with broken beat rhythms and atmospheric tones, brilliantly blurring the line between jazz and electronic music.
2. Rōnin Arkestra — ‘First Meeting’
(Albert’s Favourites)
Led by producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Mark de Clive Lowe, Rōnin Arkestra brings together some of the most forward-thinking musicians in Japan’s thriving jazz and electronic scene, including members from Kyoto Jazz Sextet, WONK, Cro-Magnon, Root Soul, Sleepwalker, Sauce81, and Kyoto Jazz Massive. The sextet’s debut is a brilliant melding of jazz improvisation, soaring horn and piano-driven melodies, electronics, programmed beats, spacey synths, and groove oriented rhythms.
1. KOKOROKO — ‘s/t EP’
(Brownswood)
Last year, the London-based 8-piece ensemble received high-praise globally for their “Abusey Junction” track on Brownswood’s We Out Here compilation. Led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey, the West African influenced jazz group returns with their four-song debut EP that blends Afrobeat rhythms, soaring horn melodies, and soul-shaking grooves with West African and Ethio-jazz influences. The band also features some of the best musicians currently coming out of the thriving London jazz scene, including saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi (also of Nérija and SEED Ensemble), trombonist Richie Seivewright, guitarist Oscar Jerome (also of Maisha), Yohan Kebede on keys, bassist Mutale Chashi, drummer Ayo Salawu, and percussionist Onome Edgeworth.
