BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown 03.14.25
This week’s BeatCaffeine Weekly Record Rundown includes the incredible soul-jazz collaboration between The Lewis Express and flautist Chip Wickham, the latest offering from forward-thinking British-Bahrani trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, a beautifully lush album from North Carolina trio Okonski, and the fifth volume of legendary producer and DJ John Beltran’s must-buy-them-all Back to Bahia series.
The Lewis Express + Chip Wickham — ‘Doo-Ha!’
(ATA Records)
UK-based quartet The Lewis Express, who feature a few members of Work Money Death, team up with acclaimed flautist Chip Wickham for their third and much-anticipated full-length album, titled Doo-Ha!. This superb album brilliantly captures the spirit of the late 60s and 70s soul-jazz sound with seven very distinct tracks that features everything from the modern jazz dance classic “Run Tell That”, the down home strut of “Walk On” “Sliced, Diced And Fried Twice”, and “Snick Snack”, the jazz-funk groover “Cold Catch” and more. Fans of Lou Donaldson, The Three Sounds, Herbie Mann, and Ramsey Lewis should definitely check this out!
Yazz Ahmed — ‘A Paradise in the Hold’
(Night Time Stories)
One of UK’s most forward-thinking trumpet players, Yazz Ahmed, returns with her fourth studio album, A Paradise in the Hold. Featuring 10-tracks, the British-Bahrani musician continues her deep dive into her dual heritage, drawing on traditional sounds and stories from her childhood home. This incredible recording brings together spiritual jazz and Arabic influenced melodies, vocals and rhythms, that results in unique sonic experience. Yazz Ahmed continues to push the envelope with each and every recording. Highly recommended!
Okonski — ‘Entrance Music‘
(Colemine Records)
Recently released on the acclaimed Ohio label Colemine Records, the North Carolina trio, led by pianist Steve Okonski returns with another great recording, titled Entrance Music. Recorded over a five day session at Portage Lounge in Terry Cole’s studio in Loveland, Ohio, this remarkable album has an overall lush and meditative feel, almost film music like, that truly transports the listener to a calmer and more reflective space. This is that rare recording you can just put on repeat all day and never get tired of it.
John Beltran — ‘Back to Bahia Vol.05’ 7″
(MotorCity Wine)
Legendary Michigan-based producer and DJ John Beltran returns with the latest and fifth installment of his incredible Back to Bahia series, featuring two sun-drenched excursions that blend together deep house, jazz, boogie, and a touch Brazilian influences. The A side consists of “O Pátio”, which fuses jazz-funk with música popular Brasileira (MPB), while on the flip, he turns things up a notch with the cosmic groover “Belle Isle” that’s primed for the dancefloor. Arguably the best release in the growing and impressive series (which says a lot!).
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