BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown 06.06.25
Tons of great releases over the last several weeks. For this edition of BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown, we dive into the highly-anticipated new album from legendary Brazilian jazz fusion trio Azymuth, the third and final chapter of their cosmic album trilogy from the seventies-era inspired jazz-funk quintet Aldorande, the brilliant debut album from rising star jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole, and a massive vocal jazz dance 7inch from the Super Disco Edits label.
Azymuth — ‘Marca Passo’
(Far Out Recordings)
Legendary Brazilian jazz fusion trio Azymuth, who have been releasing recordings for 50 years, honors the group’s profound legacy and departed founders with one of the most highly-anticipated albums of 2025 in Marca Passo. Produced by forward-thinking studio wiz Daniel Maunick and released on Far Out Recordings, this is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan “Mamão” Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. For this recording, Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, has teamed up with Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums. Featuring 11 tracks this brilliant new offering fully captures the essence and spirit of the group’s signature sound while still looking forward into the future, blending together jazz-funk and cosmic grooves with samba and Brazilian rhythms. With the passing of the torch from one member to the next, the group’s enduring legacy continues to live on and push to new heights. Easily one of the year’s best albums!
Aldorande — ‘Trois’
(Favorite Recordings)
Spaced-out seventies-era inspired jazz-funk quintet Aldorande return with their third full-length album and final chapter of their cosmic trilogy for Favorite Recordings, titled Trois. Led by bassist Virgile Raffaëlli, and featuring keyboardist Florian Pellissier, drummer Mathieu Edouard, guitarist Laurent Guillet, and percussionist Erwan Loeffel, this group blends heavy bass grooves and funky percussion with cosmic synth lines, and atmospheric tones that will have the listener orbiting through the galaxy. Highly recommended for fans of Azymuth, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters and Marc Moulin’s Placebo.
Tyreek McDole — ‘Open Up Your Senses’
(Artwork Records)
One of the true young rising vocalists in jazz, Tyreek McDole, has just released his highly-anticipated debut full-length for Artworks Records, titled Open Up Your Senses. Based out of Florida and and possessing a deep and soulful baritone, McDole’s new 13-track album delivers on all levels with a nice blend of spiritual jazz, soul and heartfelt ballads, including impressive new renditions of Pharoah Sanders’ “The Creator Has a Master Plan” (which also includes his offspring Tomoki Sanders), Leon Thomas’ “The Sun Song (Precious Energy) and Horace Silver’s “Won’t You Open Up Your Soul”. Not to overstate it, however McDole has all the potential and talent to become the next superstar vocalist in jazz.
The Janice Lakers Quintet — ‘He Loves You’
(Super Disco Edits)
The always brilliant Super Disco Edits label has recently released a massive vocal jazz dance 7inch of a previously unreleased 1979 demo recording from the Washington-based Janice Lakers Quintet. Featuring two impressive covers, the A-side is a rendition of Seawind’s “He Loves You”, while on the flip, they do a take of “Shaker Song”, which was made popular originally by Manhattan Transfer. Fans of the late great vocalist Janet Lawson should definitely check out this limited-edition release.
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