This week’s BeatCaffeine Record Rundown includes the return of Sheila Maurice-Grey’s acclaimed London collective KOKOROKO with their highly-anticipated new EP, a full-length debut from Japanese electronic-meets-jazz duo Cruisic, Italian producer and keyboard wiz Stefano De Santis latest offering, and the long-awaited return of Marc Mac’s groundbreaking Visioneers project.

Here are BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown

KOKOROKO — ‘Get The Message’ EP
(Brownswood Recordings)

Following the breakthrough debut full-length Could We Be More and the companion remix recording, London-based collective KOKOROKO, led by trumpeter, vocalist and visual artist Sheila Maurice-Grey, has released their much-anticipated new EP on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, titled Get The Message. Featuring four superb new uplifting tracks, bringing together Caribbean and African inspired grooves, jazz-funk and backing soulful vocal harmonies. The album’s standout single, “Three Piece Suit” features singer Azekel, is a heartwarming tribute to the Nigerian immigrant experience. KOKOROKO continues to make joyful music for the soul.

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Cruisic — ‘Euphoria’
(Flower Records)

Internationally acclaimed Japanese electronic-meets-jazz duo of Yukinari Iwata and Ryusuke Kakizawa known as Cruisic, released their highly-anticipated debut album on Flower Records, titled Euphoria. This 8-track release follows a number of now hard-to-find singles (which are included on this record), including Jazz Room Records’ 7″ featuring Azymuth’s “Jazz Carnival” and 808 State’s “Pacific 707”. Great from start to finish, other standout tracks include brilliant renditions of Tania Maria’s “Come With Me”, and full-length versions of some of their early material, like “Inspector Norse”, “Floating”, and “Finally”. Prime selections for the dancefloor.

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Stefano De Santis — ‘New Beginning’
(Quattro Bambole Records)

Following a number of remarkable releases and appearances on both Colin Curtis Presents and Steve Conry’s Ten Lovers Music, Italian producer and keyboardist Stefano De Santis releases his latest masterpiece for the Apulia-based label Quattro Bambole Records, titled ‘New Beginning’. This superb 5-track EP features De Santis’ signature fusion of broken beat, jazz fusion, deep house grooves, 80’s Boogie, lo-fi hip-hop beats and just about everything in-between. This is definitely De Santis’ most expansive and adventurous release to date.

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Marc Mac Presents Visioneers — ‘Def Radio’
(Omniverse Records)

Legendary UK producer Marc Mac returns with his first release in a decade from his long-running Visioneers project, titled Def Radio. This incredible 12-track full-length, released on Omniverse Records, features everything from instrumental renditions of Hip-Hop classics to groove-oriented jazz-funk cuts. The recording came together with contributions from founding member Luke Parkhouse (aka Hopper), along with Carina Andersson, Luman Child, TRAC and Drue Davis. Definitely one of the best releases of 2024!

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• Broken Beat
• Jazz
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk