Category: FEATURED RELEASES
This year, even what feels like more so than in the past, there were many incredible EP releases, especially in jazz (which hasn’t been a common format for the genre). Many of which resulted in some of the overall best releases of 2022.
It’s that time again (hard to believe), where we revisit some of the best releases of the year. In regards of new music, 2022 was one of the best in recent memory. It was admittedly extremely challenging pulling together a top 30 list, as many their were many additional favorites that unfortunately didn’t make the list. If there is time before the month is up, I might go back and extend the list to 40 or 50 releases. As always, I’m sure I missed a few that were just not fully on my radar.
Following the stellar 2021 release The Space In Which The Uncontrollable Unknown Resides, Can Be The Place From Which Creation Arises, UK saxophonist Tony Burkill returns with his large ensemble Work Money Death for another absolutely remarkable new recording on ATA Records, titled Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction.
Over the last several years, saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Moses Boyd have been at the forefront of the thriving London jazz scene. Together as a duo, they have released six acclaimed releases and were named the “Best UK Jazz Act” at the 2016 Jazz FM Awards. They have now team up with electronic music legend Simon Ratcliffe of Basement Jaxx to form Village Of The Sun, releasing their debut EP First Light on Gearbox Records.
In advance of the much-anticipated January release of the full-length album Firebird by UK pioneering DJ and producer Chris Bangs, Acid Jazz Records has issued a brilliant new 7inch featuring two incredible Brazilian-influenced gems from that recording.
East London-based musician, musical director, and producer Amane Suganami has been very active over the last several years, playing keys with notable UK group Maisha, and serving as Musical Director for Jorja Smith, Amaarae, Ego Ella May and Maverick Sabre, as well as performing alongside some major names like Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and many others. Despite a constantly busy touring schedule, Amane has been able to step out on his own and release an impressive debut EP on Música Macondo, titled Moments Of Solace.
Ever since the group’s 2016 EP Chapter 7, the five-piece Ezra Collective have been at the forefront of the thriving London jazz scene, releasing the highly acclaimed follow-up EP Juan Pablo: The Philosopher (2017), their debut LP You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019) and a few limited singles. The quintet returns with an incredible new full-length on the Brooklyn-based label Partisan Records, titled Where I’m Meant To Be.
Highly influential London-based DJ, broadcaster, and producer Gilles Peterson and pioneering multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and bandleader Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick (Incognito, Light of The World, Freeez) helped lead last year’s Brit-funk revitalization with the release of their remarkable debut LP Aspects, under the alias STR4TA (which was named BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Album of 2021). In much anticipation, they have teamed up again for a follow-up release, titled STR4TASFEAR (as a nod to the groundbreaking British group Atmosfear), that continues to pay homage to the Brit-funk sound.
Over this past summer, legendary Michigan-based producer and DJ John Beltran released a brilliant Brazilian-inspired jazz dance debut with the Detroit collective Sol Set, titled Olá de Novo. As a follow-up release, the tracks from the original recording have received the remix treatment and issued on a new LP, simply called Olá de Novo (the remixes).
UK’s Mr Bongo has recently released a brilliant new album from the highly creative Belarus-based collective SOYUZ (aka СОЮЗ), titled Force of the Wind. Led by composer, arranger, and singer Alex Chumak, multi-instrumentalist Mikita Arlou and drummer Anton Nemahai, the group’s third recording is heavily inspired by the popular Brazilian sounds of the 70s (known as Música popular Brasileira or MPB).
