Category: FEATURED RELEASES

San Francisco’s K-Maxx (RIP) leaves behind enduring legacy, releases great new modern funk EP ‘Selections’

Only hours after the shocking news about MF DOOM’s passing was just beginning to circulate throughout the music world on New Year’s Eve, we heard further heartbreaking news through social media that San Francisco native, producer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and vocalist Kenyan “K-Maxx” Hopkins had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on December 29. This devastating news sent shockwaves through the Bay Area music community and beyond.

MF DOOM & BadBadNotGood — The Chocolate Conquistadors

MF DOOM (RIP) & BADBADNOTGOOD team up on new version of Johnny Hammond Smith/Mizell Brothers “The Chocolate Conquistadors”

If 2020 didn’t already cause the world enough pain, on New Year’s Eve, MF DOOM’s wife Jasmine confirmed via Instagram that the legendary hip-hop artist (aka Daniel Dumile) passed away earlier this year on October 31. This was a shocking revelation for just about everyone in the music world, with artists like Flying Lotus, Danny Brown, Q-Tip, DJ Premier, El-P, Questlove, and others immediately honoring the late great rapper/producer on their social media channels.

BeatCaffeine's Favorite EP Releases of 2020

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite EPs of 2020

As we get ready to enter the new year, I’ve put together one final “favorites” list, featuring some of the best EP releases that came out over the past twelve months. Sometimes the line is blurring as to what is an EP and what is considered an album, and definitely a few of the selections below can arguably be considered full-length recordings. Regardless, I thought this provides another opportunity to highlight some of the brilliant recordings that helped get us through this very challenging year. Happy New Year everyone!

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Tracks of 2020

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Tracks of 2020

As we wind down the final days of a year that we will never forget, and begin to look ahead, it’s good to highlight some of those incredible individual tracks that helped us get through 2020. From jazz, soul, electronic music, global grooves, dance floor gems, tropical funk, and just about everything in-between, the amount of quality music that was coming out over the past twelve months was arguably as good as any year I can recall.

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Compilations of 2020

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2020

Similar to the work that goes into reissuing a rare recording can probably also be said for a well-crafted compilation. Often years in the making, there are a number of elements, including discovery, theme, selection of tracks, licensing, and a complimentary editorial component. This past year, a number of brilliantly timeless and curated compilations were released, some highlighting a specific genre or region, while others focused on an artist or a label. Regardless, here are some of the favorites from the past twelve months.

BeatCaffeine 'Favorite Reissues of 2020'

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Reissues of 2020

Not only did we see a ton of great new music released in 2020, there was also an abundance of extremely hard-to-find recordings being reissued throughout the year. Similar to how difficult it was to put together the “Favorite Albums” list, it has been just as challenging to dive into all the great reissues, and generate a similar “Favorites” list.

BeatCaffeine 'Favorite Albums of 2020'

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2020

2020 … I mean where do we want to even try to begin. In a year that we will never forget (regardless if we want to), in which we experienced a devastating global pandemic, social unrest due to continued systematic racism, and a toxic political landscape, all resulting in a rollercoaster of emotions and unanswered questions. That being said, even through all the tragedy, heartbreak, and uncertainty, I cannot remember another year where so many groundbreaking and timely recordings where released.

dezron douglas & brandee younger force majeure

NY bassist Dezron Douglas & harpist Brandee Younger release album of music from quarantine sessions, “Force Majeure”

Making the most out of what has truly been an extremely difficult year for musicians (and just about everyone), New York bassist Dezron Douglas and harpist Brandee Younger have released a brilliant and uplifting album, titled Force Majeure on Chicgao’s International Anthem label, featuring recordings from their weekly live-stream sessions “Force Majeure: Brunch in the Crib with Brandee & Dezron”.

Sarathy Korwar and UPAJ Collective

Sarathy Korwar & UPAJ Collective release brilliant spiritual jazz recording on Night Dreamer

Since the breakthrough of his 2016 album Day to Day, US-born, Indian-raised, London-based drummer, percussionist, composer Sarathy Korwar has been releasing some of the most forward-thinking records, fusing together East African, Sufi and Indian influences with jazz, electronic music, and hip-hop. On his most recent release for the Netherland-based Night Dreamer label, he teams up with an all-star group of musicians, under the name UPAJ Collective (“UPAJ” means “to improvise” inHindi), for a fully improvised spiritual jazz session.

Legendary UK deejay Colin Curtis presents volume 2 of his ‘Jazz Dance Fusion’ compilation series

Legendary UK deejay Colin Curtis presents the second volume of his superb Jazz Dance Fusion compilation series. Where the first record focused on seventies-era selections from the great vaults of Muse Records, volume two features a brilliant collection of vocal jazz and Latin-flavored cuts, all of which where previously never released on both vinyl or CD.