Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2023
Now in the final days of 2023, we take a look back at some of the essential compilation releases over the past 12 months. From tropical grooves to jazz dance, spiritual, soulful house and obscure selections from around the globe, there were many incredible must-own compilations to dive into.
BeatCaffeine’s Favorite EP Releases of 2023
We continue our deep dive into our favorite releases of 2023 with a look at some of the standout EPs. As usual, there were a number of quality releases, including four from legendary UK DJ Colin Curtis on his vinyl-only imprint label. Plenty of jazz dance, cosmic grooves, and all around good vibes to absorb with these selections.
BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Reissues, Lost Recordings & Retrospectives of 2023
As with new music releases, 2023 was an outstanding year for reissues and previously unreleased recordings. It feels like with every great new release or artists that breaks through on the scene, there are still so many records from the past to still discover and dive into as a listener. The quality of the actual reissue releases themselves also seems to improve in time. The care and work that goes into many of these releases is astonishing and handled like the artifacts that they truly are.
BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2023
Almost another year around the sun, and that means it’s that time again (hard to believe), where we revisit some of the best releases of the year. In regards of new music, 2023 was another incredible year. As always, it was admittedly extremely challenging pulling together a “best of” list, however I’m excited to have been able to expand to 40 releases, which still didn’t feel like enough. As always, I’m sure I missed a few worthy selections.
Favorite Recordings continues it’s dive into rare jazz-funk on ‘Fusion Global Sounds Vol 2’
Building off the foundation of last year’s superb Fusion Global Sounds compilation release (included on BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2022), Favorite Recordings comes back with the second edition of the series, featuring eight obscure jazz-funk and fusion tracks produced between 1976 and 1984 in various parts of the world.
Chicago drummer Daniel Villarreal teams up with Jeff Parker and Anna Butterss on rhythmic ‘Lados B’
Chicago-based drummer Daniel Villarreal follows up last year’s breakthrough solo debut Panamá 77 with a superb new album on International Anthem, featuring guitarist Jeff Parker and bassist Anna Butterss, titled Lados B.
Isaiah Collier releases brilliant direct-to-disc spiritual jazz album on Night Dreamer
The London-based Night Dreamer label continues their string of incredible Direct-To-Disc recordings with arguably their best session to date, featuring Chicago multi-instrumentalist and composer Isaiah Collier with a superb group that includes gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM and former Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpet player Corey Wilkes and others, titled Parallel Universe.
Mr Bongo launches new Cuban Classic Series with reissue of Grupo Los Yoyi’s 1977 fusion gem
For over 30 years, Mr Bongo label and record shop has been at the forefront of some of the most notable Brazilian, African, hip-hop, and Latin reissue releases. The UK-based label and record shop continue their high quality output of rare material as they launch their new Cuban Classic Series, beginning with the hard-to-find reissue of Grupo Los Yoyi’s 1977 fusion gem.
Tommaso Cappellato’s Collettivo Immaginario releases massive disco-house 12inch ‘Tempo Al Tempo’
Following up their superb breakthrough 2022 debut album Transforma, the Italian-rooted Collettivo Immaginario, which is led by Italian-born Los Angeles-based drummer, producer and DJ Tommaso Cappellato, turn up the dancefloor heat on the group’s brand new limited-edition 12″ single Tempo Al Tempo.
Greg Foat teams up with Finnish saxophone legend Eero Koivistoinen on ‘Feathers’
Building off the foundation of his previous Finnish collaborative recordings for the Jazzaggression label, London-based composer and cosmic jazz keyboard wiz Greg Foat has once again teamed up with a superb cast of Finland-based musicians, including legendary saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen on a brilliant brand new album titled Feathers.
