Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
London producer and pianist Amane releases superb cosmic debut ‘Moments Of Solace’
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.
London’s Ezra Collective returns with incredible new album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’
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.
Gilles Peterson and Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick return with brilliant sophomore STR4TA album
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.
Sol Set’s debut ‘Olá de Novo’ receives the remix treatment on superb follow-up
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).
Belarus collective SOYUZ release superb Brazilian-inspired album ‘Force of the Wind’ on Mr Bongo
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).
Tokyo duo Cruisic cover Azymuth & 808 State on new 7″ Jazz Room Records release
Continuing with a string of essential releases, Paul Murphy’s Jazz Room Records is releasing an incredible new double-sided 7inch featuring covers of both Azymuth’s 1979 “Jazz Carnival” and 808 State’s 1989 “Pacific 707” by jazz-meets-electronic music Tokyo-based duo Cruisic.
Transversales Disques unearths incredible live 1971 Paris recording of Ahmad Jamal Trio
Following the release of two incredible previously unreleased live sessions by jazz greats Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp, the French label Transversales Disques has now issued the third of their brilliant Lost ORTF Recordings series featuring a 1971 Paris recording featuring legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal and his trio.
Analog Africa releases new recording celebrating the king of Ziglibithy, Ernesto Djédjé
As part of their Limited Dance Edition series, the outstanding German-label Analog Africa has recently released an incredible four-track collection of essential gems from legendary Ivorian artist better known as the “king of Ziglibithy,” Ernesto Djédjé.
French label Comet reissues Noel McGhie’s 1975 rare jazz-funk classic
The excellent French label Comet, run by founder Eric Trosset, has recently reissued the extremely hard-to-find 1975 jazz-funk masterpiece from drummer Noel McGhie, under the album title Noel McGhie & Space Spies.
Japan’s cosmic trio Nautilus release new 7inch single ‘Looking Back / Paint it Black’
Since 2014, Tokyo-based jazz-funk trio Nautilus (named after Bob James’ 1974 fusion classic) has been at the forefront of the incredible music currently coming out of Japan. Led by drummer Toshiyuki Sasaki, and featuring founding bassist Shigeki Umezawa and more recent keyboardist Mariko Nakabayashi, the group is consistently active, releasing highly sought-after full-length and 7inch singles featuring a strong mix of originals and covers of timeless classics. For their sixth release(!!!) of 2022, the band has put out a brilliant new double-sided single on Japan’s Urban Discos label, titled Looking Back / Paint it Black.
