Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
Brazilian jazz queen Flora Purim releases her first album in 15 years, ‘If You Will’
Legendary Brazilian jazz vocalist Flora Purim, who has rightfully been declared by many as the “The Queen of Brazilian Jazz”, giving the world all-time classic gems like “Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly”, “500 Miles High”, “Light As a Feather”, “Casa Forte”, “Moondreams”, “Angels”, “Samba Michel” and so many others (often collaborating with her husband and percussionist great Airto Moreira), has returned and released her first new full-length album in 15 years on London’s Strut label, titled If You Will.
Some of London’s leading jazz artists come together as Flock, release superb new album on Strut
Flock is a new collaborative ensemble featuring five of London’s most forward-thinking and groundbreaking musicians, including percussionist, gyil player, producer Bex Burch (Vula Viel), drummer and tabla virtuoso Sarathy Korwar, synth wiz Dan “Danalogue” Leavers (Soccer96, The Comet Is Coming), pianist Al MacSween (Maisha) and bass clarinetist, flautist, and soprano saxophonist Tamar Osborn (Collocutor). The all-star group will be releasing their brilliant and highly-anticipated debut album for Strut later next month on May 20th.
Italian bassist Rosa Brunello releases brilliant improvised hypnotic full-length ‘Sounds Like Freedom’
Adventurous Italian bassist and composer Rosa Brunello, who often explores everything from progressive rock and jazz fusion to dub and experimental electronic music, is releasing a brilliant new full-length record, appropriately titled Sounds Like Freedom, on Tommaso Cappellato’s new label Domanda Music.
BeatCaffeine’s Record Store Day 2022 ‘Drop 1’ Recommendations
This Saturday, April 23rd is the first of two Record Store Day’s in 2022. This now bi-annual event has become the prime day in which many labels release limited-edition or never-before-released vinyl albums, singles, compilations and reissues. While the day usually attracts many hardcore collectors, shops also often see a large influx of casual music fans and possibly a smaller number that might be buying their first record. Regardless, these are all great things.
The sound of Strata Records reimagined by Jazzanova on new album
In what has to be one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2022, Berlin’s groundbreaking collective Jazzanova reimagine essential material from the now-legendary and short-lived 70s era Detroit label Strata Records. In association with DJ Amir (aka Amir Abdullah) and 180 Proof Records, who have been officially reissuing material from the label’s vaults for almost a decade, this superb new album will be released on BBE.
Innovative producer & multi-instrumentalist Mark de Clive-Lowe returns with third EP from his superb ‘Midnight Snacks’ series
Los Angeles-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Mark de Clive-Lowe, who is been one of the pioneering artists to successfully blend together jazz, broken beat, house, and experimental electronic-influenced music for the span of three decades, returns with the third release from his superb Midnight Snacks Ep series.
Mr Bongo reissues Ian Carr’s iconic 1972 jazz-fusion album ‘Belladonna’
UK-based record shop and label Mr Bongo have recently reissued a half-speed mastered edition of the iconic 1972 jazz-rock-fusion album Belladonna from British trumpeter great Ian Carr. This groundbreaking recording was a part of Carr’s adventurous shift in sound following a number of years during the late 60s performing and recording with the legendary post-hard bop ensemble, The Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet.
Strut reissues Sun Ra Arkestra’s 1983 Egyptian sessions with Salah Ragab and the Cairo Jazz Band
London’s Strut Records concludes it’s exploration into Sun Ra Arkestra’s historic recordings in Egypt with a reissue of the 1983 collaborative album with great Egyptian percussionist and drummer Salah Ragab and his large ensemble, The Cairo Jazz Band.
Far Out Recordings reissues two early Brazilian jazz gems from original Azymuth keyboardist José Roberto Bertami
The London-based Far Out Recordings continues it’s deep exploration into the roots of the greatest Brazilian fusion/jazz-funk band, Azymuth, and has recently reissued two outstanding mid-sixties recordings from the late founding member and the band’s original keyboardist, José Roberto Bertami.
Bristol quartet The Jazz Defenders return with soul jazz full-length ‘King Phoenix’
The outstanding Bristol quartet known as The Jazz Defenders build on the foundation of last year’s standout 7inch single The Big Man / Love’s Vestige with a superb soulful jazz full-length, titled King Phoenix on the UK-based Haggis Records.
