Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
Helsinki-based sextet Soft Power releases powerful new album ‘Brink of Extinction’ on RR GEMS
In a time where the topic of mass extinction feels unfortunately very real, the Helsinki-based sextet Soft Power releases an incredibly powerful new album, titled Brink of Extinction, that sonically speaks to the importance and beauty of biodiversity on this planet.
Flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham releases cosmic spiritual jazz album ‘Blue To Red’
The UK-born, Madrid-based flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham follows-up two stellar releases in 2017’s La Sombra, and 2018’s Shamal Wind, with his most adventurous and cosmically-charged album to date in Blue To Red.
Tommaso Cappellato’s Astral Travel releases Sun Ra-inspired cosmic jazz recording
Italian drummer, composer, and producer Tommaso Cappellato, who has recently relocated to Los Angeles, has released a Sun Ra-inspired experimental cosmic jazz recording with his Astral Travel group, titled If You Say You Are From This Planet, Why Do You Treat It Like You Do?.
Ghanaian Roots Reggae from Y-Bayani, Baby Naa and The Band of Enlightenment, Reason and Love
Following a string of three incredible 7inch singles, beginning in 2016, Max Weissenfeldt’s Berlin-based Philophon label has finally released the highly-anticipated full-length album from Ghanaian singers and songwriters Y-Bayani & Baby Naa, backed by the label’s “sessions ensemble” The Band of Enlightenment, Reason and Love.
Melbourne’s JK Group releases incredible cosmic jazz debut ‘The Young Ones’
Led by by Melbourne saxophonist Josh Kelly, who also is a member of the future soul-jazz collective 30/70, the JK Group has recently released their incredible debut album, titled The Young Ones on La Sape Records.
London’s Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes team up on brilliant new Blue Note album ‘What Kinda Music’
Two of London’s most forward-thinking artists in multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer Tom Misch and drummer Yussef Dayes team up for a brilliant new electronic-soul-meets-jazz-funk album, titled What Kinda Music on Blue Note Records imprint Beyond The Groove.
New Zealand’s Rain&Shine label reissue The Positive Force & Ade Olatunji’s 1977 spiritual jazz gem ‘Oracy’
Since being established in 2017, New Zealand’s Rain&Shine have been reissuing many incredible rare modern soul, disco, jazz, and gospel recordings. This month, the label continues it’s string of great releases by making available again, The Positive Force & Ade Olatunji’s 1977 almost-impossible-to-find spiritual jazz masterpiece Oracy.
Steve Reid: 5 Essential Recordings as a Bandleader
The late Steve Reid is one of the greatest, and possibly most over-looked drummers of our time. First making a name for himself at the early age of 19, playing on Martha and The Vandellas’ 1964 Motown classic “Dancing In The Street,” Reid went on to play with a wide array of legendary artists from soul to jazz and Afrobeat, including Fats Domino, James Brown, Chaka Khan, Dexter Gordon, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Randy Weston, Fela Kuti, and many others.
Jazzman Records dives into the vaults of SteepleChase on latest Spiritual Jazz compilation
Jazzman Records has just released volume eleven (!!!) of it’s critically-acclaimed Spiritual Jazz series, this time diving deep into the vaults of the Copenhagen-based and highly under-the-radar imprint SteepleChase Records. Similar to the past two label-focused releases in the series, this double vinyl compilation features some of the most essential recordings from the European label.
The Maghreban & Idris Rahman release electronic version of Steve Reid’s “Lions of Juda”
As a contribution to help support the Steve Reid Foundation, which is a non-profit organization aimed at helping musicians who are in crisis, the UK-based beat maker/producer The Maghreban (aka Ayman Rostom) and saxophonist Idris Rahman (Wildflower, Ill Considered, Soothsayers) have released a new electronic-meets-cosmic jazz rendition of Steve Reid’s 1976 spiritual jazz-funk classic “Lions of Juda”.
Gilles Peterson’s presents new compilation featuring live sessions from London’s Maida Vale Studios
About 18 months ago, Gilles Peterson had the opportunity to present a live session on his BBC 6 radio show at London’s legendary Maida Vale Studios. Recorded specifically in studio MV4, which is where the classic John Peel sessions took place, the London-based DJ, record label owner, and music producer brought together some of the most forward-thinking jazz artists currently making waves in the UK scene. Now those memorable sessions are finally going to be available on a new compilation, appropriately titled Gilles Peterson Presents: MV4.
Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble remind us to “Stay Beautiful” on new single
In 2019 (which feels like an eternity ago), the Chicago-based collective Black Monument Ensemble, led by visual and sound artist Damon Locks, released one of the best and most groundbreaking albums from this past year on International Anthem, titled Where Future Unfolds. This week, the group has released a very timely and powerful new single, called “Stay Beautiful,” which was recorded live back in November 2018 at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, as part of Red Bull Music Festival.
Rising UK vocalist Yazmin Lacey releases new soulful EP ‘Morning Matters’
Nottingham-based soul singer Yazmin Lacey has continued to make waves within the UK scene over the past few years, releasing a number of great EPs including 2018’s When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees and her debut Black Moon in 2017. She has just released a brilliant new five-track album, titled Morning Matters.
