Record Shopping Etiquette
The do’s, the don’ts, and best practices when it comes to shopping for vinyl.
Far Out Recordings reissues two classic Brazilian fusion albums by Ana Mazzotti
Recently, Far Out Recordings has reissued two obscure mid-seventies Brazilian jazz fusion recordings from multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ana Mazzotti, who fellow Brazilian musician icon Hermeto Pascoal dubbed a “super-musician.” These were unfortunately Mazzotti’s only two studio recordings, as she unfortunately passed away in her mid-thirties due to losing her battle with cancer.
Sun Ra Arkestra’s 1986 live Poland show released on vinyl for the first time
This month, the London-based label Lanquidity Records will be releasing on vinyl for the first time ever, Sun Ra Arkestra’s, now considered, legendary 1986 performance in Kalisz, Poland.
Trumpeter Jaimie Branch releases highly anticipated ‘Fly or Die II’ on International Anthem
Longtime Chicago jazz scene veteran, and newly residing New York City-based trumpeter and composer Jamie Branch follows-up her breakthrough and highly acclaimed 2017 debut Fly Or Die with a new brilliant full-length album on International Anthem titled, Fly Or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise.
Trumpeter Yazz Ahmed releases new album ‘Polyhymnia’ celebrating courageous iconic women
Following up on her breakthrough 2017 album La Saboteuse, British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer Yazz Ahmed returns with a brilliant new record, titled Polyhymnia.
New Paris-based label Komos pays tribute to four jazz greats
Over the past few weeks, the newer Paris-based jazz label Komos have released four brilliant records paying tribute to iconic artists that highly influenced the French jazz scene, including Henri Texler, Marion Brown, Don Cherry, and Randy Weston.
Portico Quartet continue to push new boundaries on ‘Memory Streams’
Following two incredible releases over the past few years in Art in the Age of Automation and the complimentary album Untitled (AITAOA #2) off of Gondwana Records, the London-based group Portico Quartet return with their fifth studio album Memory Streams that continues to explore the melding of jazz and electronic music.
Cuban trumpeter Yelfris Valdés releases incredible new album ‘For The Ones…’
Now residing in London, Cuban-born trumpeter Yelfris Valdés has began making a strong name for himself over the past few years, performing alongside Quantic, Nubya Garcia, Michael Kiwanuka, Rokia Traoré, Dayme Arocena, and Chucho Valdés, as well as being featured on Yussef Kamaal’s groundbreaking 2016 album Black Focus. Now he has just released a brilliant new full-length album, titled For the Ones…, which combines his Cuban roots and Yoruba traditions mixed with the jazz and electronic music influences he’s been exposed to while living in the UK.
Gondwana Records’ Matthew Halsall releases collection of previously unreleased meditative spiritual jazz
Manchester-based composer, trumpeter, and Gondwana label boss Matthew Halsall puts out a 3xLP collection of previously unreleased meditative spiritual jazz recordings.
Mark de Clive-Lowe’s Japanese-rooted Rōnin Arkestra releases new album ‘Sonkei’
How do you follow-up an instant classic you ask? Create another one. That’s what producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Mark de Clive Lowe and his Japanese-based electro-acoustic jazz collective Rōnin Arkestra have achieved with the release of the group’s first full-length album Sonkei.
BRAHJA releases hypnotic spiritual jazz full-length on RR Gems Records
New York saxophonist, drummer, synthesizer player and composer Devin Brahja Waldman, who leads the group BRAHJA, has just released an absolutely brilliant full-length self-titled recording on the Estonia-based jazz and experimental label RR Gems.
Resolution 88 release new conceptual album that explores “the vinyl record”
The London-based jazz-funk quintet Resolution 88 have recently released an incredible new conceptual album that explores “the vinyl record,” and all the aspects that are a part it, including everything from pitch changes, and the visual sensation of spinning wax, to runout grooves, and matrix markings on different record pressings.
London’s Joe Armon-Jones releases brilliant debut full-length ‘Turn To Clear View’
Keyboard wizard Joe Armon-Jones, who also plays in Ezra Collective, is one of the leading lights and most active musicians among the currently thriving London jazz scene. He follows up last year’s breakthrough EP Starting Today with a remarkable new debut full-length album, titled Turn To Clear View.
Earth, Wind & Fire: 10 Essential Deep Cuts
Founded by Maurice White in 1969, the iconic funk and soul group Earth, Wind & Fire are considered by many as one of the greatest bands of all-time. The legendary group, that originated out of Chicago and then re-located to Southern California, has sold over 90 million records and received numerous prestigious awards, including being named to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. On a personal note, EWF was my first favorite groups when I was a young kid and has had a major influence on me ever since.
