Tag: Jazz Dance

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Tracks of 2023

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Tracks of 2023

With the final “best of” list for 2023, I dive into some of our favorite tracks of the year. Out of all of the year-end lists, this is easily the most difficult to pull together given how many great tracks are worthy to be included in such a list. This year, I went about this differently. Instead of just listing the tracks, I also included the album, 12″ or 7″ that the track was associated with in hopes to encourage everyone to be purchasing the vinyl or digital releases (which is important for these artists and labels!). No commentary included with these, we’ll just let the music do all the talking.

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Compilations of 2023

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

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 of 2023

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.

Grupo Los Yoyi – Yoyi (Mr Bongo Reissue)

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.

Airto & Flora Purim - A Celebration: 60 Years - Sounds, Dreams & Other Stories

BBE celebrates 60 years of music from Brazilian legends Airto Moreira and Flora Purim with 5LP Box Set

For over six decades, there has arguably not been a more pioneering duo that has brought together the sounds of Brazilian jazz, fusion, and samba more so than Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. Through their own collaborations and individual works, the legendary musical tag-team and longtime life partners have over time gained a vast global fan base that includes everything from UK’s jazz-funk and jazz dance scenes, to experimental jazz and Brazilian-rooted music fans. This month, the London-based label BBE is releasing the highly anticipated 5LP Box Set, titled A Celebration: 60 Years – Sounds, Dreams & Other Stories, highlighting some of their most notable tracks.

Energy Exchange Ensemble — Energy Exchange Records Vol 01

Energy Exchange Exchange releases highly collaborative jazz dancefloor-focused debut

Residing from Berlin, London, and Melbourne, the Energy Exchange Ensemble (EX Ensemble) has been making waves throughout 2023 with a number of dancefloor-focused digital single releases that have regular rotation from notable DJs like Gilles Peterson, Kev Beadle, Colin Curtis and others. In much anticipation, the highly collaborative collective have recently released their debut, simply titled Energy Exchange Records Vol 1.