Tag: Jazz Funk

Malcolm Strachan — Point of No Return

Scottish trumpeter Malcolm Strachan returns with superb sophomore LP ‘Point Of No Return’

Scottish trumpeter Malcolm Strachan has been one of the most active UK musicians for over the past 20 years, recording and performing with Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamiroquai, The New Master Sounds and many others, as well as leading the notable UK jazz-funk band The Haggis Horns. He steps out on his own again and follows up his critically acclaimed 2020 solo debut album About Time with a superb new full-length on Haggis Records, titled Point Of No Return.

Fela Kuti / Ezra Collective - Shakara - 50th Anniversary

50th Anniversary Edition of Fela Kuti’s ‘Shakara’ includes new renditions from Ezra Collective

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of arguably the greatest Afrobeat album ever recorded, in Fela Kuti and The Africa 70’s Shakara, Brooklyn’s Partisan Records has put out a special edition reissue of the two-track classic that includes an additional 7inch record featuring new renditions of both “Lady” and “Shakara (Oloje)” by one of the leading lights among the London jazz scene, Ezra Collective.

BeatCaffeine's Best Reissues of 2022

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Reissues, Lost Recordings & Retrospectives of 2022

As with new releases, 2022 was a remarkable 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, or make more readily available again. I also feel that with each year that goes by, the quality of reissues get’s better and better. The care and work that goes into many of these releases is astonishing.

BeatCaffeine's Best Albums of 2022

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2022

It’s that time again (hard to believe), where we revisit some of the best releases of the year. In regards of new music, 2022 was one of the best in recent memory. It was admittedly extremely challenging pulling together a top 30 list, as many their were many additional favorites that unfortunately didn’t make the list. If there is time before the month is up, I might go back and extend the list to 40 or 50 releases. As always, I’m sure I missed a few that were just not fully on my radar.

Ezra Collective — Where I'm Meant To Be

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.