Tag: Jazz

Sitka Sun — All The Way West

Oakland’s cosmic psych jazz group Sitka Sun releases highly-anticipated new record ‘All The Way West’

In early 2018, Oakland-based cosmic psych jazz ensemble Sitka Sun, which is the brainchild of bassist, composer, and arranger Patrick Murphy, released their self-titled debut album to immediate high praise globally. The album sold out almost upon it’s release, and saw rotation on Gilles Peterson’s BBC 6 radio show. In what is certainly one of the most anticipated releases of the new year, the group will put out their sophomore recording, titled All The Way West via The Long Road Society label on in late January.

EABS — Discipline of Sun Ra

Polish ensemble EABS releases brilliant cosmic jazz tribute to Sun Ra

The Poland-based Electro Acoustic Beat Sessions collective, better known as EABS, has been one of the most forward-thinking jazz groups over the past few years, releasing a number incredible recordings including their 2017 debut Repetitions (Letters To Krzysztof Komeda), 2018’s 12″ single Kraksa / Svantetic with Tenderlonious, and last year’s full-length Slavic Spirits. The innovative sextet returns with arguably their best release to date with a six-track mind-blowing tribute to the legendary Afrofuturism pioneer Sun Ra, titled Discipline of Sun Ra.

BeatCaffeine's Favorite EP Releases of 2020

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite EPs of 2020

As we get ready to enter the new year, I’ve put together one final “favorites” list, featuring some of the best EP releases that came out over the past twelve months. Sometimes the line is blurring as to what is an EP and what is considered an album, and definitely a few of the selections below can arguably be considered full-length recordings. Regardless, I thought this provides another opportunity to highlight some of the brilliant recordings that helped get us through this very challenging year. Happy New Year everyone!

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Compilations of 2020

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Compilations of 2020

Similar to the work that goes into reissuing a rare recording can probably also be said for a well-crafted compilation. Often years in the making, there are a number of elements, including discovery, theme, selection of tracks, licensing, and a complimentary editorial component. This past year, a number of brilliantly timeless and curated compilations were released, some highlighting a specific genre or region, while others focused on an artist or a label. Regardless, here are some of the favorites from the past twelve months.

BeatCaffeine 'Favorite Reissues of 2020'

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Reissues of 2020

Not only did we see a ton of great new music released in 2020, there was also an abundance of extremely hard-to-find recordings being reissued throughout the year. Similar to how difficult it was to put together the “Favorite Albums” list, it has been just as challenging to dive into all the great reissues, and generate a similar “Favorites” list.

BeatCaffeine 'Favorite Albums of 2020'

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2020

2020 … I mean where do we want to even try to begin. In a year that we will never forget (regardless if we want to), in which we experienced a devastating global pandemic, social unrest due to continued systematic racism, and a toxic political landscape, all resulting in a rollercoaster of emotions and unanswered questions. That being said, even through all the tragedy, heartbreak, and uncertainty, I cannot remember another year where so many groundbreaking and timely recordings where released.

dezron douglas & brandee younger force majeure

NY bassist Dezron Douglas & harpist Brandee Younger release album of music from quarantine sessions, “Force Majeure”

Making the most out of what has truly been an extremely difficult year for musicians (and just about everyone), New York bassist Dezron Douglas and harpist Brandee Younger have released a brilliant and uplifting album, titled Force Majeure on Chicgao’s International Anthem label, featuring recordings from their weekly live-stream sessions “Force Majeure: Brunch in the Crib with Brandee & Dezron”.

Sarathy Korwar and UPAJ Collective

Sarathy Korwar & UPAJ Collective release brilliant spiritual jazz recording on Night Dreamer

Since the breakthrough of his 2016 album Day to Day, US-born, Indian-raised, London-based drummer, percussionist, composer Sarathy Korwar has been releasing some of the most forward-thinking records, fusing together East African, Sufi and Indian influences with jazz, electronic music, and hip-hop. On his most recent release for the Netherland-based Night Dreamer label, he teams up with an all-star group of musicians, under the name UPAJ Collective (“UPAJ” means “to improvise” inHindi), for a fully improvised spiritual jazz session.

Matthew Halsall — Salute to the Sun

Manchester’s trumpeter Matthew Halsall reveals new band, releases incredible album ‘Salute to the Sun’

For over a decade, composer, trumpeter, producer, DJ and founder of Gondwana Records, Matthew Halsall has consistently been at the forefront of UK’s thriving jazz scene. His 2012 masterpiece Fletcher Moss Park was named one of BeatCaffeine’s best albums of the decade. He returns with his first full-length recording as a leader since 2015, titled Salute To The Sun, featuring a brilliant new band that includes some of the finest young musicians currently residing in Manchester.

Tino Contreras — La Noche de los Dioses

Mexican jazz great Tino Contreras releases new hypnotic jazz album ‘La Noche de los Dioses’ on Brownswood

Earlier this year, Gilles Peterson‘s new reissue label Arc Records re-released, for the first time, Tino Contreras‘ independent 1978 psych-jazz recording Musica Infinita, introducing the 96-year-old Mexican artist to new generations of listeners. The musical relationship between Gilles, Tino, and musician/record collector Carlos Icaza, who first introduced the two, has continued with Gilles’ other label, Brownswood Recordings, releasing a great new album from the prolific composer and drummer, titled La Noche de los Dioses.

Aquiles Navarro & Tcheser Holmes

Trumpet & percussion duo Aquiles Navarro & Tcheser Holmes release adventurous debut on International Anthem

Over the past couple of years, New York City’s avant-jazz-meets-spoken word collective Irreversible Entanglements has stormed on the scene and have been one of the most creative and thought-provoking bands in jazz. Two of the group’s closest members in trumpeter Aquiles Navarro and drummer Tcheser Holmes have come together again to release a brilliant and wildly adventurous duo album titled Heritage of the Invisible II on Chicago’s International Anthem label.