Tag: Jazz

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.

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Albums of 2023

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2023

Almost another year around the sun, and that means it’s that time again (hard to believe), where we revisit some of the best releases of the year. In regards of new music, 2023 was another incredible year. As always, it was admittedly extremely challenging pulling together a “best of” list, however I’m excited to have been able to expand to 40 releases, which still didn’t feel like enough. As always, I’m sure I missed a few worthy selections.

Isaiah Collier — Parallel Universe

Isaiah Collier releases brilliant direct-to-disc spiritual jazz album on Night Dreamer

The London-based Night Dreamer label continues their string of incredible Direct-To-Disc recordings with arguably their best session to date, featuring Chicago multi-instrumentalist and composer Isaiah Collier with a superb group that includes gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM and former Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpet player Corey Wilkes and others, titled Parallel Universe.

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.

J Jazz Vol. 4: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan - Nippon Columbia 1968 -1981

BBE’s superb Japanese Jazz compilation series returns, dives into the Nippon Columbia label

Since the release of the series’ first compilation back in 2018, in addition to two follow-up compilation recordings and a growing number of select album reissues, BBE’s J Jazz has become the most definite collection exploring innovative and rare Japanese jazz. Curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, the highly anticipated fourth compilation dives deep into one of the biggest and most diverse labels in Japan, Nippon Columbia.

Nick Walters — Marine Moods

London trumpeter Nick Walters returns with jazz-fusion recording ‘Marine Mood’

Over the last few years, trumpeter, composer and bandleader Nick Walters has become one of the prominent figures among the creative London jazz scene. Following up on the superb releases that focused on the incorporation of traditional Indian sounds (Padm​ā​sana), and the exploration of sounds from space (Singularity), he returns with a revitalization of his sextet, who last appeared together on his 2019 album Active Imagination, with a brilliant new recording on his D.O.T. label, titled Marine Mood.