Tag: Spiritual Jazz

BeatCaffeine's Favorite Albums of 2021

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2021

2021 … or what at times just felt like the hangover to 2020. For parts, it seemed like a better year than the one prior, however let’s be real, that certainly wasn’t a hard bar to climb by any stretch. Over the last 12 months it’s become clear that the pandemic still remains a strong influence on all of our daily lives. It also continues to have a significant effect on music in general, what was produced, how it gets created, and often how it’s distributed. A whirlwind of complex emotions, cautious gatherings, high levels of uncertainty, as well as constantly backed-up vinyl pressing plants and more … 2021 was definitely a very challenging year for many, including musicians, record labels, and just about everyone in the music ecosystem.

Irreversible Entanglements — Open The Gates

Irreversible Entanglements continues to push the boundaries on superb third album ‘Open The Gates’

Since the release of their breakthrough self-titled debut in 2017, the adventurous Philadelphia/NY/DC-based quintet has established themselves as one of the most thought-provoking and forward-thinking jazz collectives. The group returns with an incredible new album on International Anthem, titled Open The Gates, that much like their other recordings, cries out for universal social change.

Ill Considered — Luminal Space

Adventurous London ensemble Ill Considered return with superb new lineup on latest LP ‘Luminal Space’

Over the last few years, Ill Considered has been one of the most active and musically adventurous ensembles to have emerged out of the London jazz scene. For their first fully produced studio album on the New Soil label, and their 11th full-length to date (9 self-released from 2017-2019), titled Luminal Space, the group continues to take their sound to new heights in what is arguably their best record to date.

Daniel Casimir — Boxed In

London bassist Daniel Casimir releases expansive debut ‘Boxed In’ on Jazz re:freshed

London-based composer and bassist Daniel Casimir, who has been making a strong name for himself over the past few years performing alongside some of the most notable artists among the scene like Joe Armon-Jones, Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, Ashley Henry, Binker Golding and others, has just released his debut album as a bandleader, titled Boxed In on the Jazz re:freshed label.

Tenderlonious — Still Flute

London’s Tenderlonious brings it all together on his brilliant new genre-defying album ‘Still Flute’

Producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and 22a label boss, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne continues to make his mark as one of the most pioneering musicians of our time, through his explorations of jazz, house, electronic music, and Hindustani classical. After a series of remarkable albums that have individually focused on those sounds, the London-based artist has brought all those elements and influences together on a brilliant new album, titled Still Flute.