Tag: Spiritual Jazz

Wildflower — Better Times

Innovative trio Wildflower release brilliant new recording ‘Better Times’ on Tropic of Love

The innovative London-based trio, featuring bassist and founding member of Ill Considered Leon Brichard, saxophonist Idris Rahman (Soothsayers), and drummer Tom Skinner (Sons of Kemet), have followed up last year’s outstanding album Season 2, with a brilliant new four-track EP, titled Better Times. This also marks the debut release on notable London-based Portuguese DJ Mafalda Daniel‘s new label Tropic of Love Music.

BeatCaffeine Recommendations — Record Store Day 2021

BeatCaffeine’s Record Store Day 2021 ‘Drop 1’ Recommendations

As we move into the warmer months of summer, it’s great to see that many of the record shops that were either closed for over a year and/or only doing online sales are finally opening up again. In my opinion, it doesn’t get much better than a Saturday trip (or any day really) to the local record shop(s). Somewhat similar to last year, this year’s typical annual Record Store Day has been broken up into not just one, but two Saturdays (or what is being referred to as “Drop 1” & “Drop 2”) on June 12th and July 17th.

Byard Lancaster ‎– My Pure Joy

Strut releases Byard Lancaster’s 1992 soulful spiritual jazz album ‘My Pure Joy’ on vinyl for the first time

Following last year’s phenomenal compilation Soul Love Now and a number of revisited album releases from groundbreaking artists like Oneness Of Juju (aka Juju), Lon Moshe, and others, London’s Strut Records continues it’s ongoing spotlight on the now considered legendary Richmond, Virginia label Black Fire (run by Jimmy Gray) with a reissue of the late Philadelphia reedman Byard Lancaster’s 1992 soulful spiritual jazz recording My Pure Joy. Originally released on CD three years after it was recorded, due the label’s financial challenges, this marks the first time this album has ever been released on vinyl.

Sons Of Kemet — Black To The Future

Explosive London-based quartet Sons of Kemet return with adventurous & collaborative album ‘Black To The Future’

The groundbreaking London-based two horn-two drummer quartet known as Sons of Kemet featuring saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, tuba player Theon Cross, and drummers Tom Skinner and Edward Wakili-Hick have returned following their breakthrough 2018 Mercury Prize-nominated album Your Queen Is a Reptile, with their most adventurous and collaborative album to date, titled Black To The Future.

Melodies Record Club 001 — Four Tet

Melodies International ‘Record Club’ kicks off with two jazz dance classics selected by Four Tet

London-based reissue label Melodies International, run by Floating Points (aka Sam Shepherd) and Mafalda, have just launched their Melodies Record Club series featuring “mini compilations” in a twelve-inch format selected by notable DJs and artists. The series kicks off with a bang, with highly-acclaimed and innovative producer and DJ Four Tet (aka Kieran Hebden) selecting two peak-time jazz dance classics that he used to spin regularly at the now legendary Plastic People nightclub in London.

Carlos Nino — More Energy Fields, Current

LA-based percussionist & producer Carlos Niño with a superb cast of musicians release cosmic ambient jazz masterpiece

You know that moment, often in a time of frustration or in a stressful state, when you are seeking for something to help transport you to another peaceful and meditative dimension? The prolific Los Angeles-based producer, percussionist, and DJ Carlos Niño and superb cast of musicians, many at the center of the creative music scene in Southern California, have provided that spiritual transportation through an absolute cosmic ambient jazz masterpiece recording, titled More Energy Fields, Current on Chicago’s International Anthem label.

Billie Harris — I Want Some Water

Nimbus West reissues Billie Harris’ soulful spiritual jazz masterpiece ‘I Want Some Water’ on vinyl

Over the last several years, Nimbus West, who released some of the greatest recordings to come out of the spiritual Jazz scene in Los Angeles during the late 70s and early 80s has been diving deep back into it’s vaults and unearthing a number of incredible sessions. Most recently, they have issued saxophonist Billie Harris‘ masterful 1980 album I Want Some Water on vinyl for the first time.

Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble — NOW

Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble return with incredible new powerful spiritual jazz album ‘NOW’

Over the last couple of years, the Chicago-based collective Black Monument Ensemble, led by visual/sound artist, and producer Damon Locks have released some of the most powerful and forward-thinking music. Their 2019 debut, Where Future Unfolds was arguably the best album to come out that year, and last year, the group put out the timely and very much needed uplifting track “Stay Beautiful”. Locks and the stellar ensemble have returned to release an absolutely brilliant new sophomore record on International Anthem, titled NOW.