With so much good music coming through thick and fast, it’s easy for brand-new music to drop online and go overlooked. To help prevent this, we’ve picked five releases you may have missed. Stream music from SEED Ensemble, Kassa Overall, Chris Dawkins, Al Dobson Jr., and ILL CONSIDERED. If you like what you hear, support the artists.
SEED Ensemble – Driftglass
Having already shared Rosie Turton’s amazing debut EP London-based label Jazz re:freshed continues to unleash more brilliance from the capital’s thriving jazz scene. Next up on the label comes ten-piece collective SEED Ensemble led by alto saxophonist, and composer Cassie Kinoshi, the album combines jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced grooves. The politically charged ‘WAKE (for Grenfell)’ and ‘Interplanetary Migration’ are standouts among a very strong set. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again that this will be in my top ten albums come years end.
Kassa Overall – Go Get Ice Cream And Listen To Jazz
The latest release by New York-based drummer, producer and rapper Kassa Overall mixes sharp lyrics with jazz, hip-hop, and R&B on a record packed with of tight grooves and slick musicianship. This fine album and brilliantly titled LP includes contributions from the late trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Arto Lindsay, Carmen Lunday, and Theo Croker to name a few. Give this unique and inventive album a listen.
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Chris Dawkins – Hero’s Journey
Get familiar with Leeds musician, composer and producer Chris Dawkins. Having worked as a session musician, touring and writing for Nightmares On Wax, Jimi Tenor and Maurice Fulton, plus collaborating with David Holmes, and Adrian Sherwood he finally steps into the spotlight. His debut solo LP titled ‘Hero’s Journey’ finds Dawkins laying down his signature jazz landscapes, atmospheric trip-hop tips, and groove-laden ditties.
Al Dobson Jr. – Sounds From The Village Vol. 2
Al Dobson Jr has released the second ‘Sounds From The Village’ album on Kutmah’s experimental Izwid imprint. From percussive jams to abstract beats via meditative dub and hypnotic, soulful grooves, this new record is one you can’t miss. No one does loose abstract grooves as well as Dobson Jr. Headphones on for the perfect listening experience.
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ILL CONSIDERED – 5 & 6
Ill Considered’s 5th and 6th albums were recorded just over a year after their first. Dive in and immerse yourself into both albums back to back as the band conjure up everything from dreamy soundscapes via dark textural pieces and riff-heavy grooves on this ambitious release. Yet another impressive offering from the forward-thinking collective.
