With so much good music coming through thick and fast, it’s easy for albums to drop online and go overlooked. To help prevent this, we’ve picked five records you need to hear — essential releases from Seu Jorge & Rogê, Asa Tone, Tara Clerkin Trio, MMYYKK and James Massiah.
Seu Jorge & Rogê – Seu Jorge & Rogê Night Dreamer Direct-To-Disc Sessions
Brazilian brothers in arms Seu Jorge and Rogê celebrate 25 years of friendship for their first-ever album recording, as part of Night Dreamer’s Direct-To-Disc Series. The 7-track album was recorded and cut direct-to-disc in a one-take session at Artone Studio, Haarlem, The Netherlands. It follows the label’s debut direct-to-disc from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. Enjoy the album below, it’s a stunner!
Asa Tone – Temporary Music
Asa Tone recently released their debut album, Temporary Music, via the ever-excellent Leaving Records. The trio of Melati Malay, Tristan Arp and Kaaz travelled to Tegallalang, Indonesia and over 10 days recorded the album in a temporary studio in a house nestled in the jungle’s canopy. The LP features the trio using both analogue and digital processing and largely draws upon the groups collective voice, a small selection of instrumentation (Rindik, Moog Sub 37, Infinite Jets, Suling) and their immediate environment. Riding the line between 4th world experimentation, quirky electronics, and healing ambience get ready for Asa Tone; as they are only just getting started!
Tara Clerkin Trio – Tara Clerkin Trio
Returning with their self-titled album, Bristol-based threesome Tara Clerkin Trio continues to prove impossible to pigeon-hole, turning their creative hands to multiple genres and styles. The 7-song collection mixes influences from Lee Scratch Perry, Sun Ra and Boards Of Canda, with ‘90s TV adverts, British sitcom soundtracks and quirky studio manipulation. Highlights are plentiful with our faves being ‘In The Room’ ‘Helenica’, ‘I Know He Will’ and ‘There Will Be Time’. Often mind-bending, sometimes soul-soothing and always deeply experimental 2020 has its third essential (Jeff Parker & Nick Malkin if you’re wondering) album!
EP’s
MMYYKK – ElectroSoul EP
A little hidden gem from the end of 2019 that we just had to share. Minneapolis based multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/producer Mychal Fisher aka MMYYKK delivers four outstanding electro-soul cuts that blend warm jazz, and ethereal R&B. These tracks are just lovely, i could not stop listening , opener ‘Better (For the Love)’ pulled me in from the start. Very classy, and creative stuff from an artist who’s name should be on everyone’s lips.
James Massiah – Natural Born Killers
South London poet / DJ James Massiah dropped this wonderful 4 tracker five months ago on Jon Rust’s Levels label. Known for his masterly spoken word, on Natural Born Killers he showcases his production skills with ethereal, lofty vibes delivered in a buoyant dancehall/house hybrid. In ‘Natural Born Killers’ Massiah testifies to a newfound earthly love and guilt-free living, inspired by a search for meaning in a selfish world. This is just so god-damn good I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to share it with you.
