With so much good music coming through thick and fast, it’s easy for albums to drop online and go overlooked. No lengthy write-ups as who reads those anyway? We keep it short and to the point because you’re here to listen to the music! Check out our weekly mini-guide below and if you like what you hear, click the links and support the artists.
Andrew Wasylyk – Fugitive Light and Themes of Consolation
Dundonian multi-instrumentalist and producer Andrew Wasylyk has shared the third in a trio of records which explore the landscape of Eastern Scotland as shimmering and inventive instrumental music. Citing influences including David Axelrod, John Barry, Virginia Astley, Mark Hollis, Alice Coltrane, its 10-tracks peacefully wanders somewhere between spiritual jazz, neo-classical and library music. Take some time out and explore the Tay estuary, winter fields, empty suburban streets and quarries of Eastern Scotland via this mesmerising album.
Roméo Poirier – Hotel Nota
The incredibly talented Roméo Poirier recently dropped his third album, Hotel Nota. Released via manchester label sferic, the LP much like his previous releases keeps the ever-present influence of the sea in focus, Poirier projects himself to a fantasised coastline, imagining a landscape in flux, continuously reconfigured by the movement of water and those that inhabit its space. Easily reaching the heights of his exemplary 2016 record ‘Plage Arriere’, this is another sublime release that blissfully melds Fourth World ambience, found sounds and Balearic warmth. Just click on opening cut ‘Thalassocratie’, and you’ll be hooked. Hotel Nota is forty-two minutes of beautifully-crafted, perfectly-executed musical excellence.
Elsa Hewitt – Ghostcats
Serving as an opener for her next album Lupa, the prolific Elsa Hewitt makes a welcome return. Ghostcats offers up a splendid mix of ambient improvisations, live-looping and hypnotic droning soundscapes. This is her most experimental offering to date and as good a place as any to jump on board if you’re new to Elsa Hewitt. Also, if you like what you hear give the rest of her stuff a go too…
JSOUL – Levels
The multi-talented JSOUL has been turning heads for a while, with his exciting and futuristic take on soul music. Hooking up with Inkswel’s Inner Tribe Records he continues to work his magic with new project Levels. If ever an artists name told pretty much all you need to know about their music its JSOUL. So whack on the headphones and expect to hear nine slices of deep soul music. Check out Levels below and be sure to give his previous LP ‘Neutronic Suite’ a spin if you haven’t already.
Boogarins – Manchaca Vol. 1
First of a two-volume compilation of Boogarins demos and outtakes. The album features candid moments of the creative process of the band; an intimate look into how Boogarins shaped their most recent two studio releases and what was lost (but now found) along the way.
Compilations
Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993 – Various
Strut Records never fail to impress and this compilation bringing together classics and rarities from Jimmy Gray’s seminal spiritual jazz and conscious soul label Black Fire, spanning 1975 to 1993 is another gem. The comp features two tracks from the labels best-known act the legendary African jazz-funk group Oneness Of Juju, alongside many of the other lesser-known artists and spanning genres from gospel, to soul and jazz.
Reissues
Jay Days - Between The Swells
Portuguese label Mad About Records present the only album by Jay Days’. Eight killer funky AOR sounds and blue eyed soul tracks. Rarely surfaced in the collectors’ market but now the album is finally reissued on vinyl.
Singles
Carista – Aisa’s Dream
As soon as Carista’s warm melodic house vibes float into your ears, you’ll never want them to leave. This one is sure to get the cool kids heads in a spin. Keep your ears wide open for Carista, and we suspect even bigger things are coming.
Cool Maritime – Something New
If you’ve not had the best of weeks, then this dreamy floater from Cool Maritime is what you need. Bubbling with new age drone across its nine-minute duration to create an entirely mellow and enlightening atmosphere. “Swimming through the depths of pain and sadness, my head emerges from the water and I am greeted by the warmth of hope and visions of something new.” – Cool Maritime
Sabine McCalla – Sabine McCalla
Beautiful two-tracker from Sabine McCalla. Leaving us in awe from the first note to the last McCalla’s spirited cocktail of folk-country soul music enriched with her equally arresting tones is the kind music that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. Expect to see a lot more of McCalla on the site.
Thanks to James at TSMM for the singles tips!
