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.
Dawuna – Glass Lit Dream
Regular readers will know of my fondness for music that’s left of centre. On Glass Lit Dreams the new album from New York-based artist Dawuna he meticulously blends outsider R&B, lo-fi soul, and experimental electronics with his equally arresting lyrics and velvety tones. Click the play button and listen as the album gradually begins to reveal its many layers. Often sparse yet always incredibly fluid and warm standout tracks include ‘The Lighthouse’, ‘Bad Karma’, ‘Parable I & II’ and ‘Foreshadowing’. This brilliant album could be high on many end of year lists.
Jakob Folke Ivarsson – Portrætter / Faserummet
Danish artist Jakob Folke Ivarsson returns with a new album, and it’s absolutely brilliant! Soothing soundscapes that titillate between experimental electronics and ambience to create the perfect stress relief. This project might be my favourite experimental ambient releases of 2020, listen to the magical Portrætter / Faserummet below!
Flanafi – Do You Have My Money?
When it comes to Philadelphia’s Flanafi, you know you’re going to get something a little different but also ear-catching and infectious. Releasing his new LP called ‘Do You Have My Money?’, he continues the trend set with his self-titled debut blessing us with an array of forward-thinking songs that straddle the lines of folk, electronic, soul, jazz, and pop. Gentle vocals harmonise over all manner of soulful atmospherics comprised of subtle drums, soft guitars lines, delicate clarinet & flute notes, crisp electronics and more. Fans of Sam Gendel, Sam Wilkes, The Growth Eternal and Diggs Dukes should have a listen if they haven’t already.
Emile – The Black Spider / Det Kollektive Selvmord
Another great discovery courtesy of TSMM. Danish-born Emile creates heartfelt psychedelic loner folk sprinkled with a dusting of other strangely melancholic sounds. The Black Spider / Det Kollektive Selvmord packs a powerful musical punch and beautifully contrasts lyrics about death, life, loss and fear of growing old with its entirely immersive sound. Give the album a spin below and fall in love the with Emile’s magnificent blend of warming vocals, delicate acoustic guitar lines and haunting arrangements.
Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin – Les Mamans du Congo
Renowned singer and percussionist Gladys Samba and the four other gorgeous voices that makeup Les Mamans du Congo sing lullabies to emancipate the African woman. Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin is a unique collaboration that marries the Bantu lullabies of the Congo, with electro percussive grooves and hip-hop beats. A match made in heaven, Les Mamans du Congo’s gorgeously rich voices are wonderfully soundtracked by Rrobin’s hypnotic and hip-shaking production which will have you busting some moves. Stream the LP below; it’s an absolute must listen!
EP’s
Saint Ezekiel – Everything is Under Alarm
I’ve been meaning to listen to Saint Ezekiel’s new EP Everything is Under Alarm for a few weeks. Like so music at the moment ( i have a six-month-old son) it’s been sitting patiently in my inbox due to a lack of time. Luckily I was playing Szabolcs Bognar aka Àbáse’s music yesterday which reminded me of Ezekiel’s email (he’s a good friend of Bognar). The inspiration for the title of the EP explains Ezekiel came from the anastrophe of the phrase,” everything is under control, no cause for alarm.” Throughout the seven tracks, he lays down a mixture of Afrobeat, afro-fusion, jazz and neo-soul to accompany his brilliant voice. This is a strong introduction, and we can’t wait to hear what he has in store for us next. Get acquainted with the uplifting sounds of Saint Ezekiel by listening below.
Nathan Salsburg – Landwerk No 2
If songs built around samples from 78-rpm phonograph records that take in, Klezmer music, Yiddish folk songs, and Slovak miners’ orchestra from Northeastern Pennsylvania, sound like your thing- press play on Nathan Salsburg’s Landwerk No. 2 below. Gentle guitar lines cruise over subtle loops of lap steel, piano and more. Thanks once again to James at TSMM for the tip. Sheer joy from start to finish.
corto.alto – 435
After putting out an impressive, new release every three weeks for over a year. corto.alto return on Bristol label Worm Discs with a four-track vinyl release of recordings that managed to raise the game and leave us wanting much more. 435 is a stunning snapshot of corto. alto’s diverse sound and if you’ve not come across the Liam Shortall led band this is a perfect starting point.
Reissue’s
Gelson Oliveira & Luiz Ewerling – Terra
* Debut album by the influential gaucho musician Gelson Oliveira, in partnership with the drummer Luiz Ewerling, released independently in 1983, with minimal resources. In spite of all this, they made a unique and very good album, with a spectacular musicality, a mix of sounds, ranging from jazz, funk and fusion.
Also worth your time…
Nicholas Krgovich & Friends – Pasadena Afternoon
MAD ABOUT RECORDS – Mandala Mandala
JISR جسر – JISR جسر too far away
*Press notes
