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.
Albums
Georgia – State Effects
Justin Tripp and Brian Close present their latest kaleidoscopic hyper-music-entity that expands the high-dimensional phase space project. State Effect (Accel) blends the pair’s eclectic tastes in dub, experimental electronics, techno, and beyond. The eight-track LP makes extensive use of the vocal talents of Paris/Berlin-based artist Oiseau Danseur aka Marylou and Gabi Asfour of visionary NY fashion collective threeASFOUR. The endless musical creativity of Tripp and Close simply knows no bounds. A sublime release. I love every track!
Mndsgn – Rare Pleasure
‘Rare Pleasure’ is Ringgo Ancheta’s third Mndsgn record for Stones Throw but his first traditional studio album compared to his seven homemade beat records. It’s a laidback blend of breezy hip hop, mellow jazz, and smooth R&B wrapped in a psychedelic haze—a must-listen for fans of Thundercat and Steve Lacey.
Shanique Marie – Gigi’s House
The Queen of the Eternal Children, aka Shanique Marie, drops her debut long-player featuring collaborations and production from Gavsborg, Alanna Stuart, Michael Vincent Waller, Raging Fyah, Swing Ting, and Exile Di Brave. Not everything clicks with me, but when it does, this is brilliant.
Children Of Zeus – Balance
The Manchester duo returns with their most accomplished recording to date, featuring 13 cuts fusing hip hop, gospel, r&b, and street soul influences. No real surprise how dope this album is, and maybe I’m taking it for granted how good these guys are, but the talent of these two is just ridiculous. Certainly a must-have for any Soulboy and girls worldwide.
täpp – i like what i do // i do what i like
Led by violinist Rebekah Reid, UK collective Täpp drops their genre-defying new album. i like what i do // i do what i like, blends influences from classical music, jazz, hip-hop, electronics, folk music, bassline and beyond. It’s an exciting mix of sounds that they manage to weave together perfectly. The album features some serious talent like And Is Phi, Chantelle Gabriella Jazz, Delali, Contours, Ayo Salawu, Abbi Phillips and Alex Hill. Clocking in at over eight minutes, the gorgeous ‘Orun’ is the highlight of the album.
Reissue
Southern Energy Ensemble – Southern Energy
First digital release for another lost classic from the Black Fire Records archives, ‘Southern Energy’, the only album recorded by R’n’B and jazz collective Southern Energy Ensemble, recorded in 1977 but unheard before a limited CD release in 1993 – socially conscious funk, soul and jazz with a positive message. Tip.
EP’s
Yaya Bey – The Things I Can’t Take With Me
First impressions were good, and by the time I reached the final track, I couldn’t wait to start it all over again. The Things I Can’t Take With Me is the latest release from multidisciplinary artist and singer-songwriter Yaya Bey following last year’s intimate and political Madison Tapes LP. Mid-paced with great lyricism, a lovely mesh of styles coupled with memorable hooks and melodies. An album that gets better with every listen.
Midori Jaeger – See, Touch, Kick and Sweat
Midori Jaeger collaborated with producer Felix Higginbottom (Snarky Puppy, Bill Laurance and Low Island) for her new EP, resulting in an intense and poignant sound that melds unique cello textures with fiercely grooving percussion and electronics. Each track of the EP explores a life-changing moment through the prism of a verb, from a sparkless monogamous relationship (Touch) to damaging but alluring power dynamics (Kick) to inhabit many layers of experience through the eyes of Midori.
Rosie Turton – Expansions and Transformations: Part I & II
Two years after the excellent Rosie’s 5ive, the latest offering from Rosie Turton explores impermanence and evolution and how this intertwines music and mind. In this new project, she creates a beautiful sonic landscape of gloriously improvised jazz grooves alongside a cast of fantastic players like Johanna Burnheart (violin), Maria Chiara Argirò (piano & synthesisers), Twm Dylan (bass), Jake Long (drums), Ben Hayes (electronics) and Tom Oldfield (cello). So do yourself a favour and check this EP. It’s not to be missed.
Singles
The Vernon Spring – God Is Love
‘God Is Love’ is the first single from The Vernon Spring’s sophomore album ‘What’s Going On’ – a beautiful, powerful and timely response to Marvin Gaye’s seminal ‘What’s Going On’ record from 1971. Proceeds from the single will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
