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
Ruth Goller – SKYLLA
Wow! Music can be so exhilarating. On ‘Skylla’, Ruth Goller composed instinctively based on what she hears at any given moment, which in some ways sees her returning to the pure untaught instincts that drove her as a teen punk musician. The ten-track project features Goller on bass guitar and vocals; alongside vocalists Lauren Kinsella and Alice Grant with production from Kit Downes. The music takes inspiration from Bulgarian folk songs to free jazz, to ‘Joyce’ to the Italian Alps from where she hails. A unique album for those seeking a musical adventure.
Dego – The Negative Positive
Broken Beat pioneer Dego returns with a brilliant new album that dances the line between bruk, techno, boogie, soul and jazz. Arguably his best album to date, everything from the masterful production to the classy guest vocals are on point, moulding together to deliver such a varied and well-constructed album.
Burkina Azza – Wari bô
Burkina Azza’s debut album Wari bô takes the listener to the very soul of Burkina Faso. Eight pulsating balafon (xylophone) and percussive led tracks from the Djibasso region. Take a deep dive into the music of the West African nation; it’s pretty beautiful!
soFa, Houschyar, Okay Temiz – Şelale
Legendary Turkish drummer and percussionist Okay Temiz teams up with Belgian producer soFa and German musician Houschyar. Temiz weaves his percussive magic through six diverse psychedelic synthesisers and drum computer jams in this brilliant collaboration alongside two budding young producers.
Loveshadow – Loveshadow
A label that doesn’t release dud music. Music From Memory unveil the debut album from Californian duet Loveshadow. The duo of Anya and Izaak bonded over their shared love over an obscure ’90s disco band called Aurra. With many experimental fusions combining electronica, indie pop, disco and funk, their eponymous debut record is straight-up loveliness from start to finish. Press play on this album; you will not be disappointed.
Reissues
Theatre West – Bow to the People
First digital release for a forgotten 1976 spiritual soul-jazz classic from the Black Fire archives. Highly sought after album that features recently released classic ‘Children Of Tomorrow’s Dreams’ and previously unheard tracks’ Man Of Many Means’ and ‘I Don’t Know Much About Love’. What’s not to like?
EP’s
William Tyler & Luke Schneider – Understand
Top-quality EP from renowned guitarists William Tyler & Luke Schneider on Leaving Records. Inspired by Ted Chiang’s short story of the same name, the four-song EP was recorded at a Nashville studio during the 2020 lockdown in a single sitting. The pair mingle ambient and krautrock via electric and acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar, banjo, bass, and synthesiser. Essential!
David Nesselhauf – Rituals EP
David Nesselhauf hails from the new electronic jazz scene in Berlin as part of the KRYPTOX label crew, a sublabel of Toy Tonics. He makes profound and sensitive music that can be described as a mix of Nicolas Jaar and Thundercat, Floating Points and Kiefer- recommended.
Nathaniel Cross – The Description Is Not The Described
This is a fantastic debut solo EP from arranger and trombone player Nathaniel Cross. Across its four tracks, Cross contemporary jazz with calypso, bruk, dancehall, neo-soul, hip hop, gospel, Afro-Cuban and West African music. Anyone who likes their jazz with a more experimental twist should love this record. Out via First Word Records.
Forthcoming
Lynda Dawn – Roses – XL Middleton Version
London-based vocalist, producer and songwriter Lynda Dawn is back with a new 7″ for Extra Soul Perception. Hooking up with L.A. producer and record shop owner XL Middleton for an up-tempo flip of her track ‘Roses’, he weaves g-funk and 90s RnB with Dawn’s heart-melting tones. Heavenly boogie earworm.
Can’t come soon enough
quickly quickly – The Long and Short of It
Heavy Rotation
Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange
