It’s the first Between The Cracks of the year and as always we select ten recent musical discoveries spanning a broad range of music. 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
Shay Hazan – Reclusive Rituals
‘Reclusive Rituals’ from Shay Hazan combines a cool fusion of North African Gnawa grooves with jazz horns and hip-hop-infused beats. Stand-outs include ‘Pink Collar, ‘Guimbri Retreat’, ‘Bob Dealer’, ‘Afrobeatz’ and ‘Remove The Talk’. We have been playing this one endlessly for a few weeks and think you will too when you hit play.
Pique Roscoe – The Cruel Tutelage Of Pique Roscoe
With some solid production by Kuartz, this is a fantastic album by Manchester-based rapper Pique Roscoe. This is the brand new release from the ever-reliable Village Live Records.
Dr. Joy – Dr. Joy
From ambient to drone to komische to krautrock and beyond, the music on this album by Dr. Joy is as captivating as the beautiful cosmic artwork!
Temporal Marauder -The Shape Of Love
A fresh fusion of experimental electronic, psychedelic rock and retro-futurism from Temporal Marauder that demands repeat listening.
Sunmoonstar – Myrcene and The Marsupials
This new album by Sunmoonstar would go very well with a lovely yoga session or a soothing massage. Put on your headphones, find a place where you won’t be interrupted, take your time, and listen to the heavenly sounds of Sunmoonstar. Enjoy the superbly new age vibes of Myrcene and The Marsupials in all its glory as it sends you to a place far from wherever you are.
Sim Card Hølder – Sim Card Hølder
Sim Card Hølder’s new release will definitely appeal to listeners who wish to experience a complex, dark and jazzy journey. Gajek, Drone Operatør and Ian Bruner have created a demanding and deeply relaxing ride. It’s just what you need to relax and recharge.
Big Window – Big Window
Ease your way into the weekend with the gentle, trance-inducing ambient soundscapes, electronic experimentalism and pulsing rhythms of Big Window on Transitory Tapes. We’ll have this playing on repeat for a long time.
Cousin Kula – Double Dinners
Cousin Kula is a psych-pop band from Bristol, and this is their elegant debut album ‘Double Dinners’. Soft vocals line up perfectly, harmonising over a wonderfully arranged otherworldly pop and psychedelic soul soundscapes. There’s something refreshing and light about their sound; it has the ability to make you forget about your troubles. You’ll be playing this on repeat for a long time to come; we sure will!
Compilations
Kiyoshi Yamaya, Toshiko Yonekawa, Kifu Mitsuhashi – Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk ’76
180g deliver the goods again with this extraordinary collection of jazz-funk and rare groove tunes recorded at Nippon Columbia in the seventies by three giants of Japanese music: arranger Kiyoshi Yamaya, koto player Toshiko Yonekawa and shakuhachi master Kifu Mitsuhashi. Highly recommended.
Reissues
Persona – Som
São Paulo’s Discos Nada and Italy’s Black Sweat Records reissue the iconic Persona album ‘Som’, an incredible, experimental Brazilian album released initially on a 10″ in 1975. Consisting of Brazilian guitarist Luis Sérgio Carlini and various other members of Rita Lee’s Tutti Frutti band, even after forty plus years, Persona still sounds unlike virtually anything else you’ll hear today. It’s a trip, it’s got crazy psyche vibes, and I can bug out to it.
