Each week we select an array of new albums, reissues, compilations and more from across the musical soundscape that require your attention. 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
Olicía – Liquid Lines
Anna-Lucia Rupp and Fama M’Boup are the duo behind ‘Liquid Lines’, a fantastic album combining modern jazz, electronic productions, neo-classical, experimental vocal arrangements, folk and indie-pop. The physical version of the album comes in two versions. The orange version is more energetic and outgoing, while the violet version is calm and organic. Glad this album found its way to our ears.
Robbie Lee & Lea Bertucci – Wind Bells Falls
Winds Bells Falls is the meeting of sound artist Lea Bertucci and multi-instrumentalist Robbie Lee, two of New York’s most unconventional musicians. Fans of the duo are familiar with their experimental music, and their nine compositions on this album follow that trend. Their colourful improvisations mix Avant-folk, musique concrete with sculpted experimental instrumental noise into a fascinating and joyful experience.
Enji – Ursgal
I discovered two excellent releases by Mongolian singer Enji on the recent Bandcamp Weekly show. On Ursgal, she blends jazz and folk with Mongolian traditions with aplomb. Now based in Munich, her lyrics refer to unbearable distances, the oddity of being on earth, and the simple truths of life. The album features Paul Brändle (guitar) Munguntovch Tsolmonbayar (double bass), Moritz Stahl (tenor sax ) and Alistair Duncan (trombone ). Ursgal is a beautiful album by my new favourite artists.
Enji, Popp – 031921 5.24 5.53
The music for this project was conceived and recorded by Enji and Simon Popp at his studio on March 19, 2021. The three tracks were directly cut to vinyl for a limited run of 50 dubplates to maintain the immediacy of this event. I love the interplay between the pair. Enji’s warm voice shows so much emotion, while Popp’s percussive touches are hypnotic and ethereal. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy.
Nick Walters – Singularity
On Nick Walters’ new album, cosmic jazz grooves meet samples recorded by NASA in space. For this interstellar journey, he recruits Ruby Rushton drummer Tim Carnegie, Tenderlonious on flute, Thibaut Remy on guitar. The tracks’ Cosmos’, ‘Penrose’, ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Supernova’ and evocative closer ‘Entropy’ deserve special mention.
EP’s
Hania Rani – Live from Studio S2
Hania Rani continues to amaze us with her exceptional talents. The versatile pianist, composer, and musician recently released her iconic ‘Live from Studio S2’ performance on limited edition vinyl. It is yet another incredible body of work from Rani that everyone should hear or see.
Jocy De Oliveira – Raga na Amazônia
Raga na Amazônia, brings together a small dose of mind-bending music by Brazilian experimental composer and pianist Jocy de Oliveira. Four experimental electroacoustic adventures to add some weirdness to your Friday. More great work from Discos Nada.
Compilations
Benítez & Valencia – Impossible Love Songs From Sixties Quito
Gonzalo Benitez and Luis Alberto Valencia’s remastered and recently released album, ‘Impossible Love Songs From Sixties Quito’, captures material from the duo’s extensive discography. The duo’s exquisitely romantic harmonising made them massive stars for almost three decades before Valencia unexpectedly died in 1970.
Various Artists – Reggae Africa (Roots & Culture 1972-1988)
Among the fantastic African reggae tracks on Africa Seven’s compilation are works from George Happi, Black Reggae, Tala André Marie, Christy Essien, Lijadu Sisters, Pasteur Lappé and more. Infectious music – this comp is a fascinating document of a very fertile period for roots and culture in Africa’s musical history. The tracks are so unique and good that choosing a favourite is almost impossible. Essential.
Various Artists – Essiebons Special 1973 – 1984
Analog Africa takes a deep dive into the inspired Essiebons label of Dick Essilfie-Bondzie. This comp gives you precisely what the label says -proper music with passion and happiness!
