Welcome to our latest ‘Between The Cracks’. You can read a bit about each album and play it on the website via the Bandcamp player. As always, please support the artists by purchasing their music. We hope you enjoy reading and listening!
Albums
Antti Lötjönen – Circus / Citadel
It is no secret that Antti Lötjönen (The Five Corners Quintet, 3TM, Ilmiliekki Quartet and Timo Lassy, among others) is considered a significant player in the Finnish jazz scene. ‘Circus / Citadel’ is a new “suite” of seven compositions inspired by a poem by Romanian-born German-language poet Paul Celan (1920-1970) – a powerful piece of acoustic jazz in the tradition of Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman. Out via We Jazz Records
WAAN – Echo Echo
The full-length debut of the sax and keys duo WAAN offers a heady trip through atmospheric electronic soundscapes often tinged with jazz, funk, hip-hop, cinematics, Ethio and more. Echo Echo is an outstanding example of modern, eclectic dance music, where many different genres and sounds meet to create something unique. Although each of the ten tracks has a distinct feel, they could not be more different!
Lukas Traxel – One-Eyed Daruma
We Jazz Records once again delivers an impressive release. With his debut album, Swiss bassist Lukas Traxel makes a powerful statement. The trio features Traxel on double bass, Otis Sandsjö on sax, and Moritz Baumgärtner on drums. The trio’s sound is organic, deep, and rhythmically driven avantgarde jazz while keeping things moving at all times. Traxel composed the outline for One-Eyed Daruma while coping with the loss of his father. Invest the time to listen to this album and reward yourself.
John Haycock – Dorian Portrait
Beautiful modern Mandinka music by John Haycock played on Kora, clarinet and electronics featuring percussionist/drummer Domi Chansorn on two songs. A fluid progression from ‘Didiymus’, Dorian Portrait is an elegantly composed work of sonic art. Haycock demonstrates his ability to establish a visceral experience with meditative flows that soothe the soul. Listen with a good pair of headphones.
Nick Walters – Padmāsana
This one has been floating around for a while. Nick Walters recently unveiled his second album through his own D.O.T. Records imprint. The creation of Padmāsana was inspired and influenced by the experiences and samples he encountered during his travels in the Indian subcontinent. In Walters East London studio, all the pieces were put together, including live contributions from Tenderlonious on flute, Kieran McLeod on trombone, Tim Carnegie on drums, and himself on trumpet and synth. It blends jazz fusion, electronic music and Indian influences harmoniously to create something truly extraordinary.
Conic Rose – Heller Tag
With a stylistically varied approach, this Berlin-based collective crafts a thoroughly modern take on jazz, and it’s damn good. The talented young musicians bounce around from electronic, cinematic jazz, ambient and art rock, never losing their enchantment and confidence. It’s a fascinating musical journey with many perspective points to consider and enjoy on Heller Tag.
Compilations
Various Artists – El Ele: solidarity in the aftermath of Turkey & Syria earthquakes
Zel Zele Records release a 21-track benefit compilation with all proceeds going to local NGOs and friends’ grass-roots initiatives active in Turkey and Syria. With its eclectic mix of artists, Zel Zele has maintained its reputation for covering a wide range of genres – this new compilation is no exception. Encompassing everything from jazz, rock, new-wave, ambient, experimental, and dub. The comp features artists like Veronik, Berk Icli, Tamar Osborn, Idris Rahman, Ill Considered, Koltun and more: a worthy cause and some excellent music.
Síbín – Síbín Vol. 1
Excellent compilation from start to finish from Síbín, one of my favourite new collectives/communities, and all proceeds go to two vital organisations – The Black Curriculum and Blackfriars Settlement. Press play to hear cutting-edge new music from Fatima, KwAkE, Natty Wylah, Joe Armon-Jones, Wu Lu, Anja Ngozi and many more. It’s an outstanding collection of excellent music, so clicking buy is a no-brainer.
