Welcome to your new Between The Cracks featuring eight must-hear releases. As always 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! As always, please support the artists by purchasing their music. We hope you enjoy reading and listening!
Albums
Speakers Corner Quartet – Further Out Than The Edge
With their debut album, Speakers Corner Quartet deliver a rich sound where all members shine individually and collectively. Guest spots abound, featuring Shabaka Hutchings, Coby Sey, Sampha, Kae Tempest, Joe Armon-Jones, Léa Sen, and more. There is something about Further Out Than The Edge that grows with more details and nuances revealed on each spin. Many elements are present on this album, including jazz, neo-soul, hip-hop, spoken word, and electronic, and they are all brought together exquisitely. From start to finish, the album takes the listener on a journey, immersing them in the sonic world created by the talented quartet and their friends.
Mush Tone Ensemble – Walking On The Grass
Quality debut from Finnish trio Mush Tone Ensemble, which will delight improvised modal-free jazz lovers. High on energy, the trio navigates through nine tracks with energetic drumming, submerging bass structures, melodic trumpet, and flugelhorn notes. Walking On The Grass has all the consistency and quality we’ve come to expect from an album released on RR Gems.
Organic Pulse Ensemble – Formative Stages
We didn’t have to wait long for the latest Organic Pulse Ensemble album. Fresh from the release of ‘A Thousand Hands’ on 2 Headed Deer’ comes ‘Formative Stages’ via the always-on-point RR Gems Records. As usual, with recordings by Gustav Horneij, aka Organic Pulse Ensemble, composed, performed, recorded and mixed the entire project single-handedly, except for the bouzouki you hear on one track. His compositions blend free, modal and spiritual jazz music, emphasising improvisation and exploring new sounds. Each piece is intricately crafted and demonstrates his mastery of the music-making process. It’s easy to forget that one man is responsible for creating these intricate soundscapes. Wonderful stuff!
Soft Power – Raw Bites
‘Raw Bites‘ is Soft Power‘s follow-up to their sublime 2020 ‘Brink Of Extinction’ album. The forthcoming album features a mix of robust, psychedelic soundscapes and pulsating grooves. There’s a feeling here that the music rushes forth like a roaring force – an intense and flashing musical journey sure to capture the listener’s attention. By letting the music take control, they combine kinetic and crispy grooves with mysterious cinematic sonic storytelling, leading to pure expression from pure creative potential. It reflects the band’s growth, maturity, and evolution as musicians. This band should be big!
Salami Rose Joe Louis – Akousmatikous
It’s time for the fifth album from Californian producer (and planetary scientist) Lindsay Rose Olsen’s quirky musical project Salami Rose Joe Louis. Akousmatikous is her third release on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label. Featuring collaborations with Brijean and Soccer96, it’s a complex mix of jazzy vocals, abstract beats, and hazy electronica. Her self-styled ‘sleepy jams’ have never sounded so good.
Yaeji – With A Hammer
Venturing away from dancefloor bangers, which she’s known for Yaeji’s debut album ‘With A Hammer’, finds the South Korean-American artist expanding her sound. Freshly twisted and feisty, Yaeji’s album is a captivating mix of electronic, trip-hop, and pop sounds, a testament to her creative and distinct style. Take a listen, and you won’t be disappointed.
Reissues
Naná Vasconcelos – Africadeus
Altercat Records just reissued the classic 1973 album by the great Naná Vasconcelos. It’s a mix of spiritual, folk and experimental percussion sounds. Highly recommended to free jazz improv and folk fans alike.
Naná, Nelson Angelo, Novelli – Naná, Nelson Angelo, Novelli
Another superb reissue from Altercat Records! Brazilian innovation by percussionist Naná Vasconcelos and Nelson Angelo & Novelli from Club da Esquina. It’s an incredible album and a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in Brazilian music!
