Looking to expand your music collection? Check out our latest selection of essential releases you need to hear.! Every week, our Between The Cracks feature showcases musical gems that often fly under the radar. There’s a whole smorgasbord of musical genres to explore, and we’ve cover everything from jazz to ambient, electronic to folk, dub to new age, and more!. Read our mini-guide below, and if you like what you hear, click the links to support the artists. Happy listening folks!
Albums
Major Ruse – Paper Boat
Here at Twistedsoul, we take great joy in discovering and introducing you to bands and artists that may be entirely new to your ears! After a quick Google search, it seems this is the first review for Major Ruse, a fresh band hailing from Nottingham that seamlessly blends hip-hop-influenced jazz with a sprinkling of rock and punk vibes. We love the constant and dynamic back and forth between heavy rock’s intense, pulse-quickening pace and the tranquil, slower-tempo and reflective moments found in soulful tunes. ‘Make Me Stay’ featuring Daisy Godfrey will touch your heart and stir your soul with its reflective depth, while the thrilling highs of the title track kindle a whirlwind of joy and excitement. A thoroughly enjoyable listen, from the first note to the last.
Nailah Hunter – Lovegaze
The expanding talent of Los Angeles-based harpist, singer, and composer Nailah Hunter crafts a diverse mixture of folk, R&B, ambient, psychedelia, and alternative soul on her debut album. “Lovegaze” marks an impressive first release, offering shimmering ambient and mystical folk soundscapes. It melds the charm of nostalgic harp crescendos with the colourful chaos of psychedelia, all anchored by her incredibly soulful voice.
Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau & Carlos Niño – Subtle Movements
Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau, and Carlos Niño, the soulful cosmic jazz trio who recently wowed us with their collaboration with André 3000, are back in action. Surya, a protégé of the legendary Alice Coltrane, shines on the keyboard while Nate takes on the guitar and Carlos impresses on the percussion. Based in Los Angeles, they’ve come together to showcase their undeniable chemistry by releasing a fantastic new album with Leaving Records. The album, beautifully titled “Subtle Movements,” is soothing, almost meditative, and incredibly spiritual, enveloping you in an enchanting and therapeutic ambience.
Pierre Bastien & Michel Banabila – Baba Soirée
Pierre Bastien and Michel Banabila join forces for the first time in their collaborative album, “Baba Soirée”. Over ten tracks, the two visionaries of electronic music create a unique symphony each time you press play. Bastien’s intricate mechanical loops and extraordinary instrumental arrangements blend effortlessly with Banabila’s masterful sound design and unrivalled collage sampling abilities. It’s an album full of stunningly beautiful, experimental compositions and fascinating sounds.
Mike Cooper & Pierre Bastien – Aquapelagos Vol.2 Índico
“Indico” is the intriguing second instalment in Keroxen’s “Aquapelagos” album series. In each album, two artists explore, through their music, the lives and cultures of communities that have close bonds with water. This collection of four long-form compositions features two pivotal figures in the realm of improvised music, Mike Cooper and Pierre Bastien. Dive into “Indico” and witness an unconventional musical journey where the lines dividing culture, nature, and music are beautifully blurred.
MinaeMinae – Räumlichkeit
This one dropped back in early 2023, but we’ve only got hip to it now! Under his elusive MinaeMinae guise, Bastian Epple creates an incredibly well-thought-out album of melodic electronic nostalgia and percussive beat-oriented soundscapes – all at once beautiful, calming, intriguing, and uplifting.
EP’s
Ceitidh Mac – Seabird
We are still looking in the rearview mirror and discovering the musical magic we missed in 2023. We’re thrilled to uncover Ceitidh Mac’s super mellow, dreamy, drifting alt. folk sounds on her recent six track EP. Mac creates a soothing and thought-provoking atmosphere with her melodic cello lines intertwining with her ethereal vocals, warm analogue synth, vibraphone, drums and tenor guitar. We encourage you to delve further into Mac’s discography – and enjoy the other musical treasures that await your exploration.
Singles
Oluko Imo – Were Oju Le (The Eyes Are Getting Red)
Soundway Records share ‘Were Oju Le (The Eyes Are Getting Red)’ by Trinidadian artist Oluko Imo. The song features Fela and Femi Kuti and is the b-side of the 12″ single ‘Oduduwa’, the first release in a series of reissues shining light on the figure of Oluko Imo. His music sits at the fault line of the Trinidad-Yoruba connection, blending calypso heritage with the Afrobeat and jazz of Nigeria. The release schedule includes 12″ single ‘Oduduwa’, Black Truth Rhythm Band’s LP ‘Ifetayo’, and Oluko Imo’s albums ‘Glory Of OM’ and ‘Anoda Sistem’.
