Another edition of Between The Cracks full of essential new music. Our latest selections enthusiastically break free from the restrictions of styles and genres, welcoming you to a diverse listening adventure without limits. This week, we feature albums from Rasco, Maria Chiara Argiró, De Beren Gieren, Caoilfhionn Rose and more. So press play; hopefully, you may just stumble upon a new favourite to join your steadily expanding collection. Happy listening, music-loving folks!
Albums
Laurent Bardainne & Tigre D’Eau Douce – Eden Beach Club
Jazz saxophonist and composer Laurent Bardainne and his band ‘Tigre d’Eau Douce’ unveil their third album ‘Eden Beach Club.’ Once again, they are stepping on their successful formula – blending lingering groove, luxurious soul, and flamboyant jazz. This album is an anthem for every “sunrise to sunset” of your life that revolves around a sunny day at the Eden Beach Club. Exotic, adventurous sounds in tracks like ‘Serpent Kaa’ and smooth, groovy bass and saxophone lines in ‘Meilleur’ and the dance anthems such as ‘Dance for Eternity’- this record has everything you need. Offering a broad spectrum of floaty and beautiful tracks fueled by the unique holiday-at-the-beach spirit, this album takes you into the carefree world of the Eden Beach Club.
Kolonel Djafaar – Getaway
After their successful debut album, brass-led ensemble Kolonel Djafaar has released its second album, ‘Getaway’. This album results from intense writing and recording sessions deep in the heart of a tranquil forest from noon to midnight. The band members have taken their liberty and spread their wings. This album showcases the band’s evolution over the past couple of years. The band’s palette has broadened, and new sounds have been able to break through with tracks like “Siren’s Glitch” and “Phil’s First Tear” perfectly showcased. Fans have always loved Kolonel Djafaar for masterfully fusing Afrobeat, ethio-jazz, and psych-rock together. But now, their music has expanded to encompass an even greater breath of sound.
Rasco – Dmaot (Tears)
“Dmaot” is the second album from Rasco, consisting of guitarist Eden Atiya, bassist Gaya Wajsman, and drummer Itay Hamudi. Since their self-titled debut album, this genre-defying trio has been pushing the boundaries of garage and surf rock. They are well known for rejuvenating the essence of 1960s surf and garage bands and infusing it into a modern Mediterranean context. “Dmaot” (Tears) takes a darker turn and focuses on a denser side of ’80s garage music with a shift towards the shoegazing sound. For instance, in ‘Sleeping Sea, ‘ they craft a slow, laid-back song with haunting singing and a harsh and disorienting guitar tone that portrays a different side of Rasco as an ever-evolving trio. The album really comes together as a whole. For me, the standout tracks are ‘Layla’, ‘Nahar/Rau’, ‘Suzi Suzuk‘ and ‘Hashmal’.
De Beren Gieren – What Eludes Us
De Beren Gieren (“The Bear Vultures”) has released its seventh full album, “What Eludes Us,” after two and a half years since its acclaimed last release. “What Eludes Us” can be called an ode to “what escapes us” and “what we consciously want to look away from”. To be able to evoke these intangible feelings, the band left aside the unimaginable beauty of the Norwegian fjords and locked themselves away in a dusty recording studio in Bergen harbour. The peerless playing of the electro-acoustic jazz trio and their meticulous yet mysterious art of composing music, with deceptive rhythms, clear melodies and uninhibited electronics in a surprising way, have turned ‘What Eludes Us,’ into one of the best records in their career.
Caoilfhionn Rose – Constellation
“Constellation” is the third album from Caoilfhionn Rose under Gondwana Records. Caoilfhionn’s music is rooted in folk, jazz, and all the twentieth century’s classic artists. “Constellation” stems from this root and creates a magical, otherworldly space of her own vivid symbolism. Rose has stated her love for collaboration. “Knitting together all these influences, sounds and players” is what drives Constellation’, which features contributions from drummer Alan Taylor and bassist Gavin Barras, as well as Jordan Smart from Mammal Hands, whose supple sax exquisitely colours the fringes of most of its songs. Some standout tracks on the album include ‘Josephine’, ‘Rainfall’, ‘Fall Into Place’, and the title track. This fantastic album is a must-have—don’t miss out!
Maria Chiara Argiró – Closer
“Closer” is the latest album from London-based artist, pianist, synth player, composer, and producer Maria Chiara Argirò, a central figure in the UK jazz, classical, and electronic music worlds. According to Argirò, this album is utterly different from her previous work, and she has never felt satisfied to this degree about anything. Each track has a theme of its own yet is interlocked with other tracks. Argirò, with immaculate precision, has blended multiple genres, retaining that light, dreamy, immersive quality. The vibrant synth-pop of “Light” stands in remarkable contrast to the laid-back vibes of tracks like “September” and “Koala.” While “Light” bursts with energetic beats and shimmering electronic sounds, “September” and “Koala” offer a more relaxed and mellow experience, inviting listeners to unwind. Adding to the album’s diverse soundscape, the quirky rhythms of “Sun” and “Time” bring their own unique charm. This dynamic range of styles showcases Argiró’s versatility but keeps you eagerly anticipating what comes next. This is an excellent album, so don’t sleep!
