After a week off, our Between The Cracks feature returns – wrapping up the week with your guide to new and notable releases that need your attention! Explore new albums from Eric Chenaux Trio, Blackjoy, Jake Long, Markus Holkko and more. We’ve put together a handy mini guide of fresh discoveries for your enjoyment. If you like the music, feel free to show the artists and labels some love by clicking on the links.
Albums
Eric Chenaux Trio – Delights Of My Life
“Delights Of My Life” is the debut album by Eric Chenaux Trio, spearheaded by Eric Chenaux on vocal and electric guitar with Toronto-based musicians Ryan Driver on Wurlitzer organ and Phillipe Melanson on electronic percussion. Chenaux’s compositions are notable for having the quality of proper jazz standards. This album is no different in that regard. These songs will connect to you in a way that you will feel an inexplicable familiarity right from your first listen. These original compositions are playful and mischievous yet mature enough for listeners to realize the virtuosic calibre of the trio. Chenaux is known for his romantic voice, evident from tracks such as ‘This Ain’t Life’, ‘I’ve Always Said Love’ and ‘These Things.’
Blackjoy – Grand Soleil
“Grand Soleil” is a long-awaited album from Jerome Caron’s Blackjoy project, following his previous release, “Erotis,” in 2010. This album features the combined goodness of keys, drums and strings with delicate vocals. This time, the Blackjoy project has offered the listeners a mellow, jazz-minded, ambient-infused album. The gospel-influenced songs are blissful and charming. The great French soul singer LYNN’s airy vocals on ‘Clouds’ and Blundetto’s controlled timekeeping on the drums over minimal drum machine patterns add to the serene excursion with ‘Grand Soleil.’
Jimi Tenor with Cold Diamond & Mink – Is There Love In Outer Space?
“Is There Love In Outer Space” by Jimi Tenor with Cold Diamond & Mink is a mesmerising fusion of soul, jazz, and cosmic vibes. With their new collaborative project, they showcase the uncanny compatibility of their styles. Helsinki-based Jimi Tenor’s music and technical innovations stem from dance music, but his style also incorporates an array of genres. Paired with Cold Diamond & Mink’s lush instrumentation, this album marks a milestone in their already successful careers. ‘Is There Love In Outer Space?’ and ‘Gaia Sunset (Part 1 & 2)’ are undoubtedly the two best tracks on this record.
James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg – All Gist
In “All Gist,” guitarists James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg weave an intricate tapestry of fingerstyle magic. The duo’s third collaboration brims with dexterity and passion, pushing the boundaries of folk. Guest musicians add symphonic depth to the duo’s captivating interplay. Standouts like the haunting “Nicest Distinction” and a daring acoustic take on “Buffalo Stance” showcase the album’s range from eerie complexity to serene beauty. Recorded quickly yet executed masterfully, “All Gist” captures the raw energy and joy of two guitar virtuosos in peak form. Elkington and Salsburg prove fluent in the language of strings, crafting evocative melodies that linger long after the final note rings out. An essential listen for guitar enthusiasts, “All Gist” embodies the instrument’s vast expressive potential.
Carlos Niño & Friends – Placenta
Percussion virtuoso Carlos Niño’s latest, Placenta, is a cosmic ambient jazz journey. With artists like André 3000, Jesse Peterson, Surya Botofasina, Sam Gendel, and Nate Mercereau, Niño offers thirteen tracks honouring life’s creation. Inspired by his new fatherhood, the LA producer’s album pays homage to the sacred feminine—mothers, doulas, and midwives. Niño’s kaleidoscopic production melds organic sounds, ethereal vocals, and electronic textures. Standouts include “Love to all Doulas!,” “Some rest for the Midwives . . .” André 3000’s flute on “Birthworkers Magic, and how we get hear…” and the 17-minute “Play Kerri Chandler’s RAIN.” Placenta’s blend of improvisation and studio craftsmanship wraps listeners in a sound cocoon. It’s a soulful affirmation of Niño’s visionary status in modern ambient jazz, offering sonic healing and spiritual renewal. It’s an essential listen for those seeking aural and spiritual nourishment.
Jake Long – City Swamp
Jake Long, the driving force behind UK jazz outfit Maisha, makes a stunning solo debut with ‘City Swamp.’ The album sees Long stepping out as a formidable producer and percussionist in his own right. Across five expansive tracks, Long crafts immersive soundscapes that blend swirling electronic textures with organic instrumentation. The result is a captivating fusion of jazz, ambient, and experimental styles that transports the listener. The 15-minute opener, “Ideological Rubble”, is a standout, gradually building from delicate piano to a cathartic crescendo of drums and synths. “Celestial Soup” is another highlight, with Long conjuring a dreamy atmosphere anchored by his deft touch on the drums. Throughout ‘City Swamp,’ Jake Long displays a singular artistic vision. He deftly balances improvisation and composition, crafting free-flowing yet carefully constructed pieces. It’s an impressive solo debut from one of the UK jazz scene’s most intriguing figures. Fans of Maisha will find much to love here, but ‘City Swamp’ also serves as a perfect entry point for the uninitiated. Immerse yourself in Jake Long’s beguiling sound world and drift away on his current.
Markus Holkko – Eye of the Universe
Markus Holkko’s new album “Eye of the Universe” combines a nod to his roots with a flair for experimentation, making it a marvel to experience. The Finnish saxophonist and composer delves into various influences, spanning straight-ahead jazz, Latin rhythms, and spiritual jazz, with subtle touches of West Coast cool and psychedelic vibes. The 8-track album showcases a talented group of collaborators: Juuso Rinta on double bass, Samuli Rautianen on electric piano, and Teemu Mustonen on drums and percussion. It combines organic instrumentation and nuanced textures, blending rich, natural sounds with carefully crafted sonic details. The result is an intricate, layered experience where every element—from the warmth of the sax notes to the mellow acoustic strings and the subtle electronic undertones—comes together to create a compelling album.
Lucas Arruda – Ominira
Lucas Arruda, the talented multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer hailing from Espírito Santo, Brazil, has graced us once again with his musical genius. This time, he is back with his fourth album, and quite frankly, it might just be his best work yet. Titled Ominira, this album is released under the esteemed French label Favorite Recordings. Arruda’s music seamlessly blends different genres, capturing the essence of his diverse influences, and Ominira is no exception. It offers a rich, immersive listening experience that underscores his evolution as an artist while staying true to the vibrant roots of his Brazilian heritage.
