We’re back with our Between The Cracks feature, bringing you a new collection of sonic marvels to delight your ears. This week’s selection dives deep into the hidden gems and under-the-radar releases that deserve your attention. From future jazz classics to experimental improvised sounds, we’re here to showcase the music that might have slipped through the cracks of mainstream. If you like the music, feel free to show the artists and labels some love by clicking on the links.
Alan Braufman – Infinite Love Infinite Tears
Alan Braufman’s Infinite Love Infinite Tears delves into the depths of free jazz nearly half a century after his groundbreaking debut Valley of Search. The seasoned alto saxophonist presents an album filled with raw emotion, complex interactions, and catchy tunes. Emerging from the 1970s NYC loft jazz scene, Braufman recorded his first album at 501 Canal St. He later worked with notables like Carla Bley and The Psychedelic Furs before his 2020 comeback with The Fire Still Burns. Infinite Love Infinite Tears features organic compositions that Braufman hums to himself, creating memorable melodies that the band elevates. His sharp alto sax blends with Patricia Brennan’s vibraphone, James Brandon Lewis’s robust tenor, and a versatile rhythm section. Highlights include “Chasing a Melody,” an intense 8-minute journey, and the touching title track with its haunting theme. This late-career masterpiece from an avant-garde stalwart, Braufman’s Infinite Love Infinite Tears, is a profound work that continues to unveil layers with each listen. It’s a must for those seeking bold jazz explorations.
Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi – Altera Vita
Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi’s “Altera Vita” is a captivating duet that showcases the sublime interplay between harp and saxophone. As two of Europe’s most acclaimed jazz artists, Bzhezhinska and Kofi bring impressive pedigrees to this innovative collaboration. The album mirrors the arc of human experience, guiding the listener through a sensory journey from conception to the great beyond. Dedicated to the late saxophone icon Pharoah Sanders, “Altera Vita” pays homage to his spiritual, searching style. Across six evocative tracks, harp and saxophone dance gracefully, buoyed by the duo’s subtle percussion. “Tabula Rasa” features Kofi’s tenor curling like smoke around Bzhezhinska’s shimmering glissandos. “Audite Me” finds the pair in an impassioned musical dialogue, building to a cathartic crescendo. “Altera Vita” is a rare and extraordinary album that rewards deep listening. Bzhezhinska and Kofi uncover new worlds of nuance and emotion by stripping jazz to its barest essentials. The album is a transcendent experience not to be missed.
Vinícius Mendes – Macunaísmo Tardio Vol.1 and 2 (Notes On A Journey)
To be honest and straightforward, if you’re a Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges fan, this album will hook you on the first listen. Vinícius Mendes, a saxophonist, flautist, composer, improviser, and researcher, delivers “Macunaísmo Tardio Vol. 1 & 2”. The collection includes Mendes’ original compositions alongside fresh takes on Brazilian classics by Lucca Noacco Toninho Horta, and an impressive rendition of Joyce Moreno’s evergreen dance floor hit “Aldeia de Ogum.” The 12-track album masterfully blends the relaxed, laid-back vibes of samba with the complexity and sophistication of jazz fusion, all underscored by the vibrant energy of Latin percussion. Throughout the record, these intricate layers create a dynamic and enticing soundscape. The rhythms occasionally evoke a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of the early works of Azymuth, with their signature blend of Brazilian funk and jazz.
Finn Rees — Dawn Is A Melody
Finn Rees offers an album teeming with rich sound, showcasing talents like Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, Audrey Powne on trumpet, and Allysha Joy on vocals. They all shine both individually and as a cohesive band. Rees delivers exceptional piano playing throughout, while Lucky Pereira and Blakely McLean Davies form a rock-solid rhythm section, creating an album that reveals new layers with every listen. The celestial ‘Looking Up’ contrasts with more cinematic gems like ‘It’s Behind Me Now’ or the Brazilian-inspired ‘Expansion. The intimate tracks “Ablaze,” “Between Spaces,” and “As It Passes” showcase a different side to his music. Alice Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Arthur Verocai are some of the influences Rees draws from for inspiration. The result, however, is an album entirely the creators’ own.
Domenico Lancellotti and Ricardo Dias Gomes – Remixes
“Remixes” by Domenico Lancellotti and Ricardo Dias Gomes shows what a powerful partnership between two prominent musicians produces. Over the past two decades, Domenico and Ricardo have been two of the most influential artists in Brazilian music. Each remixed track offers a unique interpretation and feel owing to the eccentric approach of Lancellotti and Gomes to songwriting and instrumentation. The whole album emerged out of the noodling session between the two artists. Amidst the intricate layers and textures, samba dictates the album’s course. The tracks ‘Erê, ‘Flux’ and ‘Não Ver Onde Se Vê’ encapsulate what the album was intended to be.
Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin – Ghosted II
“Ghosted II” is the second instalment of this guitar-bass-drums trio’s debut album. This trio is Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werliin, who have played together for three years. They are known for their monstrously hypnotic improvisations, and “Ghosted II” undoubtedly features the unique traits of this trio. Sustained tension and deep atmosphere are two defining characteristics of this album. Each of the tracks develops and evolves in unpredictable and surprising ways. It delves into the deepest layers of their experimentation without sacrificing the core of their collaboration as a trio. The lead single, “Tre”, captures the crux of this telepathic communication among the musicians.
