This week’s guide is by contributors Irfan Ayaan and Imran Mirza.
We’re back to 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 under-the-radar releases that deserve your attention. From Malian roots, otherworldly soundscapes, electronic jazz improvisations and more we’re here to showcase the music that might have slipped through the cracks of the mainstream. If our musical picks pique your interest, show some love to the artists and labels by hitting that buy or share button. Happy listening music lovers!
Albums
Annarella and Django – Jouer
Jouer is a mesmerising debut that weaves together the musical threads of West Africa and Scandinavia, creating a tapestry of sound that defies geographical boundaries. Swedish jazz flautist Annarella Sörlin and Malian ngoni virtuoso Django Diabaté first crossed paths during a European tour with Wau Wau Collectif, instantly recognising the unique potential in their instrumental pairing. The album’s eleven tracks showcase an inventive fusion of Sörlin’s ethereal flute work and Diabaté’s hypnotic ngoni playing. This core duo is augmented by an impressive cast of guest musicians, including the versatile Ale Möller on various instruments and Marietou Kouyaté lending her vocals to several tracks. Standout pieces include Aduna ak Asaman, where Möller’s shawm adds a haunting texture, and Degrees of Freedom, a five-minute journey that exemplifies the album’s cross-cultural exploration. The production, helmed by Sörlin and co-produced by Karl Jonas Winqvist, deftly balances intimacy with expansive soundscapes. Jouer is a triumph of musical collaboration, bridging continents and traditions with grace and innovation. – IA
Flock – Flock II
Flock’s second album, Flock II, soars to new heights, crafted in the mystical Welsh countryside. This London jazz group, featuring luminaries Bex Burch, Sarathy Korwar, Tamar Osborn, Al MacSween and Danalogue, pushes boundaries with an immersive approach to composition. The quintet’s evolution is palpable, moving from their single-day debut to a week-long creative odyssey. Studio Owz, a converted church, provided the perfect acoustics and atmosphere for their experimental process. Unconventional techniques, including strobe lights and revolving lamps, sparked fresh inspiration and moods. Flock II blends minimalism and jazz fusion, creating an intense, hypnotic soundscape. Standout tracks like Turned Skyward and Large Magellanic Cloud showcase the group’s collective spirit and individual virtuosity. The album’s ethereal quality invites listeners on a personal journey through its nebulous terrain. Muhammad Rofi Fatchurofi’s cover art perfectly complements the music’s intangible nature. This latest effort cements Flock’s position at the vanguard of genre-fluid jazz, demonstrating their ability to craft unique, boundary-pushing compositions. Flock II is an album that challenges and rewards in equal measure.- IA
Edrix Puzzle – Lotus Blossom
Edrix Puzzle’s Lotus Blossom is a cosmic journey that defies earthly musical boundaries. This adventurous ensemble continues to push the envelope of psychedelic jazz, blending acoustic and electronic elements with fearless abandon. Drawing inspiration from a diverse pantheon of musical innovators – from Zappa and Sun Ra to Mahavishnu Orchestra and electric-era Herbie Hancock – Edrix Puzzle crafts a sound that is both familiar and alien. The album’s seven tracks create an otherworldly soundscape where the warmth of Steinway grand piano and double bass intertwines with the futuristic sheen of Syncussion synths and acid-tinged 303 bursts. Standout track Hercules showcases the band’s ability to sustain intrigue over an extended composition, its 10-minute runtime feeling like a brief glimpse into an alternate dimension. The title track epitomises their unique fusion, with melodic woodwinds dancing atop a bed of syncopated rhythms and electronic textures. Lotus Blossom is a testament to Edrix Puzzle’s evolving artistry, allowing listeners to expand their musical horizons. – IA
The Cosmic Tones Research Trio – In All Is Sound
In All Is Sound by The Cosmic Tones Research Trio is a mesmerising journey into healing music infused with gospel, blues, and spiritual jazz. This Portland-based ensemble, comprising Roman Norfleet, Harlan Silverman, and Kennedy Verrett, crafts a sonic tapestry that’s refreshing and sonically rich. The trio, formed around Norfleet’s alto sax, Silverman’s cello, and Verrett’s piano, draws from diverse influences, including acoustic ecology and sound meditation. Their expertise creates immersive soundscapes that are sincere and profound. Standout tracks like Creation and Peace Prayer showcase the group’s ability to weave delicate melodies into expansive sonic landscapes. The album’s centrepiece, Nada Brahma, exemplifies their mastery of blending traditional jazz elements with meditative atmospheres. Following in the footsteps of spiritual jazz pioneers like Sun Ra and Alice Coltrane, The Cosmic Tones Research Trio breaks new ground while honouring their roots. In All Is Sound is a testament to music’s healing power, allowing listeners to engage with carefully crafted compositions that soothe the soul and elevate the spirit. This album is both exciting and meditative. Look no further if you are seeking a transcendent jazz experience that touches the essence of being. – IA
Myra Brownbridge – The Voyage Out
“I’ve been told that my music tells a story, but I don’t know the story.” These are the words of celebrated French composer Tristan Murail, who may very well have been displaying a level of humility in responding to assessments of his music, or perhaps that just isn’t a hat that Murail knowingly wore in this regard. Myra Brownbridge, however, would serve as the definition of an artist whose music displays the unique gifts of a quintessential storyteller. Every sublime thing about Brownbridge’s debut album, ‘The Voyage Out’, paints the incredibly compelling and engaging perspective of an artist considering each composition – and subsequently the album as a whole – as a reflection and embodiment of the key moments, relationships and life experiences that have ultimately brought her to its creation. ‘The Voyage Out’ is an incredibly accomplished debut release – a piece of work that presents such a succinct depiction of Myra Brownbridge as an artist who is fully aware of her story and equipped with every skill imaginable when it comes to sharing it with others. -IM
Chiminyo – NRG 3
As enthusiastically announced by NRG mega-mind Tim “Chiminyo” Doyle back in April 2023’s inaugural NRG release, the concept for the series was to amass a selection of collaborators for a wholly improvised performance with each session being made available for digital and vinyl purchases. Renowned for continually pushing musical boundaries, Doyle’s NRG series is the perfect project to showcase his boundless scope and ambition when regarding his own musical adventures. Alongside Doyle on drums, the core quartet is comprised of Maria Chiara Argirò on keyboards, Pouya Ehsaei on modular synths and Sam Warner on trumpet; each incredibly talented artists in their own right, boasting a wealth of experience and displaying the boundless talents to help generate phenomenally diverse compositions, even under such compelling improvisational conditions. Certainly within these Chiminyo live sets, much of the band’s aesthetic is as much devoted to club culture as it is to the iconic jazz works of the genre’s forefathers and with Doyle in the director’s chair, the visionary musician has become adept at creating and nurturing inspired sonic soundscapes that effortlessly straddle each musical realm. – IM
