This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributor Irfan Ayaan.
Hello and welcome to our final Between the Cracks of 2024. Six releases that you really need to hear. We have everything from Ethio jazz, afrobeat, ambient, electronica and more. Dive into our latest selection, and if something tickles your eardrums, follow the buy link to make it yours! Enjoy the music, and have a great weekend!
Albums
Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – Tension
Ethiojazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke joins forces with Tel Aviv’s Afro-funk powerhouse Hoodna Orchestra on Tension, a vibrant fusion of Astatke’s signature vibraphone and Hoodna’s brassy grooves. This collaboration marks a late-career highlight for Astatke, whose influential Ethio-jazz sound has captivated audiences worldwide since the 1960s. The album’s seven original compositions pay homage to Astatke’s classic style while blazing new trails. Produced by Dap-King Neal Sugarman, Tension delivers a raw, soulful, and exhilarating sonic experience. The title track sets the tone, propelling Astatke’s familiar sound into rhythmically intense territory, showcasing the seamless blend of his enchanting vibraphone with Hoodna’s dynamic brass section. Standout tracks include Major, which swings effortlessly and features a superb organ solo by Eitan Drabkin, and Delilah, a Latin-jazz-tinged groove that pays tribute to Astatke’s early influences. The latter showcases seductive flute work by Eylon Tushiner and an enchanting solo from Astatke himself. Tension is a triumphant meeting of musical minds, charting new directions in Ethio-jazz while honouring its roots. This essential addition to Astatke’s rich discography proves that even in his later years, the master continues to innovate and inspire. – IA
The Last Poets and Tony Allen Ft Egypt 80 – Africanism
Africanism marks a stunning return for The Last Poets, the revolutionary spoken word collective that laid the groundwork for hip-hop. Teaming up with Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and members of Egypt 80, this album breathes new life into their iconic works. Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan revisit classic pieces like When The Revolution Comes and Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution, their fiery delivery undiminished by time. The fusion of their razor-sharp poetry with Allen’s hypnotic rhythms creates a potent, genre-defying soundscape. Standout tracks include This Is Madness, where Hassan’s feverish imagery rides atop Allen’s ferocious drumming, and Two Little Boys, a poignant commentary on urban poverty that remains painfully relevant. The addition of UK jazz luminaries like Courtney Pine adds depth and texture to the already rich sonic palette. Africanism is more than a nostalgic trip; it’s a vital reimagining of The Last Poets’ legacy. By marrying their revolutionary verse with Afrobeat grooves and progressive jazz, they’ve created an album that speaks powerfully to our times. Essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of poetry, politics, and cutting-edge music. -IA
Inge Weatherhead Breistein – Rust
Inge Weatherhead Breistein’s Rust is where ambient soundscapes meet saxophone and electronic wizardry. This Norwegian saxophonist and composer crafts a sonic melange that pushes the boundaries of traditional jazz, venturing into experimental territory. The album’s six tracks blend Breistein’s expressive saxophone with processed field recordings, analog noise, and synth voices, creating an immersive and expansive listening experience. His nuanced approach maintains a strong sense of musicality while exploring atmospheric textures. Becoming Air, the album’s opener, sets the tone with its sprawling 8-minute runtime, allowing listeners to sink into Breistein’s meticulously crafted world. The title track, Rust, showcases his ability to balance restraint and power, letting the saxophone breathe life into the electronic landscape. Throughout Rust, Breistein demonstrates a masterful control of space and time, anchoring listeners in the present while simultaneously transporting them to otherworldly realms. His compositions invite personal interpretation, whether as a meditative backdrop or a catalyst for renewed perception of one’s surroundings. Rust is a triumph of ambient jazz, offering a fresh perspective on the saxophone’s role in electronic music. – IA
Jeff Parker, ETA IVtet – The Way Out of Easy
In their first bout of new music since 2022’s critically celebrated Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy, Jeff Parker and his ETA IVtet find themselves exploring the depths of improvised jazz grooves on The Way Out of Easy. It features long-time members Anna Butterss on upright bass, Josh Johnson on saxophone, and Jay Bellerose; the selections are honed and focused to bring the atmosphere of one specific night’s setlist. The delight of the space (now sadly defunct) helped Parker build a beautifully multi-textured, gently shifting four-dimensional construction out of simple ideas. This album is impressive. Each track brings something new, and the execution is simply remarkable. – CFS
Patricia Brennan – Breaking Stretch
This brilliant album may have passed me if it weren’t for the good old end-of-year lists. Patricia Brennan, the thrilling vibraphonist renowned for her work with Vijay Iyer, Mary Halvorson, Anna Webber, and Michael Formanek, released her third album in September, and it’s an absolute masterpiece! Her reputation for expanding the boundaries of jazz and improvisational music is well-deserved, as each track provides a distinctive adventure that is joyously dynamic and intensely beautiful. This album is a thrilling journey with surprises lurking at every turn—a magnificent exploration indeed. Brennan is joined by saxophonists Jon Irabagon and Mark Shim, trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, drummer Marcus Gilmore, percussionist Mauricio Herrera, and bassist Kim Cass on this record. – CFS
EP
Seodophy – Ablutio
Seodophy’s Ablutio EP is a mesmerizing journey through the alchemical process, rendered in sound. Lithuanian bassist and producer Teodoras Balciauskis crafts a unique sonic landscape that blends post-rock, jazz, and electronica across four transformative tracks. Mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Eric Lau, the EP’s sound is both expansive and intimate. Balciauskis, a recent UK graduate now based in Vilnius, demonstrates remarkable maturity in his compositions. The music evolves from darkness to light, mirroring the alchemical stages, as traditional structures dissolve and reform. Standout track Dark Nebula sets the tone with haunting bass motifs and elegant flute lines, creating a beguiling portrait of sonic depth. Solar Dawn bursts forth with intricate melodies and vast percussive soundscapes, featuring an uplifting guitar solo by Waxamilion and Yami Maho’s glistening drum work. Ablutio is a stunningly cinematic listen, showcasing Balciauskis’ ability to weave complex musical narratives. This impressive debut marks Seodophy as a talented newcomer with a unique voice in the contemporary jazz-fusion landscape. For listeners seeking an immersive, genre-defying experience, Ablutio offers a captivating journey through sound and transformation. – IA
