This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributor Irfan Ayaan.
Happy Friday, everyone! The week is wrapping up, so it’s time to bring you a new Between The Cracks feature. This is your weekly go-to spot for discovering new releases and hidden delights that might have slipped under the radar. We have everything from, spiritual jazz, prog jazz-rock, dream pop ambience, post-punk, leftfield folk and more. Dive into our latest selection, and if something tickles your eardrums, follow the buy link to make it yours! Enjoy the music.
Albums
Muriel Grossmann – The Light Of The Mind
“The Light Of The Mind” by Muriel Grossmann might sound like a mystical guidebook for your meditation practices, but of course—it’s something much jazzier. The saxophonist and composer is known for her evocative blend of spiritual jazz, and her musicianship is on full display in this album. Expect rich, harmonic textures, deep grooves, and soulful improvisations that invite listeners on a reflective journey. With six stunning compositions, Grossmann explores the transcendent power of music, proving once again that a good melody can speak louder than words. Let your mind be your guide, sit back, relax, and let the light in! – CFS
Sam Gendel, Benny Bock, Hans Kjorstad – Dream Trio
What makes Sam Gendel one of the most intriguing artists around is that you never quite know what his new music will sound like. On Dream Trio, he collaborates with the diverse talents of Benny Bock and Hans Kjorstad. Each artist contributes their unique musical perspectives to create a genuinely innovative soundscape. Gendel, known for his experimental approach to wind instruments, joins forces with Bock’s synth wizardry and Kjorstad’s microtonal violin explorations. The result is a captivating blend of jazz, electronic, and avant-garde elements that pushes the boundaries of contemporary music. The album’s ethereal atmosphere is established from the opening track, Angel’s Egg, and maintained throughout. Tracks like Ten Dreams showcase the trio’s ability to weave intricate sonic tapestries, with Gendel’s wind controller and soprano saxophone intertwining seamlessly with Bock’s udo synthesiser and Kjorstad’s violin. I See Signs Everywhere is a highlight, demonstrating the group’s mastery of tension and release. The interplay between the three musicians creates a hypnotic, almost trance-like state that captivates the listener. Recorded in Japan, Dream Trio is a bold, experimental work that challenges conventional notions of jazz and electronic music. – IA
Gosha Martynov & Natasha Sinyakova – Imena Rek
Imena Rek marks a triumphant return of one of our fave labels, Growing Bin, showcasing the collaborative talents of electronic artists Gosha Martynov and Natasha Sinyakova. This debut physical release expands on their earlier spectral ambience, blending chilled-out breaks with dream pop and jazz influences. The duo crafts a sonic landscape that’s both innovative and accessible. Their sound palette draws from diverse sources, including Cocteau Twins-esque vocals, organic jazz elements, and echoes of Cafe Del Mar’s laid-back cool. Standout tracks include the opener, Pozhaluysta, which seduces with clever syncopation and beguiling melodies, and the title track, Imena Rek. This hypnagogic anthem channels post-rave bliss into contemporary IDM territory. Imena Rek feels simultaneously rooted in downbeat traditions and forward-thinking in its approach. It’s a cohesive work that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers with each spin. – IA
Reissues
Gilgamesh – Another Fine Tune You’ve Got Me Into
Lift the lid on your turntables and grab your headphones because the musical time machine will transport you back to 1978! Gilgamesh’s acclaimed opus finally reissued on vinyl, is a treasure trove waiting for true connoisseurs of jazzy prog rock. “Another Fine Tune You’ve Got Me Into” whisks listeners away on a rich musical adventure, sweeping from the intricate subtleties of ‘Darker Brighter’ to the grand, emotive swells of ‘Bobberty – Theme From Something Else,’ and culminating in the acoustic splendour of, ‘Waiting’. Call it prog jazz-rock or Canterbury jazz —whatever label you fancy. What matters is that this album is so good you absolutely need to hear it! – CFS
Daevid Allen – Now Is The Happiest Time Of Your Life
Seminal release from Daevid Allen – a timeless album that blended his countercultural message with tranquil and organic sounds that evoke the best of his work with Gong. Combining a meditative vibe with tabla, harp, and Allen’s signature glissando guitar washes all over you in such a way that it is impossible not to love. The album “Now Is The Happiest Time Of Your Life” was released way back in 1977, and it still sounds as fresh as a daisy today. – CFS
EP’s
MATTERS UNKNOWN – Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal
Jonathan Enser’s Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal is a poignant and ambitious exploration of disability, decolonial thought, and artistic expression. The Nubiyan Twist trumpeter crafts an intensely personal yet universally resonant EP that merges his struggles with chronic pain into a broader narrative on resilience and liberation. Drawing from a rich palette of African diasporic influences, improvisation, and experimental sounds, Enser creates a multi-layered sonic experience that challenges societal limitations. The EP’s standout track, I am the Birds, featuring Onipa, showcases Enser’s ability to fuse traditional and contemporary elements into a compelling musical statement. Collaborations with artists like Flavio Correa and NEONE the Wonderer add depth and diversity to the project, each track reflecting themes of confinement and liberation. Enser’s expertise, honed through work with icons like Nile Rodgers and Mulatu Astatke, shines throughout. Silhouettes serve as a spiritual journal and a call to action, urging listeners to reshape the future through creativity and solidarity. While deeply rooted in jazz, the EP transcends genre boundaries, offering a transformative listening experience that is as thought-provoking as it is musically engaging. – IA
Unknown To Known – Portico – Part ii
We’ve been following the improvisational endeavours of Unknown To Known from the start. With each release, they continue to surprise and delight, demonstrating an impressive evolution in their artistry and a knack for pushing the boundaries of jazz. After the brilliant “Lightship”, the quartet created two more edits from their first 2021 encounter at the Portico Gallery. Relax and savour a couple of highlights from the long-form improv sessions that unfolded at the mystical Portico Gallery in South London. – CFS
Minor Conflict – Parallels EP
Minor Conflict’s Parallels EP is a fascinating collision of jazz instrumentation and post-punk energy, showcasing the Bristol group’s evolving sound. The trio, comprising Natalie Whiteland (harp/ vocals), Josh Smyth (bass/vocals) and Robbie Warin (trumpet/synths/percussion), has quickly built on the promise of their 2023 debut with a more expansive and adventurous follow-up. The EP’s seven tracks blend angular rhythms, call-and-response vocals, and lush classical textures into a unique sonic tapestry. Standout track Margate Sands exemplifies their artful approach, weaving poetic lyrics with dynamic instrumental interplay. The three-part title suite Parallels demonstrates the group’s compositional ambition, exploring themes of urban life and human connection through a series of interconnected musical vignettes. The trio’s sound sits comfortably between leftfield folk, avant-garde jazz, and experimental post-punk, never feeling forced. Their unconventional instrumentation, particularly Whiteland’s harp, adds a distinctive flavour to their forward-thinking arrangements. Well worth checking out this weekend! – IA
