This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributors Imran Mirza, Words By Shoaib and Irfan Ayaan.
Each week at Twistedsoul, we showcase the finest new releases from across the globe. We scour Between The Cracks to bring you new albums that might may have flown under your radar. This week, we’re highlighting new albums from Sol Monk, Okonski, Jeong Lim Yang, 6161, Secondo and more. Lend an ear to the music, and if it strikes a chord, show some love to the artists and labels by supporting them.
Albums
6161 – 6161
Matt Stockham Brown’s self-titled debut as 6161 arrives as a stunning revelation from the acclaimed drummer. After building his reputation with Run Logan Run and collaborating with artists from Massive Attack to Gregory Porter, Brown confidently enters the spotlight with his own vision. This album weaves a mesmerising sonic tapestry where grief and transformation find expression through kaleidoscopic jazz structures. Brown’s masterful drumming forms the backbone of compositions that effortlessly blend acoustic warmth with electronic textures, all elevated by a stellar brass section that includes Pete Judge on trumpet and a trio of distinctive saxophonists. Standout tracks Sneakanon (presented in two parts) and For Felix showcase Brown’s gift for building emotional narratives through rhythm, allowing moments of contemplative beauty to erupt into exhilarating crescendos. The two-part Surge is another undeniable highlight. Part one pairs delicate drum rhythms with roaming saxophone melodies, gradually building tension until they seamlessly transition into part two, where an explosion of powerful drumming maintains an unrelenting intensity. Do yourself a favour and check it out now! – IA
Secondo – Over Moon
A new album from Secondo is always worth investigating. His latest offering, Over Under, brilliantly bridges functional club rhythms with avant-garde electronic experimentation. This marks a pivotal moment in Radovan Scasascia’s two-decade career, skillfully reconnecting with his ’90s roots while pushing boldly forward. The album unfolds like a carefully orchestrated narrative, beginning with the ambient kosmische waves of Occhi Nuovi before traversing diverse sonic landscapes. Secondo demonstrates remarkable versatility, shifting effortlessly between tempos and moods. Unlikely Companions stands out with its alien funk sensibilities, while Solar Funk serves as the album’s standout, delivering modulating jazz textures that showcase Scasascia’s sophisticated compositional approach. The journey concludes with the tense, gripping Nowhere Man, bringing the listening experience full circle. Secondo maintains a delicate balance between dancefloor functionality and headphone introspection, creating simultaneously familiar and otherworldly spaces. Over Under isn’t just an album; it’s a masterclass in electronic storytelling that demands repeated listening. – IA
Amir ElSaffar & Lorenzo Bianchi Hoesch – Inner Spaces
The album Inner Spaces by Amir ElSaffar and Lorenzo Bianchi Hoesch explores Middle Eastern Maqam and jazz improvisation with electronics for a profoundly engaging encounter. The musical union between trumpeter, santur player, and vocalist ElSaffar with sound artist Hoesch creates a sonic experience that bridges historical Middle Eastern sounds with cutting-edge electronics. The album pulses with a sense of movement and exploration. ElSaffar performs trumpets and santur with instrumental fluidity, maintaining true Maqam microtones as Hoesch processes these musical elements into the dynamic electronic fabric. Meditative qualities within the music gain additional depth when vocals appear and disappear, creating emotional and spiritual effects. Tracks like ‘River’ and ‘Spirits’ represent this synthesis, guiding listeners through evolving landscapes where tradition meets innovation. Inner Spaces communicates its message through the formidable space where acoustic and digital music meets traditional and contemporary styles. Highly recommended to adventurous listeners. – WBS
Jeong Lim Yang – Synchronicity
Carl Jung defined synchronicity as “the coming together of inner and outer events in a way that cannot be explained by cause and effect and that is meaningful to the observer.” As Yang puts it, “Serendipitously, things happen. Bassist Jeong Lim Yang, violist Mat Maneri, pianist Jacob Sacks, and drummer Randy Peterson certainly make things happen across ten tracks on the bassist’s new album. The music here dances through wildly unpredictable rhythms and off-kilter structures, turning at unexpected moments with surprising twists and delightful quirks. It’s as if the notes have their own minds, refusing to adhere to any conventional structure yet managing somehow to maintain a delightful chaos. Amidst this unpredictability, however, tranquillity is another layer that gently envelops the listener. Check out the serene ‘Morning Glory’ and contrast that with the frenzied ebb and flow of ‘Salad For Lunch’ or the title track, and you’ll get the idea. – CFS
Sol Monk – New Moves
Sol Monk returns with his vibrant musical fusion New Moves, combining dance elements with future jazz and house music. Joining Monk is Dor Sam on bass and Tamuz Dekel on guitar, resulting in shifting sound dimensions that will get your freak on. The opening track, ‘She Said,‘ brings Yoshi Higuchi’s passionate vocals, which establishes the powerful atmosphere of the album. The trio creates remarkable sound combinations through intricate rhythms and melodic improvisation on songs like ‘I Brought Some Charts’ and the title track. The album receives a rich, emotive element through ‘Arrows’, with site fave KerenDun ethereal tones. Through his smooth combination of different musical genres, Monk created an innovative album that established itself as cohesive and boundary-pushing. The album creates new dimensions through active rhythms that let listeners flow emotionally. At the same time, they move to its evolving melodies. Sol Monk doesn’t have much social media footprint, so he’s letting his music do the talking. And why bother with the noise when the tunes are this good? – CFS
Okonski – Entrance Music
With Entrance Music, Okonski has developed improvisational techniques, which result in free-flowing soundscapes that provide listeners with deep contemplation. Nearly two years after their debut, the trio releases an album that enables spontaneous play, allowing melodies to grow naturally through the music and rhythms to expand organically. The music maintains a timeless presence by dwelling in the present moment through unfettered connections between self and music instead of conventional forms. The piano pieces by Okonski function as the musical core of the album while simultaneously leading the ensemble through peaceful, empty passages and passionate, dramatic moments. The boundless connection between piano, bass, and drums in their performance creates an expressive musical fabric that grounds the rhythm while it sets it free. The trio’s meditative performance style directs listeners to experience tranquil patterns and develop harmonies. Tracks like ‘October’ and ‘Vista’ represent this approach, with gentle interplay and evolving motifs that draw the listener into a deep state. Okonski establishes Through Entrance Music that spontaneous musical performance can produce extensive and close connections between musicians and listeners. The album achieves a distinctive quality that maintains structure, interest, and organic, unforced quality. The musical dialogue between artists reveals itself as something more powerful when they show restraint and play their music with complete honesty. – WBS
Emma Rawicz & Gwilym Simcock – Big Visit
ACT are no stranger to the art of the duo album. Having paired together some phenomenal talents for projects over the years – including Bill Laurance & Michael League (‘Keeping Company’), Johanna Summer & Jakob Manz (‘Cameo’), Jan Lundgren & Yamandu (‘Inner Spirits’) – the German label keeps their winning streak going for the pairing of pianist Gwilym Simcock alongside saxophonist Emma Rawicz for ‘Big Visit’. With the incredible distinction of releasing her third full-length album since 2022, Rawicz has proved something of an overnight sensation, further boasting collaborations with Boreal Sun, Maria Grapsa Sextet and The Royal Academy Of Music Jazz Orchestra as well as scoring a clutch of awards and accolades that see her star continue to rise at an extraordinary rate. With roots within jazz as well as classical music, pianist Simcock has reached insurmountable heights during his lengthy career. Whether the project finds him as one-half of a duo or as a key component of a big band ensemble, Simcock’s indelible musical contributions have reached far and wide finding him having graced stages across the world alongside Pat Metheny, Linda Oh, Bobby McFerrin, Kenny Wheeler, amongst many others. There’s a nice divide over the album’s six tracks, with two compositions each penned by Rawicz and Simcock, which feature snugly beside an exquisite take on ‘Visions’ by Stevie Wonder and Carl Fischer and Bill Carey’s ‘You’ve Changed’, which was famously popularised by Billie Holiday. As spirited as it is sublime, ‘Big Visit’ already delivers as a true standout amongst each artist’s catalogue. – IM
