Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band - "What Can You Bring Me?" (2:45)
Review: You just cannot miss with this superb label which is now up to release number 33 in this series. And the latest is a golden-era classic featuring legendary mic men A Tribe Called Quest and top soul boy Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band. The A-side features the track taken from A Tribe Called Quest's Love Movement album so is packed with their signature beats and bars. On the B-side, you are treated to the funky original sample source from Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band which delivers a raw, infectious groove. If you love classic hip hop and funk, and why wouldn't you, this is a great pairing.
Let's Invade The Amazon (Yoruba Soul remix) (6:19)
Let's Invade The Amazon (JKriv remix) (6:33)
Review: Legend of the Madrid scene Casbah 73 is back with a new one for Kraak & Smaak's Boogie Angst here, featuring four new sweltering tracks. The message of environmental politics on 'Let's Invade The Amazon' sung by Hawaii by-way-of Texas' Tonya Wilcox is backed by a low slung disco arrangement, followed by the late night boogie-down instrumental 'Pale Splash Of Blue'. Over on the flip, remixes come from some right legends of the scene; Yoruba Soul takes the track deeper as expected, while Razor N Tape main man JKriv goes for a tropical vibe.
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny instrumental remix) (4:29)
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny remix) (4:00)
Sono Come Sono (Whodamanny extended instrumental remix) (6:26)
Review: Internationally acclaimed Italian singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Chiara Civello unveils a new single, 'Sono Come Sono', blending a mixture of Neapolitan funk and club-infused rawness into four mixes. With the title roughly translating to 'it is what it is', the tune is a true, happy reflection on all things being immutable, and struggle being ultimately futile. Party on!
Elegua (feat Jose Cochise Claussell Of Rebel Tumbao) (3:45)
Makussa Part Three (Afrikan Basement extended demo mix) (9:14)
Diyi Mayo (live Jam extended mix) (9:32)
Afrofunkjazz (extended demo mix) (8:36)
Review: Edit king and remix master Joaquin Joe Claussell's 'Ancestral Food & Healing Medicine' 12" first dropped in 2020 and became another one of his instant classics. It found him taking things to an all-new level with the reuses all best heard on loud systems when it is impossible not to be enraptured by a religious experience of gel and soul-infused sound. The therapeutic grooves heal you to your core with their uplifting synths and meaningful messages. For that reason, an original copy has become rather experience but fear not as this new reissue allows you to cop these sounds in nice new red wax.
Review: There is plenty of old school favour, hip-hop influence and West Coast cool to these two tunes from Coast2Coast on their own label. 'Wos' is first up and has minimal grooves with languid guitar melodies worming their way through the beats under subtle scratches and tight raps. On the flip it's 'Am' which picks up the pace and races ahead on skating beats, deft percussion and with more of those intoxicating raps up top. It's a unique mix that will make a great impact. As always with this outfit, this is an intriguing blend of charm and character.
Review: When Toronto-based and ever versatile label Do Right! released 'Required Listening' - a raw, diverse and stunning compilation of sounds by artists from Toronto
- critics and music lovers around the globe took notice. 'Required Listening Volume 2' promises to keep up that standard of quality by featuring fresh tracks from
the West Coast, to the East Coast, with some stops in between. Vancouver's Cobblestone Jazz, a band comprised of world-renowned techno producer Mathew
Johnson, programmer Tyger Dhula and keyboardist Danuel Dante who are known for their hype live shows and their jazzy, minimal techno sound heard on the
track 'Creator'. Johnson's own tracks have received critical acclaim and have been caned by Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin and Tiga. Cobblestone Jazz have
been steadily creating a buzz around Europe, and were recently featured on Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 1. Also representing the West Coast is 8-member band
1 Luv along with vocalists Amaila Townsend, Deanna Teeple and Dawn Pemberton. Their groovy, soulful, jazzy house track 'Starz' explains why this band was
discovered by uber-crew Jazzanova and was featured on their 'Secret Love 2 Folk' compilation and how their music has been finding its way into the crates of
people like Phil Asher, Osunlade and Benji B. 'Starz' is taken from 1 Luv's debut album 'Neophilia' on Sonar Kollektiv.
Bembe Segue - "Mother Of The Future" (live version)
Review: Serious jazz dance fusion from 1974, Norman Connors' cover of Carlos Garnett's "Mother Of The Future" drives with shamanistic fury before the firing keys, heaving horns and deep soul vocals fly into the mix. For a more contemporary jazz take, flip for Bembe Segue's emphatic live version. Lavished with her distinctively rich vocals and stern spoken word and complete with wild bass runs and a thick bed of percussion, it's an instant show-stopper. Two incredible covers, one special 10".
Review: Costantino Luca Rolando Kiriakos, an influential figure in Athens' electronic scene since the 80s, showcased his diverse talents as a composer, sound engineer, and installation artist under his Coti K. alias on this EP from back in 1994. The five tracks he offered up all explore Balearic-ambient bliss-scapes and now get reissued on Dark Entries complete with their smooth breaks, cosmic pads, and lush pianos. Reflecting his Hellenic roots, track titles like 'Argonauts' and 'Theros' bring global ambient vibes and spoken word by Konstantinos Bhta and cello by Nikos Veliotis all help add their magic to this nostalgic journey with a Mediterranean twist.
Review: The Cromagnon Band introduces 'Bad Night' as the lead single from their upcoming album Mode, which marks their second LP and debut on BBE Music. The album blends cinematic, psychedelic dark funk with Nordic psych-jazz, classical, boom-bap hip-hop breaks, and riff-heavy rock. Accompanied by the exclusive track 'Quadrant,' not featured on the album, the vinyl 45 release adds a unique gem to collectors' shelves. Both tracks provide a glimpse into the band's forthcoming album, showcasing their eclectic musical influences and distinctive recording style-capturing live jam sessions that evolve from sampled breaks, riffs, and melodies into intricate instrumental compositions.
Review: The artwork for this new 12" from the System 108 label is eccentric enough to make you want to check out the music even if you don't know the artists. It's the sort of cover that suggests the music will be left of centre and quirky and that it is. 'Sao Januario' is a deep and lazy groove with sunny chords and jazzy keys that take you to the global south. 'Sunny Villa On A Distant Planet' is a twisted disco cut with house leaning drums and big cowbells under intergalactic synth lines. 'Rolando Nascer Do Sol' then rides a crisp electro breakout to keep you on your toes and 'OWL WCS' slows down for a cuddly back-to-mine style closer.
Review: More gold from the always in the know and on point 5 Boroughs label. Again here it digs into the vast annals of hip-hop history to come up with some still relevant gems in the form of Rakim and DJ Premier's staple 'It's Been a Long Time.' It is a classic boom-bap joint with lush strings and horns, some old-school scratching and cool bars. As walls, the label serves it up alongside the original sample source on the flip which is Cecil Holmes's languid soul slow burner 'Call Me, Come Back Home'. These plays shift in quick time so do not snooze if you want a slice.
Review: Random Rap Records offshoot Dinked 45 has hit gold with 'Happy (Hammond)', the first single in seven years from Chris Read and keyboardist Rob Barron's occasional So Much Soul Players project. As the title suggests, it's a cheeky and cheery Hammond funk reinvention of Pharrell Williams' classic which features Barron playing the famous melody - alongside a few wild solos - atop a sweaty, bass-heavy, breakbeat-driven dancefloor groove. It's a simple idea brilliantly executed all told and a guaranteed party-starter to boot. Over on the flip you'll find a slightly tougher, shorter 'Instrimental Mix' that cuts down the use of the melody in favour of elongated Hammond chords and more prominent beats, as well as a short 'Bonus Beats' drum track for DJs who like to get busy in the mix.
Review: Jimi Tenor's collaboration with Cold Diamond and Mink on Is There Love In Outer Space produced an exceptional album of jazz, soul and broken beat that served as a portal to another universe. It landed earlier in the year and now two standout tracks from it are featured on a special limited edition yellow 7". The title track enchants with its cosmic balladry, while 'Orbiting Telesto' offers a delightful cosmic voyage with celestial keys and soulful vocal touches. This music transports listeners beyond the confines of Earth and up amongst the stars with its escapist melodies and smooth grooves.
Review: Jimi Tenor's first single from his upcoming new Timmion album Is There Love In Outer Space? evokes the 1980s cosmic sound of Nigerian keyboardist Mamman Sani. The psychedelic desert blues guitar solo transports listeners to a cold Sahara dune where you witness a magical sunrise on Earth. It encourages you to close your eyes and let the music paint vivid colourscapes in your mind as the minimal vocals feel like a welcoming chant for the rising sun. This collaboration between Tenor and Cold Diamond & Mink is another delight that melds cosmic and raw soul music and very much gets us excited for the full length to come.
Review: Jimi Tenor's upcoming album July Blue Skies on Timmion Records is previewed with this single which offers two contrasting moods. 'Summer of Synesthesia' captures dreamy summer vibes and sounds that transform into rich colours and flavours. The track features building synths over Cold Diamond & Mink's rhythm with Tenor's soft vocals adding beauty. On the flip side, 'Tsicroxe' begins with a haunting organ arpeggio evoking a Dario Argento-inspired atmosphere. Cold Diamond & Mink's funk provides relief, but Tenor's eerie flute solo intensifies the ritualistic vibe.
Review: Brazilian jazz trio Caixa Cubo are one of the modern scene's most acclaimed outfits. Their latest album arrives in Europe via Heavenly Recordings and it has a sound to match. Made up of Henrique Gomide on keys, Joao Fideles on drums and Noa Stroeter on bass, the group has been awarded scholarships to study at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, Netherlands so spends plenty of time over in Europe as well as back home. Thankfully though, they embrace the rich musical traditions of their home land and fuse elements of Azymuth with darker moods with new school greats like Yussef Kamael to make for a record full of both highs and lows, intense grooves and more laidback tunes.
Review: Since emerging in their home country a decade ago, Caixa Cubo have flitted between labels (most notably Heavenly Recordings and Jazz 'N' Milk) while establishing trademark sound that expands on the jazz-funk-meets-samba-jazz template created by fellow countrymen Azymuth (like that band, they're a trio based around drums, bass and organ/electric piano). Unsurprisingly, they've now found a home on Joe Davis's Brazil-focused Far Out Recordings, a stable that has done much to champion Azymuth in the UK. Modo Avia (air mode) is typically warm, breezy and gently tropical, fusing killer grooves and infectious, off-kilter rhythms with brilliant solos, infectious riffs and far-sighted musical flourishes. It feels like the sort of set that will be talked about in hushed tones in 30 or 40 years, and we can think of no greater praise than that.
Review: Venezuelan producer and multi-instrumentalist Caribombo is back with his new album Barrio Popular and it's a true outlier, that would be hard to put into any specific existing category. From the African Salsa dancer 'Bolingo' to the global club banger 'El Catire', Barrio Popular is as much a floor filler than a deep listen; an eclectic journey that draws on the French African and South-Asian diasporas' musical cultures to create colourful pieces of Dance music inspired by the artist's Colombo-Venezuelan heritage. Cumbia, dub, Afro-House, Afro-Venezuelan music, UK bass, favela funk, salsa, downtempo and hip-hop are among the numerous genres Caribombo effortlessly explores in this new, mature and surprisingly coherent project, where organic sounds harmoniously meet impeccably produced electronic beats and skilful Latin drumming. A musical adventure to the world's popular neighbourhoods, featuring guest rising stars from Mexico, Uganda, Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UK.
Review: Francisco Mora Catlett is a Mexican drummer, composer and educator. He began his musical career in Mexico City where he worked as a session musician for Capitol Records between 1968-1970. He left with Sun Ra in 1973 and worked with him until 1980. While in Detroit in 1987, he released his first album as a leader, the Pan-Afro project "Mora!". Mora II continues the concept of the first album, with wife Teresa Mora on vocals and trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave, This follow up album has finally been given a high quality vinyl reissue by London's Far Out Recordings.
Review: Much like Basquiat with his distinctive tools, Christophe Chassol blends, samples, and integrates elements from both ancestral and popular cultures to create a unique musical art form. His innovative approach has earned him praise from Terry Riley and recognition from contemporary artists like Xavier Veilhan and Sophie Calle and made him highly sought after by pop producers such as Frank Ocean and Solange Knowles. Chassol has pioneered truly original music in a world often dominated by repetition and his latest project, inspired by Basquiat's lesser-known painting Action Comics" debuted at the Philharmonie de Paris. Collaborating with his family and featuring his drummer Mathieu Edward, Chassol presents an "ultrascore" here that blends family and artistic influences alongside performances of his previous works.
Review: Having previously decided to ditch the Chet Faker moniker for a couple of subsequently low-key albums, including last year's digital-only ambient excursion, Musical Silence, Nick Murphy has finally decided to resurrect it. In the process, the Australian artist has gone back to basics, with Hotel Surrender sounding far more like his much-loved 2014 debut, Built on Glass - a massive hit in his home country - then anything else he's recorded since. It was a smart move, because Murphy does synth-heavy, electronica-tinged pop far better than most. As a result, the album is full of confirmed earworms, from the blue-eyed soul of 'Oh Me, Oh My' and the string-drenched swell of 'Whatever Tomorrow', to the flash-friend funk-pop of 'Feel Good' and the Rhodes-clad R&B-soul of 'In Too Deep'.
Review: Children of Zeus' sophomore LP Balance takes the blueprint of their debut and evolves it into a deeper and more refined sound. The British duo of Konny Kon and Tyler Daley hail from Manchester and incorporate soul music with hip hop, neo-soul, gospel and R&B with help from Grammy award winning producer Beat Butcha, with rising UK soul talents Akemi Fox and Georgie Sweet contributing guest vocals. The definitive sound of UK street soul in 2021.
Review: Stones Throw alumni Rejoicer hooks up with longtime collaborator and Apifera bandmate Nitai Hershkovits as Cinema Royal for a new self-titled album that is refined yet bold and quietly commands attention. Rooted in modern classical, it blends ambient, jazz and global orchestration with piano-led compositions intertwined with synths, Afrobeat drums, East Asian zithers and Ethio-jazz keys. This global sound is effortlessly fused and inspired by film scores that evoke Fellini's moody cinematic excellence. Despite its complexity, the music feels light and playful here and is driven by improvisation. Cinema Royal thrives on deep creative flow and is enriched by contributions from close collaborators.
Io Che Non Vivo Senza Te (feat Gilberto Gil) (3:26)
Con Una Rosa (4:23)
Que Me Importa El Mundo (4:23)
Va Bene, Va Bene Cosi (5:23)
Io Che Amo Solo Te (feat Chico Buarque) (4:15)
Never Never Never (3:55)
Metti Una Sera A Cena (4:06)
Una Sigaretta (3:21)
Fortissimo (3:44)
Incantevole (4:16)
E Penso A Te (feat Ana Carolina) (4:00)
Il Mondo (4:06)
Senza Fine (3:26)
I Mulini Dei Ricordi (The Windmills Of Your Mind) (feat Esperanza Spalding) (4:25)
Arrivederci (with Strings) (3:04)
Estate (4:43)
Senza Fine (English version) (3:41)
Roma Nun Fa La Stupida Stasera (3:08)
Hurry To Me (Metti Una Sera A Cena) (4:20)
Review: A decade after its original release, Chiara Civello's Canzoni album is finally available on vinyl in a deluxe double LP edition with a gatefold sleeve. This record is known for having showcased Civello's talent as an interpreter and it solidified her place on international stages. Fusing Italian musical tradition with genres like Northern soul, bossa nova, blue-eyed soul, jazz and pop, the record was produced by Nicola Conte and recorded in analogue across Bari, New York and Rio de Janeiro. Featuring extraordinary guests like Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque, Ana Carolina, Esperanza Spalding and orchestrations by Eumir Deodato, Canzoni remains as rich a listen as ever.
Review: This life-affirming new record from Down Under is a fine celebration of soul, broken beat, house and jazz that brims with rhythmic percussion, dynamic synths and syncopated basslines. Close Counters' effortless instrumentation shines throughout as paired with intricate production that maintains energy while allowing spaciousness with plenty of drum power. The album highlights the band's collaborative spirit with standout performances from Lyric Jones, Tiana Khasi, Allysha Joy, Jace XL, Shiv and others while the presence of Adam Halliwell of Mildlife on the opener further enriches what is a richly musical and adventurous album.
Review: While it's a cliche to describe Balearic-minded releases as being "sun-soaked" and "sunset-ready", they're both descriptors that accurately reflect the gorgeously warm, melodious and laidback sound of Japanese outfit Coastlines. Their second self-titled album is every bit as inspired as its predecessor and offers a range of tracks built around layered, intricate instrumentation, gently shuffling rhythms and vivid daydreams about beachside walks in sunnier climes. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the Andreas Vollenweider-inspired slo-mo Latin shuffle of 'Tenderly', the blazed deep jazz-funk of 'Alicia', the piano-laden early morning wonder of 'Night Cruise' and the squelchy future boogie of 'Sky Island'. In a word: sumptuous!
Review: Isaiah Collier, a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and composer, channels ancestral spirits on the transcendent Parallel Universe. Known for pushing jazz boundaries, Collier's saxophone mastery and compositional depth redefine the genre here as Parallel Universe marks a pivotal moment in his career as he embraces the live recording's risk and vulnerability. Reflecting on the improvisational essence of classic jazz, Collier honours musical predecessors in style here. The album features gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM's Corey Wilkes, blues-rooted guitarist Michael Damani, and collaborators Julian Davis Reid, James Russell Sims, and Micah Collier. Across eight tracks, a great understanding between them all really shines through.
Wherever I Go (feat Lawrence & Michael McDonald) (2:48)
Summer Rain (feat Madison Cunningham & Chris Thile) (4:29)
A Rock Somewhere (feat Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal) (4:57)
Mi Corazon (feat Camilo) (2:48)
Witness Me (feat Shawn Mendes, Stormzy & Kirk Franklin) (3:43)
Never Gonna Be Alone (feat Lizzy McAlpine & John Mayer) (3:52)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (feat John Legend & Tori Kelly) (4:05)
Over You (feat Aespa & Chris Martin) (4:05)
Box Of Stars 1 (feat Kirk Franklin, CHIKA, D Smoke, Sho Madjozi, Yelle & Kanyi Mavi) (4:05)
Box Of Stars 2 (feat Metropole Orkest, Suzie Collier, Steve Vai & VOCES8) (4:05)
World O World (4:05)
Wild Wild Sea (6:15)
Magic (feat Emily King) (3:46)
All Around You (feat The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices) (4:20)
Stars - Voice Memo (8:06)
Review: You will be hard-pushed to find a more eclectic record than this as it collides folk, samba, glittering pop, doom metal and rap with plenty of broken beats. DJESSE Vol. 4 concludes Jacob's thrilling series and was again crafted in his iconic home studio and around the world as a way of encapsulating his most vivid dreams. The unclassifiable music blends a spectrum of emotions into a joyous celebration of collective awakening and human potential and this deluxe edition includes four new tracks featuring collaborations with stars like Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, John Mayer, Lizzy McAlpine, Kirk Franklin, Brandi Carlile, Lawrence and Michael McDonald.
Vertigogo (LP1: The Missing Ingredient - Opening Theme) (2:18)
Junglero (0:08)
Four Rooms Swing (1:54)
Bewitched (0:01)
Tea & Eva In The Elevator (2:05)
Invocation (0:56)
Breakfast At Denny's (2:14)
Strange Brew (2:06)
Coven Of Witches (2:19)
The Earthly Diana (1:33)
Eva Seduces Ted (2:00)
Hallway Ted (The Wrong Man) (1:36)
Headshake Rhumba (0:42)
Skippen, Pukin, Sigfried (1:49)
Angela (1:04)
Punch Drunk (2:12)
Male Bonding (0:53)
Mariachi (LP2: The Misbehavers) (0:25)
Antes De Medianoche (2:40)
Sentimental Journey (2:15)
Kids Watch TV (0:22)
Champagne & Needles (1:59)
Bullseye (2:05)
Harlem Nocturne (0:59)
The Millionaire's Holiday (4:40)
Ted-O-Vater (The Man From Hollywood) (0:38)
Vertigogo (Closing Credits) (5:28)
D In The Hallway (0:22)
Torchy (0:16)
Review: Four Rooms reflects a very fun time in Hollywood, or at least the annals of American cinema. Co-directed by Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, the story of the fictional Los Angeles-set Hotel Mon Signor, and the strange, demanding, off-putting, and straight up intimidating guests that stay there on New Year's Eve - just as Tim Roth starts his first shift on the job as bellhop - is full of energy and a carefree, playful attitude. It's the kind of movie which, if it were made today, would no doubt be rushed straight to the bottom of the New Releases section on whatever streaming service you've given in to because it would feel cheap rather than charismatic. But in 1994, catching a quintet of fresh filmmakers on the rise, at a time when positivity reigned and the silver screen still had an ounce of class, means the whole thing worked well. As for the soundtrack, we veer between Americana and a reworking of the theme from 1960s US TV series Bewitched, weird, meditative vocal drone and lounge music.
Review: Terapia Records is a Milan-born record label created by Luca Ferrara and Michele Fallabrino aka Complementary Minds. Here they present the very first release in its catalogue, a stunning LP titled Butch Haynes introduces Complementary Minds Vol. 1. Featuring a wide selection of moods and grooves throughout its whopping amount of tracks, some of the highlights include: the late night boogie-down vibe of 'Flower Diva" the late night deepness of 'Q Orchestra' (The Lost Tape mix) with its Moodymann influenced vibe, through to the knackered and off-kilter business of 'Myers Boogie Man' and the dreamy classic house emotion of 'Contact 911' with its early Chicago vibe featuring celestial Larry Heard-like synth sounds.
Review: Long-established Italian producer Nicola Conte started working with jazz trombobist Gianluca Petrella back in 2017. In the years since, they've released a string of singles that fuse contemporary house sounds with the rhythms and musical styles of Africa. Here they present their collaborative debut album, People Need People, an effortlessly soulful affair that draws deeply on the pair's joint love of deep jazz-funk (see 'Hold On To Your Dreams') and the funk-fuelled goodness of Afrobeat ('Nigeria'). Throw in versions of those previously released singles (think 'African Spirits' and 'New World Shuffle' for starters), and you've got a highly entertaining full of high-quality musicianship and plenty of life-affirming melodic motifs.
Review: Charleston artist Contour, aka Khari Lucas, showcases his ever-evolving creativity on Take Off from Mercy, his debut album for Mexican Summer. Originally a beatmaker, Lucas has expanded his sound across projects like Onwards in 2022, Love Suite in 2021 and Weight in the same year, all of which blend noirish, sample-driven r&b with plenty of other diverse influences. Take Off from Mercy moves away from sampling, instead embracing guitar-led compositions that weave blues, Tropicalia, hip hop, post-punk and indie rock. This album solidifies Lucas's status as a dynamic lyricist and collaborator and has great contributions from Saul Williams, Mndsgn and co-producer Omari Jazz.
Review: Cornelius is the work of Japanese multi-instrumentalist Keigo Oyamada and he returned last year with the highly anticipated album Dream in Dream, his first full-length release since 2017's Mellow Waves. By blending avant-garde jazz, soulful r&b and psychedelic electronics, the album creates a breezy, sun-soaked soundscape and after that Cornelius gained international fame with Fantasma, which was standout for its cut-and-paste style akin to Beck and The Beastie Boys. Often compared to Brian Wilson for his intricate production, Cornelius has worked with artists like Blur and MGMT and Dream in Dream continues his innovative work with angular guitars, lush synths, and syncopated drums for a bright yet contemplative sound.
Review: Polish producer Latarnik and American vocalist Anthony Mills collide on this new album for Polish label Astigmatic to explore lo-fi hip-hop, soul, dub and experimental electronics. Mills's falsetto vocal brings great Neo-soul warmth to Crack Rock with emotionally charged tones soaring over the production which ranges from sugary and 80s-tinged disco and boogie on 'Crack' to deep, seductive and gooey on 'Passive Lover' which is a more romantic sound. Latarnik's work is often minimal yet immersive which creates space for Mills' voice to shine and is delivered in equal parts spoken word, chant and soulful croon. The hypnotic, slow-burning soundscapes that result are both intimate and confrontational, ready to make you dance but also often just to feel. Unapologetically raw and deeply human, this one lingers long after the final track ends.
Review: After the breakout success of his 2019 debut album Fyah, Theon Cross is back with his hotly anticipated follow-up. The British tubist and trombonist is right at the vanguard of young, modern jazz, playing an integral role in scene-leading bands Sons of Kemet and Moses Boyd Exodus, and his second album reaffirms his vision in dazzling style. The contemporary sound of British jazz is all about embracing new modes alongside the core skills and traditions of the culture, and Cross demonstrates this across every inch of Intra-I. The tuba never sounded so futuristic, and Cross' virtuoso playing folds into slick electronic processes with a fluidity that comes from within. Cross embodies this hybridised music like only he can, making a vital creative statement in the process.
Would You Like A Vampire (feat Bridget St John) (8:01)
Storm Rips Banana Tree (19:33)
Review: CS + Kreem have a hard job on their hands to follow up the magnificent Snoopy but they do it admirably with Orange. This is another intriguing album on The Trilogy Tapes that pairs suspenseful emptiness with fresh instrumental interjections, creepy spoken words with atmospheric found sounds to make for an album that is part sound collage, part experimental rhythms and part ambient storytelling. Acoustic guitars, nervy cellos, tentative xylophones, woozy flutes and lazy drum sounds all colour the airwaves in this most deep, compelling and pensive of records.
Review: Following 2022's Orange, Naarm (Melbourne) based pair CS + Kreme return with a brand new third album The Butterfly Drinks The Tears Of The Tortoise. This time out, the pair decide to head into a world of more dramatic sounds and global soundscapes that fuse organic elements like medieval arrangements, seafaring guitar strums and Sundanese tarawangsa strings with their own signature rhythms and industrial-edged drums. The standout track 'Uki' exemplifies this contrast as it evolves from abstract vocal loops and whispers into an avant-garde acid techno workout with claps and sharp melodies. The album therefore ably showcases the CS + Kreme's ability to merge delicate harmonies with unpredictable sonic structures.
Serpente - "Perda Outra" (feat Kelly Jayne Jones) (7:41)
Serpente - "Em Vida Traz" (feat Maxwell Sterling) (5:45)
Serpente - "Sombra De Ra" (4:30)
CZN - "Fork In The Path" (3:44)
CZN - "Redline Gossip" (2:36)
CZN - "It's Always Aperitivo Time Hour Somewhere" (2:48)
Review: We guarantee you won't have heard percussion like Serpente for some time. Offering three tracks of disorientating, complex beats, from 'Perda Outra' to 'Dobra De Ra', the triptych is rhythmically challenging but absolutely captivating, and certainly the kind of thing that's going to prove demanding for anyone obsessed with smooth, clean transitions in a mix. Flip this wild six pack and CZN's trio of tunes are similarly beguiling. Space age desert folk drums, suppressed ritualistic thrumming, and top-heavy pulsating arrangements that seem poised to generate high energy while never managing to release the tension. Quality bits we don't really know what else to say about - genre obsessives need not apply, this is no place for you or your structures and rules. But trust us, letting go of such ideals and diving in here will be one of the best things you do this week.
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