Wednesday, March 02, 2022

New Music Releases: Daniel Maunick, Colin Curtis – Presents Jazz Dance Fusion, Brandee Younger, Phil Walker

Daniel Maunick - Persistence

The Azymuth, Marcos Valle and Incognito producer has announced his sophmore solo album. Between producing landmark albums with the likes of Azymuth, Marcos Valle, and Sabrina Malheiros, recent years have seen Daniel Maunick flourishing as a solo artist. His new solo album Persistence is an exemplary culmination of the momentum Maunick has built since his 2019 debut Macumba Quebrada, which earned support from Moodymann, Benji B, Gilles Peterson, Ron Trent, Palms Trax, Derrick Carter and Moxie to name just a few. As on his previous Far Out opuses (most recently the Musica Encantada EP), Persistence sees Maunick continue to playfully use foundations of traditional afro-brazilian rhythms, as is heard in the spectral cuicas throughout the blissfully bumping, deep-disco lead-single ‘Illusions’. 

Colin Curtis – Presents Jazz Dance Fusion Volume 3 

After the immense success of Volume Two last year, it was only right we get Colin back. Here we find Colin gathering the essence of the last 15 months, reflecting the positivity and feedback from his previous compilations for ZR and his Worldwide FM show. Jazz Dance Fusion Volume 3 is a combination of tracks that had previously evaded a release on vinyl and a reflection of the reaction that the new music was getting in his DJ sets and Radio show. The whole purpose of these compilations is to introduce you to fantastic talent to allow you to then go and explore all their works and keep this movement moving! With exclusive releases, many only available on Vinyl for the first time from Idris Ackamoor, Martin Johnson B3, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, JuJu, Bellita & Jazztumbatá, GeeW & JD73’s ElecTrio. The UK has made a great musical contribution to this genre in 2020 – 2021 From London to Leeds from Wales toScotland and beyond, quality emerging jazz talent which Colin hopes to showcase right here. “ ~ www.firstexperiencerecords.com

Brandee Younger - Unrest

Today harpist, composer, and recent Grammy® and NAACP Image Award nominee, Brandee Younger releases “Unrest” (Impulse! Records). The socially conscious two track digital single reflects upon the extraordinary uprising against police brutality and racial violence, aurally capturing the nations sociopolitical upheaval. Made possible by a grant from the Jazz Coalition and recorded at Van Gelder studios amid a pandemic and sweeping political change,and Younger deftly captures the turmoil on the emotionally charged tracks. Commenting on the two track release Younger says, “One thing is true for every person hearing this piece; we've all witnessed unrest as the nation grapples with its past and present - all in the midst of quarantine and major political change.” “Unrest” follows the 2021 release of her major label debut album, Somewhere Different, that garnered her a Grammy® nomination for Best Instrumental Composition for “Beautiful is Black” from the genre-busting set and a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental. In addition to her prowess as a bandleader, Younger straddles the line between the mainstream and the current jazz generation, exemplified by her work with jazz leaders and popular hip-hop and R&B luminaries including Ravi Coltrane, Kanye West, Maxwell, John Legend, Pharoah Sanders, Common, and Lauryn Hill. Her original composition “Hortense” was also featured in the Beyoncé documentary Homecoming.  

Phil Walker - In The Air Tonight

As proud of his “day gig” as a financial planner as he is of his burgeoning career as a sly and funky, soul-fired saxophonist, Phil Walker says his goal is destress you in two ways – Smooth Jazz and Smooth Life in Retirement. Because of the title of his latest seductive yet funky, groove intensive and Latin fired album In The Air Tongith, much hoopla will be made of the soaring, spot-on Phil on Phil (Collins) connection. Yet Walker, working with genre greats like Steve Oliver, Richard Smith and former Rippingtons’ members Kim Stone and Dave Hooper, also kicks it up on a Rufus classic and a batch of inspiring originals showcasing his talents at late night mood setting and firing on all cylinders for a danceable good. ~ www.smoothjazz.com

No comments:

Post a Comment