New Releases: Noah Gershwin / Bob Marley & The Wailers / Emilia Sisco / DJ Harrison

Noah Gerswhin - Ode To Abraham

Noah Gershwin explores pushing the boundaries of free improvisation within the confines of the jazz idiom. He has performed at venues and festivals such as The Stone, SF Jazz, and the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and has collaborated with artists such as Okkyung Lee, Billy Hart, Immanuel Wilkins, Ben Street, Jochen Rueckert and Steve Earl. Gershwin’s freshman trio album, “Ode to Abraham” presents a culmination of the past six years in his musical life living and playing in New York City. Rather than looking back at the past six years through a lens of nostalgia, Gershwin composes with gratitude in mind, his music representative of the people and places he comes from. The album title, “Ode to Abraham” pays homage to Abraham F. Greener, Gershwin’s grandfather who was born on September 7, 1909 in New York City. Gershwin comes from Abraham, from Philadelphia’s Clef Club, from late nights at Grassroots on St. Marks Pl, and from each musician who has come over for a midday espresso and session. “Ode to Abraham” is representative of where Gershwin has been, from writing under his loft bed on Stanton St. to under his guitar loft in Prospect Heights, but also, where he is going. 

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Bob Marley – Live At The Quiet Night Club – June 10, 1975

Live material from Bob Marley & The Wailers – recorded in an obscure nightclub in our hometown of Chicago during the 70s, and quite a nice change from some of the bigger label releases of the time! The band has a loose, very spontaneous vibe – and there's a nice flow to the longer length of the tracks – served up with instrumentation from Earl Lindon on keyboards and organ, Al Anderson on guitar, Aston Family Man Barrett on bass, and Carlton Barrett on drums – with backing vocals from the I-Threes behind Bob's lead vocals! Titles include "Rebel Music", "Talkin Blues", "Concrete Jungle", "Natty Dread", "I Shot The Sherriff", "Slave Driver", and "Midnight Ravers". ~ Dusty Groove

Emilia Sisco - Trouble

After her debut Timmion Records single ‘Don't Believe You Like That’, Emilia Sisco is back in the fold with a double sider of the highest order. Emilia seems to feel right at home with the material that she cooks up with Cold Diamond & Mink, filling both songs to the brim with soul. Despite its title, ‘Trouble’ strolls along with a delicately sweet mid-tempo groove and a nicely abundant arrangement, each of Emilia's lyrical calls getting a response from the background harmonizers and the band steady tightening up while the song builds towards its conclusion. The B-side slows things down to a lush southern soul drawl, coming off like a classy forgotten Hi session. Both of these tracks present a singer who has paid her dues by studying the craft and polishing it for years in front of live audiences. Now it's time for Emilia to push her voice out there on the wings of her own original songs, a feature that we've come to expect from the Timmion stable.

DJ Harrison - Monotones

An underground soul gem from DJ Harrison – aka Devonne Harris – a set that features the man himself on all the instruments, served up in a lean take on classic soul modes of the 70s! Think of the record as a one-man effort to capture some of the charms of Curtis Mayfield or the Isleys – sometimes on short tracks that are more sketches of ideas, but woven together as a much larger whole that really bristles with color and imagination throughout! There's plenty of Fender Rhodes on the set, and Harrison's got this crackling vocal style that's instantly charming – on cuts that include "Cigarette Ember", "Chester Fields", "I Gotta Go To Work", "The Man", "Soul Food Nostalgia", "DayDreaming", and "Chinatown Bus". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music: Alexander IV / Micatone / Zack Clarke & Alex Louloudis / Izy

Alexander IV - Musica 

Musica is something of a surprise summertime special release, following on from the recent Westbound EP by accomplished multi-instrumentalist and producer Alexander IV, otherwise known as Joris Feiertag. This latest sobriquet has allowed the Dutch beatmaker to move away from his more club focused offerings, to explore his hip hop, soul and jazz roots. The track is a Brasilian flavoured bossa nova beauty that starts sweetly and easily with mellow guitars and drums joined by enchanting South American vocals reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto, Joyce or the much missed Gal Costa. Breezy keys join the soothing mix, giving Musica the feel of an Ipanema classic, before things are turned up a notch, with a heavier samba sensation in the piece’s dying moments. Alexander IV’s music fuses organic and electronic elements with ease, which isn’t surprising given the artist’s experience not only as a consummate dance music maker, but also as drummer of choice for Dutch superstars Kraak & Smaak. Add to that an extended family of gifted musicians, and you’ve got something brand new yet retro; uncomplicated yet masterful.

Micatone - Where Do You Belong

German nu jazz stalwarts Micatone return to Sonar Kollektiv after a six year hiatus with the ethereal and emotionally charged coming-of-age piece, Where Do You Belong? The core duo of the band, Boris Meinhold on guitar and synths and Lisa Bassenge on vocals, have been making music for the label for over two decades, with five studio albums and numerous singles to date. Where Do You Belong? was inspired by singer Lisa’s now nineteen year old daughter at a time when she was trying to find her place in the world. Lisa explains that the “song (is) about the in-between state humans find themselves in when they grow up. A phase where life seems full of possibilities, shiny and brand new but at the same time scary and somehow overwhelming.” The track was produced during COVID lockdown with Boris using field recordings, guitars, an old organ bass pedal and choir that give the track that celestial feel. Lisa wrote the melodies and lyrics over the top and asked vocalists Lilian Bennett-Schaar, Johanna Maisel and Josephine Pritz to sing the choral parts. Label head honcho, Oliver Glage, then had the idea of Stefan Leisering, of Jazzanova, providing the programmed drums, and the track was complete. An elegant, touching and yet somewhat intangible new offering, and the first of a little series of pieces out on the label in 2023.

Zack Clarke & Alex Louloudis - What We Are

I'm reminded of Bartok's Mikrokosmos; his series of six volumes for tackling technical piano techniques he thought were missing from educational material for teaching "modern piano works" but in this case, it would be for drums and piano. And it's not that this album I'm sharing with you sounds like etudes, but they have a cohesiveness and "point" to each piece, even though there is quite a bit of free improvisation (note: this is not a free jazz record). Sometimes I also hear Erik Satie high on a pot of coffee. You decide. 'What We Are' is the flower that came out of the years-long collaboration between Zack Clarke (from Texas, now NYC) and Alex Louloudis (originally from Greece). The two met in New York City, became friends, and started collaborating in a variety of musical situations. Countless sessions, exploring the freer side of the Jazz idiom, gigs, and Louloudis' graduation recital from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music are some of the occasions that tighten their musical and personal connection. As may be apparent from listening to the album, both Clarke and Louloudis find their aesthetic preferences closer to the free jazz approaches. At the same time, one can understand that the two are heavily rooted into the jazz tradition as well as other important traditions that come from different places in the world. High on their list of influences, both in the composition and improvisation fronts, the two have Ornette Coleman and his innovation of the harmolodic approach. 

Izy - Close The Door

Izy are back with a new single: ‘Close The Door’, a slinky piece of minimalist analog neo-soul, their first new piece of music since 2021’s Irene album.Led by the heartfelt and sensual vocals of bassist Warrigo Tyrrell aka Waari, the song is an ode to cutting off the noise of the outside world and tuning in with yourself. Closing the door to past relationships and habits and shifting from old actions to new, opening a path to new growth, rooted in what is real and personal - home and family. Warrigo’s voice is supported by his own perfectly executed electric bass playing, sitting right in the pocket with drummer Maru Nitor-Zammataro and the sublime, understated guitar comping of Ryotaro Noshiro. The trio’s connection is near-psychic, and testament to the fact they’ve been playing together since they were teens. The entire rhythm track is a single improvisation captured on tape at the Hopestreet Recordings HQ which the band then worked back into creating vocal melodies and parts as a group. In Warrigo’s words: “We all came together in the vocal booth to find suited melodies, collectively building on each other’s ideas and eventually developing a storyline.” This song is a recommended listen for fans of anything from D’angelo to Curtis Mayfield, with a rhythmic feel and vocal performance informed by contemporary neo-soul but the analog textures speaking to older soul and jazz influences. Close The Door is the beginning of a new cycle of music from Izy with more singles due later in 2023 and an album scheduled for 2024.

Damian "Jr. Gong” Marley - Covers George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"

4x GRAMMY AWARD® - winning reggae artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is back with a new single, highlighting his interpretation of a timeless classic of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”. Marley's rendition of "My Sweet Lord" is said to capture the essence of the original while blending it with his own reggae-infused style, creating a fresh and captivating musical experience. 

The song, "My Sweet Lord," is a cover of Harrison's classic hit from his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Marley puts his own spin on the spiritual anthem, giving the track a fresh sound with his signature reggae style and soulful vocals. The single marks Marley's first solo release since 2019's "Reach Home Safe," and his first release under his own label, Ghetto Youths International, which he runs with his brothers Stephen and Julian Marley.

Marley chose to cover "My Sweet Lord" because of its timeless message and its relevance to the current state of the world. Showcasing his distinctive sound and artistry, Marley adds to his repertoire by collaborating with music legends such as Mick Jagger and forming the group 'Super Heavy.' The single will be available on all digital platforms on July 28th, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh, the first major benefit concert in history, which raised funds and awareness for the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. Marley hopes that his single will also inspire people to support causes that are close to their hearts and make a positive difference in the world.

The youngest son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley garnered his own place in music history when he became the first ever Reggae artist to win a GRAMMY AWARD® outside of the Reggae category, taking home an award for Best Urban/Alternative performance for his title single, “Welcome To Jamrock.” The acclaimed 2005 breakthrough disc Welcome To Jamrock, also won a GRAMMY AWARD® for Best Reggae Album, whilst the New York Times named it “the best reggae song of the decade.” Marley has been shaking up stages all over the world for the past few years, first in conjunction with his Distant Relatives project where he teams up with Nas and brother Stephen Marley, and then when he went on to partner with Skrillex for their groundbreaking track “Make It Bun Dem”, which Rolling Stone called “a monster mash up of dubstep and dancehall.” Which went on to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States alone. Following the track’s success, the reggae superstar released his fourth studio album, Stony Hill, resulting in his third GRAMMY AWARD® for Best Reggae Album. Marley is also working with his brothers Stephen and Julian under their Ghetto Youths International Label, to discover, develop and sign gifted artists – applying their musical talent and vast experience to create new and different styles of music. Recently, Marley collaborated on and produced The Kalling by Kabaka Pyramid in September of 2022. The 15-track project went on to win Best Reggae Album at the 65th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS®.

TCQ - The Path | Canadian jazz group

TCQ (The Cookers Quintet) is a Canadian jazz group, with a sound firmly rooted in the ‘60s hard bop movement.

The core members each bring their own unique qualities to the band’s sound. Saxophonist Ryan Oliver’s fat, full tenor tone might bring to mind heavyweight Dexter Gordon, but it’s blended with sophistication and subtlety. Oliver shares the front line with Tim Hamel, a trumpet player that can bring a hot, uptempo number to a boil and then carry a ballad with lyricism and beauty minutes later. The rock solid foundation of all of this is bassist Alex Coleman, who’s clearly grounded in the Ray Brown/Paul Chambers school of keeping the bass steady and swinging.

During the fall of 2021, while on tour in the west coast of Canada with Bernie Senensky (Piano), and Joe Poole (Drums), the group performed a brand new set of original compositions to live audiences which subsequently became the 8-track studio album, ‘The Path’. From Oliver’s opening blues, “Undisputed”, to Hamel’s Wayne Shorter-inspired album title track, the group has produced another exciting offering of original Canadian jazz steeped in the tradition. “With our fourth record we wanted to create something that maintained the group’s original voice and sensibilities while reflecting inspiration from some of our 60s jazz heros.” says Oliver.

Canadian jazz legend, Bernie Senensky has performed with the greats including Art Blakey and the Jazz messengers, Elvin Jones, and Pharoah Sanders. His deep harmonic sense and captivating improvisational style brought an edge to the record that could only be provided by a musician of Senensky‘s stature. With a degree in Jazz Performance under the guidance of Oscar Peterson, drummer Joe Poole has gradually gained an international reputation. His tasteful playing, sense of groove, and rhythmic fluidity have led him to accompany an impressive list of top musicians including Ernestine Anderson, Curtis Fuller, and Marcus Belgrave.

Born out of a weekly residency, TCQ cut their teeth on the classic, hard swinging music of Horace Silver, and Hank Mobley; it didn’t take long before they were writing tunes of their own. “We wanted to have tunes that would be swinging, straight ahead, and essentially, fun tunes with great rhythms and memorable melodies that even non-jazz lovers would be attracted to,” says Coleman.

TCQ has previously released 3 albums, Vol. 1 (2011), Vol. 2 (2015) featuring Leron Thomas and Dawn Pemberton, and Vol. 3 (2016) featuring NYC legend Johnny O’Neal on piano and vocals. Their sound pays homage to the jazz’s golden era while remaining unique and contemporary.

Kerry Politzer | "In a Heartbeat,\"

Kerry Politzer reaffirms her high regard as both a pianist and a composer on In a Heartbeat, to be released  on Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE) Records. In particular, it puts Portland, Oregon-based Politzer’s writing back in the spotlight. The quintet album (featuring Portland trumpeter Thomas Barber, saxophonist/flutist Joe Manis, bassist Garrett Baxter, and drummer George Colligan) is her first in eight years to exclusively feature her own compositions and arrangements.

Not to say that Politzer hasn’t kept busy in the time since 2014’s Below the Surface, her last collection of originals. The pianist is a first-call player on Portland’s increasingly rich jazz scene, as well as an educator on Portland State University’s jazz faculty. She also received grants in 2019 and 2020 to explore the work of great Brazilian pianists (one of whom was the subject of her 2019 album, Diagonal: The Music of Durval Ferreira).

Even so, writing music has remained among Politzer’s top priorities. “Composing is one of the things I enjoy the most,” she says. “I tend to be shy and I feel like I need to put myself out there, to make an emotional statement.”

In a Heartbeat certainly does that. It’s a kaleidoscope of moods, grooves, and even timbre (with Manis’s rotation between flute and tenor and soprano saxes as the wild card). “Spring Day” basks in a midtempo waltz and knowing satisfaction; the gently swinging title track is both romantic and mysterious; “3 AM” is slow and unsettling, even foreboding; and “Goodbye” is all lyrical melancholia.

The powerful emotions and equally powerful shifts are a reflection of the time of COVID-19, during which the bulk of the music was created. “A lot of this music was coming from my subconscious,” Politzer says. “Some of it came to me in a dream, and I’d wake up and write the rest of it down. This music is a product of the dreamlike headspace I was in during the pandemic.” 

If it was not a comfortable headspace in which to be, it was a remarkably inspiring one. In a Heartbeat is a glimpse at how Politzer, like any artist worthy of the name, transformed her reaction to anxious and uncertain times into bold, often haunting creative work.

Kerry Politzer was born in Washington, DC in 1971. There was music on both sides of her family, and she inherited that muse. She started playing piano at the age of four and pursued its study first at North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC, where she attended high school, then at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where she studied with Geri Allen, Bevan Manson, and Charlie Banacos. 

Having caught the jazz bug as a teenager, Politzer went to the music’s mecca, New York City, after completing her degree at NEC. She worked with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, established herself on the jam session and Brazilian jazz scenes, and began cultivating a book of original compositions, made manifest on her 2001 debut album Yearning. 

She continued documenting her music with 2002’s Watercolor, 2005’s Labyrinth, and 2010’s Blue in Blue. The latter two featured George Colligan—the acclaimed pianist and multi-instrumentalist who became her husband in 2005—on drums. The family transplanted itself across the country to Oregon in 2011, where both Colligan and Politzer took faculty positions at Portland State University. 

Her music has continued to flourish and develop on the West Coast, where Politzer has also taught at the University of Portland and played in Bossa PDX, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, and the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, and as a featured artist in the 25th Annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival in Boise, ID. She has also continued recording with 2014’s Below the Surface, 2019’s Diagonal: The Music of Durval Ferreira, and the new release In a Heartbeat.

Montreal-Based Pianist Andrés Vial Explores a Lyrical Vision on Juno-Nominated "When Is Ancient?"

Lyricism is the order of the day on When Is Ancient?, the sixth album by Montreal pianist-composer Andrés Vial, releasing in the U.S. September 30 on his own Chromatic Audio label. Recorded with a trio featuring bassist Martin Heslop and drummer Tommy Crane, the album is an expressive affair packed with rumination, sensitive interplay, and stunning melody. Initially released as a streaming-only album on December 31, 2020, When Is Ancient? has already garnered considerable acclaim, including a 2022 Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy) nomination for Jazz Album of the Year. 

As its June 2020 session date might suggest, it’s a small miracle that When Is Ancient? happened at all. Both Heslop (Kevin Dean, Devin Brahja Waldman) and Crane (Aaron Parks, Melissa Aldana) are old friends of Vial’s, but the three had never performed together before. “Martin, who I’ve played with for 15 years, was moving to Toronto to go to law school and work at a legal clinic for refugees. I wanted to cut a record with him before he left town,” the pianist recalls. “Tommy had moved to Montreal a few years before, but he was always on tour or teaching in Italy.”

 The COVID-19 pandemic kept all three of them in the city, of course, but hardly encouraged a group effort. The session was scheduled, then delayed several times over. “There was so much uncertainty about even being in a room together,” Vial says.

What they finally captured once together is well worth the effort. The somber tones of “La Nuit Est Un Soleil Voilé” and “Spring 2020” carry a powerful resonance, but it finds a complement in the understated joy of “Jabok” and “Mister Mystery.” This shadows-and-light balance is also studded with idiosyncratic gems, such as the Afro-Latin meditation “Senderos” and the surprisingly down-home “The Map Is Not the Territory.”

There are some themes running across When Is Ancient?, among them the musicians’ shared intensity after months of silence and a marking of lost time (“Spring 2020”) and people (the title track was inspired by the deaths of McCoy Tyner and Harold Mabern, along with Keith Jarrett’s loss of performing ability). The album’s true throughline, however, is its lyrical richness. Not one track is untouched by the trio’s confluence of melody, grace, and uncommon delicacy that keeps calling out to the listener well after the last notes have faded. 

Andrés Vial was born January 25, 1979 in Montreal. From his first memories, Andrés was seated at the piano of his father, an accomplished amateur musician, making up little songs. He eventually began taking classical lessons, also learning pop and Latin records that he heard around the house. But when he was 11 his mother came home with a copy of John Coltrane’s Blue Train, which altered his trajectory forever.

Andrés joined his middle school and high school jazz bands, then enrolled in the New School in New York, where his teachers included Hal Galper, Joe Chambers, Bill Charlap, and Buster Williams. After graduation, he returned to Montreal and became a full-time musician playing jazz, funk, hip-hop, and reggae (and writing commissions for films and contemporary dance). He also became a member of the city’s Kalmunity Vibe Collective, a grassroots assemblage that welcomes players and ideas from black musical forms all over the world. Vial had the opportunity as well to perform with visiting musicians including Ingrid Jensen, Michael Blake, Greg Cohen, Bassekou Kouyate, and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. 

Members of Kalmunity, including singer Malika Tirolien, appeared on Vial’s debut recording, 2007’s Trio/Septet. He followed it up with 2011’s The Infinite Field, a minimalist effort on which he played piano and vibraphone. While these two albums featured all original compositions, the next, conception/oblivion (2015), concentrated on a variety of American and Argentine composers, and Sphereology Volume 1 (2018) explored the music of Thelonious Monk. Vial the composer re-emerged with 2019’s Gang of Three (a trio record with bassist Dezron Douglas and Eric McPherson) and 2021’s Music for Film and Contemporary Dance Vol. 1 (a collection of Vial’s commissioned works). He continues in that vein with When Is Ancient?

Pianist George Colligan's "King's Dream"

George Colligan expresses the complexities and conflicting emotions of our confusing, sometimes chaotic times with the release of King’s Dream (PJCE Records). Though not quite a sequel, the album builds on many of the themes presented on his previous solo album, 2018’s Nation Divided.

The 11 original compositions on King’s Dream (Colligan’s 36th album as a leader) are not all new: Some of them go as far back as 2008. But like all the best improvised jazz, the tunes become about the moment in which they’re being played—in this case a very fraught moment. “It was and still is such an unusual time,” Colligan says. “Who knows what tomorrow brings? The music is a representation of that uncertainty.”

The variety of moods on the album help underscore that uncertainty. It moves from the wistful, bittersweet “Clearing the Mind” to the glorious funk of “Change”; from the hard-bitten “Blues for Dwayne Burno” to the lyrical balance of hope and trouble in “King’s Dream”; from the plaintive “Wishing for Things to Happen” to the sanguine “Finally a Rainbow.”

The title track of King’s Dream is also its centerpiece. Invoking the famous ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the piece both echoes and questions that optimism, making for a statement both timely and timeless about American life while also serving as a microcosm for the album’s precarious position between glass-half-full and half-empty—with glass-half-full perhaps taking the edge.

“In this challenging era and complex world in which we live, we have to believe that good will and enlightenment will prevail over ignorance and hatred,” Colligan writes in the album’s liner notes. “I don’t know whether music can make a difference, but I dedicate my album to those who believe in, as drummer Al Foster would say, ‘Peace, Love, and Jazz.’”George Colligan

George Colligan was born December 29. 1969 in Summit, New Jersey, but considers his hometown to be Columbia, Maryland, where he grew up since about the age of 3. In the fourth grade he took up trumpet in the elementary school band, then got serious about the instrument in middle school—around the time he discovered jazz from a neighbor who gave him a stack of Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis records.

Colligan went to Baltimore’s Peabody Institute, earning his degree in classical trumpet. While in Baltimore, though, he started teaching himself to play jazz licks on piano, soon getting gigs on the local scene, and suddenly found himself selling all his trumpets and becoming a professional pianist.

He shuttled back and forth between Baltimore and Washington, DC, mentoring with such musicians as Paul Carr, Gary Thomas, and Reuben Brown for several years before he made the leap to New York City in 1995. These associations meant that he already had some cachet on the New York scene when he arrived, and he was soon working with legendary figures like Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Lee Konitz, as well as recruiting the revered bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Ralph Peterson for his own 1996 debut Activism.

His career continued to grow, collaborating fruitfully with other greats of his generation including Ingrid Jensen, Mark Turner, Nicholas Payton, and Kurt Rosenwinkel; working under Jack DeJohnette, Buster Williams, Billy Hart, and Al Foster; and recording dozens of albums under his own name. In 2005, he married fellow pianist Kerry Politzer, and a few years later they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he began a career as a jazz educator.

That career continued on to a job at Oregon’s Portland State University, where Colligan moved in 2011 and remains today. In addition to his academic work, he has become a mainstay of the Portland jazz scene—as a drummer as well as a pianist. (He’s the drummer on Kerry Politzer’s latest CD, In a Heartbeat, also on PJCE Records.) Indeed, although King’s Dream is a solo album, it is also a collaboration with a longtime Portland colleague, pianist Randy Porter, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the album at his Heavywood Studio.

New Music: Dave Douglas & Elan Mehler / Dinner Party (Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, & Kamasi Washington) / Javier Nero / Greg Foat & Gigi Masin

Dave Douglas & Elan Mehler - If There Are Mountains

A collaboration between trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist Elan Mehler – but a record that seems to draw equal input from the vocals of Dominique Eade, who's a key force on the session – delivering these darkly poetic lyrics that are matched beautifully by both of the leaders – then taken into a rich tapestry of sonic activity through further work from John Gunther on saxes and bass clarinet, Simon Willson on bass, and Dayeon Seok on drums. The original album was a vinyl-only release on the subscription-only Newvelle label, but this CD issue adds in other tracks not on the vinyl – a set of 13 titles that include "Even A Nameless Stream", "Wolf Orchard", "Here On The Plains", "Barn's Burnt Down", "Life", The Spring Current", "With Your Singing", and "If There Are Mountains". ~ Dusty Groove

Dinner Party (Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, & Kamasi Washington) - Enigmatic Society

Maybe the best work so far from this really wonderful group – a magnificent match of the keyboards of Robert Glasper, the saxophones of Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington, and the superb production talents of 9th Wonder – all working together in a stunning blend of jazz, soul, funk, and hip hop! The tunes have a sharpness and focus that's even more powerful than previous work by the lineup – like they've really found that special space where the all-stars can come together in a united voice that really soars – working with key contributions from Phoelix on vocals, alongside Arin Ray and Ant Clemons. Titles include "Insane", "Watts Renaissance", "For Granted", "Secure", "Can't Go", "The Lower East Side", "Love Love", and "Answered Prayer". ~, Dusty Groove

Javier Nero - Kemet: The Black Land

Maybe the strongest statement so far as a leader by Javier Nero – a larger group recording that really bristles with energy – full of all sorts of fantastic twists and turns amidst a set of original compositions by Nero, all every bit as soulful as you might guess from the album's title! Nero blow trombone, but he's an equally strong leader – and the group features some key guest work from Sean Jones on trumpet and Warren Wolf on vibes – the latter of whom gets two especially nice solos on the set! Titles include "Reflections On The Dark Tranquil Water", "Discord", "One Day", "Kemet The Black Land", "Time", "Nostalgic Haiku", and "Just Let Go".  ~ Dusty Groove

Greg Foat & Gigi Masin - Dolphin

The keyboards of Greg Foat have a really great setting here in a collaboration with Gigi Masin – served up in a style that's maybe more laidback and spacious than before, yet in a way that makes us fall in love with Greg's electric piano lines all over again! Masin's got roots in more ambient sounds, but the record definitely has a jazz approach at the core – plenty of the increasingly sensitive styles that Foat has developed as the years moved on – shifting from an initial role as a guy who could handle vintage keys, to a point where he's really emerged as a more fully-fledged jazz player overall! The blend of keyboards and a larger sonic palette still has plenty of live instrumentation in the mix – different than a project of this sort by an artist like Bugge Wesseltoft – and titles include "London Nights", "Viento Calido", "Your Move", "Sabena", "Leo Theo", "Love Theme", and "Dolphin". ~ Dusty Groove

WAAN - Lost | A piece of heavy Jazz

WAAN represents the musical marriage of seasoned saxophonist Bart Wirtz and keyboard wiz Emiel van Rijthoven. As a pair of self-confessed tech nerds hailing from The Netherlands, their bromance was a slow burning one, but nevertheless their eventual collaboration fulfilled a dream that they’d both held close since first working together back in 2010. 

Lost, the third and final single to be taken from the duo’s debut album Echo Echo, is a fitting description of how they felt when writing it! Emiel in particular was struggling with a myriad of issues at the time - from their identity and how they worked as a live band to personal relationships and technical studio problems. All of these factors influenced the sound of this piece, with its low slung groove, mournful bass and piano parts which were played with mostly black keys, giving it an intense classical sound that forms the basis of the bridge. The pair worked for a long time on this track and it had many incarnations, but it was only when Bart added the harmonizer (a saxophone that you can create your own chords with) that the vision for the track became clear. Bart and Emiel found their way out of the darkness and Lost became one of the most positive songs on the album with its uplifting sax parts and frenetic and joyous drums. An important document of how a partnership can see you through even the most disorientating of times. 

With influences as disparate as Floating Points, BadBadNotGood and Eddie Harris, Echo Echo is far more complex than just being a dance music influenced jazz record. Co-producer Oscar de Jong, of Kraak & Smaak fame, encouraged the pair to play freely as part of a jazz group and then add the electronic elements. As a result the album owes as much to Duke Ellington and Lalo Schiffrin as it does NERD and The Eurythmics!

Following up on their acclaimed debut EP ‘Yagana’ in 2022, 5-piece band Pigeon return with a brand new offering: ‘Backslider’

Following up on their acclaimed debut EP ‘Yagana’ in 2022, 5-piece band Pigeon return with a brand new offering: ‘Backslider’.

Dressed as if they would be equally comfortable starring in a modern spaghetti western as they are cutting slick silhouettes on a festival stage - are Guinean singer Falle Nioke, Graham Godfrey on drums, Steve Pringle on keys, Tom Dream on guitar and Josh Ludlow on bass.

As Pigeon develop and hone their sound further, Afro-disco remains at the core while jazz and no-wave make way for new elements of electro, rock and synth pop. The introduction of sequencers and drum machines sprinkles a little more structure into the mix, however the recording process still very much embodies the DIY spirit of band members that enjoy jamming together.

With the Yagana EP gaining extensive support from radio, DJs and fans, each member has found themselves heavily in demand on top of their own individual pursuits – Falle Nioke is releasing his solo work as well as other projects, while Steve Pringle and Graham Godfrey play in various bands (Michael Kiwanuka and SAULT to name a few). Adding to the creative melting pot, Tom Dream pursues filmmaking and bespoke music composition via his own studio, and Josh Ludlow runs his own record label M.A.D. Records.

Amongst all this, they still manage to find time to come together for a UK tour in summer 2023, including Glastonbury Festival, Latitude Festival and The Great Escape.

On title track 'Backslider', a laid-back, 80s funk-rock bassline is backed by a deliberate, plodding drum kit. Kicking off with congas and synth stabs which appear optimistic at first, frontman Falle Nioke proceeds to sing in English and French - calling someone a  'backslider', for their dishonesty and bad behaviour. His cool air of contempt is mirrored by an epic guitar solo drenched in distortion pedal.

Jazz Supergroup PILC MOUTIN HOENIG Release 'YOU Are the Song' Album

No rehearsal. No overdubs. Not even a plan.

None of that is all that unusual for seasoned jazz players. But when the acclaimed trio of Jean-Michel Pilc, François Moutin and Ari Hoenig reunited for the first time in 12 years, there was no question that the magic they distilled all those years ago was just waiting to be plucked from the air the moment they reconvened.

The result, YOU Are the Song, is their first album in 12 years. It’s out May 12 on Justin Time Records. “Instead of talking about music, we let music talk through us,” says Pilc. “Rather than playing music, we let music play us. In lieu of playing a song, we become the song and invite all of YOU to do so.”

Even though Pilc and Moutin knew each other in France in the ‘80s when they attended university together, they strengthened their musical relationship in 1995 when they both moved to New York where they linked up with Hoenig. Their debut in 2000 was followed by three more records before they went their separate ways in 2011.

Jazz Times once wrote: “This remarkably intuitive trio has the ability to collectively bend the harmonic and rhythmic content of familiar jazz standards like taffy…...it’s like watching the Flying Karamazov Brothers tossing bowling pins back and forth from across the stage.”

Reuniting at the behest of Justin Time Records, it was like no time had passed at all. "What we do is pure improvisation,” says Pilc. “There is no resistance in the music when the three of us are together.” They assembled in a Brooklyn studio in June 2022 and played for three hours, gathering enough material for several albums. YOU Are the Song is the first.

The result includes spontaneous compositions as well as reharmonized takes on standards such as John Coltrane’s “Impressions” and Thelonious Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” — even the theme from the 1951 Disney version of Alice in Wonderland. It’s not free jazz as some listeners might assume from the trio’s three-decade career. It has an emotive heart, with all three musicians serving as leaders. It follows melodic forms, fuels with a unique rhythmic vitality, powers into playground antics and ventures into uncharted sonic territory.

“We’re in a state of concentration,” says Moutin. “We don’t want a rational mindset to get in the way. We are constantly on that crest between control and letting go. It’s a mystery, but we like to not solve the mystery. It’s more important to carry the emotion.”

Axon Radio pays homage to the rich jazz history of their hometown

While the video for contemporary jazz group Axon Radio’s new single looks like a modern love letter to their hometown, Indianapolis, the roots of “Naptown Hustle” run nearly one hundred years deep. The duo that makes up Axon Radio, drummer Travis Brant and bassist Cory Carleton, set out to honor Indianapolis’s jazz history by affectionately crafting an instrumental tribute. Building upon the foundation of a taut rhythmic groove, melodies came from the single’s co-writer and producer Darren Rahn, a multi-time Grammy nominee who has architected 27 Billboard No. 1 singles. Electing to go with electric jazz guitar as lead instrumental voice, two-time Grammy winner Paul Brown, a producer of more than sixty number one singles, plies his bluesy, cool jazz touch to the track. Axon Radio’s third single was released this week on the Def Left Ear imprint and became one of the most added singles on the Mediabase chart, scoring an instant add to the SiriusXM Watercolor playlist, and debuting on the iTunes top 40 UK jazz singles chart prior to release.

Back in the 1920s, Indianapolis had a vibrant jazz scene, belying the bucolic city’s sleepy reputation for which the media affectionately coined the nickname “Naptown.” Guitar legend Wes Montgomery was born during that era and carried the mantel proudly when he came of age alongside fellow Indianapolis native and trumpet great Freddie Hubbard. 

The “Naptown Hustle” video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTwEW9HK7Eo) takes viewers on a tour through the streets of Indianapolis, visiting cultural landmarks, hot spots and other historic locales. The mostly black-and-white video has a cosmopolitan look and a neighborhood feel while the track itself has a distinct retro sound.

“When writing 'Naptown Hustle,' we felt the song had a strong seventies vibe. It was written on drums and bass, which is typical of most Axon Radio songs. When producer Darren Rahn heard the track, he expanded on the idea by adding strings and other instrumentation (Rhodes, organ, synths and programming) to the mix. We all wanted a title that represents both our hometown and the seventies vibe so, we added 'Hustle' to the title as a throwback to the seventies dance, The Hustle,” said Brant.

Since Axon Radio’s approach to songwriting is somewhat unique, they often pursue collaborators to illuminate their work. Brant and Carleton reached out to Rahn, being fans of his saxophone playing and songwriting skills. Initially, they weren’t aware that Rahn was also a producer who has a stellar track record.

"We happened to be looking for a new producer so finding out Darren could fill that role made this collaboration a great fit," said Carleton. 

"From the start, we wanted guitar to be the lead instrument. Not only does it fit the song's vibe, but it would also serve to differentiate us in a genre that can be heavy with saxophone artists. When we approached Darren about guitar players, Paul Brown was at the front of my mind. Again, as luck would have it, Rahn and Brown have a long-standing work history. Shortly after, Paul was on board and ‘Naptown Hustle’ was complete," said Brant, who has been playing and writing music with Carleton for thirty years.

Before forming Axon Radio, Brant and Carleton performed as a drum and bass duo for a decade, creating an alchemic sound of jazz, funk, and fusion with live looping and interactive audience experiences. They released an experimental jazz fusion EP in 2020 titled “Shadow Logic,” which highlighted fusion guitarist Oz Noy as soloist. Then the group decided to take a deliberate turn towards making more commercial music, teaming up with contemporary jazz headliners such as nine-time Grammy nominee Gerald Albright and chart-topping saxophonist Michael Lington. 

Carleton said, “Our approach to songwriting is fairly unique as every song is written starting with drums and bass. This often makes for an eclectic mix of time signatures, key changes and rhythms. We’ve enlisted top-tier producers and arrangers to help smooth things out.”

Among those producers and arrangers are Bud Harner (Mindi Abair, David Benoit, Keiko Matsui), keyboardist Matt Rohde (Jane’s Addiction, “The Voice”), and now Rahn (Dave Koz, Najee, Blake Aaron).

Axon Radio’s first single, 2021’s “Prom Drama,” featured Albright along with A-list session players Michael Thompson (guitar) and Luis Conte (percussion). Last year, the group spotlighted Lington on “Forklift Judy.” Both singles were accompanied by imaginative videos that contained hidden messages and QR codes to download free music. The band will neither confirm nor deny that they utilized that tactic in the “Naptown Hustle” video.  

Kendra Erikareturns to her jazz roots with a Sinatra remake produced by Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson and Myron McKinley

It’s been four years since Kendra Erika cast her spell on the dance music world to capture the number one spot on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with “Self Control.” At her core, the siren’s burning passion is singing jazz and after a prolific three years during which she dropped eleven singles, most of which reached Billboard’s top ten enroute to amassing millions of streams and YouTube views, Erika is following her muse and changing the tempo. Her sultry version of “Witchcraft,” a Grammy nominated Song of the Year and Record of the Year originally released in 1957 as a single by Frank Sinatra.

Having become a fixture in the dance music space, Erika sought a new challenge. Just as she did with her club music releases when she tapped Grammy winner Damon Sharpe (Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull) to produce her, she teamed up with seasoned producers to launch her first foray in jazz. In fact, the idea to record “Witchcraft” came over lunch in Los Angeles with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson, who along with being an original member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has collaborated with Drake, Meghan Trainor, Nathan East and Howard Hewett.

“We were talking music direction for our collaboration, and I mentioned Frank Sinatra and that instantly perked Ralph's ears and attention. Sinatra has one hell of a classic style and vibe, and that's what made us sift through the songs he did. When I posed ‘Witchcraft,’ you could feel the agreement in the air amongst us. So, the magic started brewing from there,” said Erika who was exposed to Sinatra’s music at an early age, long before she started singing standards from the Great American songbook in South Florida clubs, bars and lounges as a teenager and in her early twenties.

Johnson brought in Earth, Wind & Fire’s longtime keyboardist and musical director Myron McKinley to coproduce “Witchcraft.” The production duo surrounded Erika’s sultry voice with lush instrumentation, including McKinley’s elegant piano and keyboards, swooning strings and a classy trumpet solo by Anne King.

Just like going home, Erika instantly felt comfortable singing jazz in the company of accomplished pros despite it being a dramatic departure from her dance-pop-EDM music recordings.   

“Before I went into the studio to record with Ralph and Myron, I thought that I would have to do a barrel of takes and change the way I sing and do things. However, it turned out to be such a smooth recording process. I only had to do a few takes of the song all the way through. That signified to me, especially going back to my roots and having spiritual confirmation from Frank (Sinatra), that I have come to that level now in my career where all it takes is for me to be fluid and stay true to myself as an artist in order to flow in an advanced environment,” said Erika, who shot a sensual video to accompany the single release (https://youtu.be/3jJAxpLepOk).

In addition to maintaining a constant presence on the Billboard dance charts, Erika’s singles and videos have filled dance floors, been added into MTV rotation and climbed the charts in the UK. “Witchcraft” will definitely introduce her vocal talents to a new audience.

“And it might just lead to a jazz album,” said Erika with a bewitching smile.

Soul-Jazz saxophonist Merlon Devine teams with Grammy nominated hitmaker Darren Rahn on new album "Shimmer"

After stirring the urban-contemporary jazz scene last fall, saxophonist Merlon Devine is back this summer with the rousing single “Shimmer,” which he wrote with his multiple Grammy nominated producer Darren Rahn (Dave Koz, Najee, Blake Aaron). The newly released single constructed of a glistening melody, an R&B groove, a jazzy soprano sax lead and a mission-driven message from the Devine Music Group has begun collecting playlist adds.

From its celestial opener through to its funky soul-powered conclusion, “Shimmer” is an inspirational soul-jazz instrumental skillfully architected by Rahn, who has crafted twenty-seven number one singles to date. Both Devine and Rahn share the bond of being spiritual, devout men and that inspired and impassioned connection permeates the new recording.    

“‘Shimmer’ is about the positive force that lives in each of us to help others. That force acts like a light shining out of us. That light can bring warmth, direction, hope, calm fears and give peace. Hopefully, this song will encourage those who hear it to do and be something positive in the life of someone else,” said Devine, who issued the new single as the follow up to the single “Stirred,” which dropped last October.  

The harmonies on “Shimmer” lushly drape the glistening track constructed by Rahn, who layered keyboards, synths, synth bass and programming around Devine’s soprano and tenor saxes. Randy Jacobs adds his nimble and nuanced guitar artistry and drummer Tarell Martin sets the tempo.  

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas who grew up in a household filled with gospel music before discovering jazz, Devine now calls the Washington, DC area home. He has worked with Ben Tankard and performed with Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson Jr., Tom Braxton and Michael Manson. Devine will launch “Shimmer” by playing a pair of shows locally at Blues Alley Jazz on Monday night before heading out on the road for a mixed itinerary of jazz and gospel concert dates booked into October. 

• Aug. 6 - Mt. Zion Assemblies, Fresno, CA
• Aug. 31 - Johnnie Alberta Scholarship, Washington, DC
• Sept. 3 - Full Counsel Metro, N. Little Rock, AR
• Sept. 15 -  New Birth Com. Church, Manassas, VA
• Sept. 16 - Restoration Place, Charlotte, NC
• Sept. 24 - Lighthouse Fam Church, Lafayette, LA
• Sept. 30 - New Covenant WC, Ft. Wayne, IN
• Oct. 1 - New Covenant WC, Ft. Wayne, IN
• Oct. 5-7 - International Gospel Summit,London, EN
• Oct. 11 -  Hamstead Jazz Club, London, EN

Jazz Singer Heather Christine's Captivating 'Walking With You' Takes You On A Nostalgic Journey Of Timeless Romance

An ode to the golden age of crooners, Mississauga-based Jazz musician/vocalist Heather Christine dazzles with her latest uplifting song about the timeless romance of being with your partner on the new original single “Walking With You,” available now.

Inspired by vocal legends like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Judy Garland, “Walking With You” is a wonderous musical number that draws on the careers of giants and was recorded and produced by renowned Canadian Producer and pianist Bill King.

Part of the “Mentor Magic” project funded by the Mississauga Arts Council, “Walking With You” came together during the pandemic as Heather would take walks with her husband, and accomplished musician, Matt Zaddy. “It’s what got me through that rough time,” says Christine. “Just that time out of the house with him was enough to spark my creativity and let me know we would be ok.”

Exquisite melodies and relentless energy elevate “Walking With You” into a swinging spectacle for the senses. The precision of the rhythm section is performed by Mark Kelso on drums and Pat Collins on acoustic bass, allowing the listener to be swept away to a time of dance halls, Broadway songs and big bands. 

Recorded at Inception Sound in Toronto, “Walking With You” was as much of a riveting experience, as it was a growing period for Heather as an artist. “When we were recording together, Bill helped me to create a new ending for the song right on the spot,” says Heather.. Bill works ‘in the moment’ as they say. There were musical developments that happened spontaneously. The whole session was so fast as Mark Kelso and Pat Collins nailed their parts in the first two takes. I left the session floating on a cloud.”

Dynamic rhythms and cozy pianos set the backdrop for Heather Christine’s jaw-dropping vocal performance which acts as a demonstration of her raw musical talent and ability to capture the magic in her lyrics.

“Maybe good news, or some real blues

But what stays true, I’m loving you

Life is wonderful when I’m walking with you”

The music video for "Walking With You" was shot by LA Based Filmmaker Eric Soto, and was funded by the Mississauga Arts Council with their MAC MicroGrant funding. As Heather says, “The music video was a salute to old Hollywood.”

“The video features my former dance partner Rob Halley from Canada's Wonderland, and it also enabled me to brush up on my dance steps and get me dancing again!”

Heather is an award-winning vocalist, composer, entertainer and budding producer from Mississauga. Her dynamic stage presence and soulful voice have led her to stages all over Canada singing live for audiences as large as 25,000. She has performed at numerous festivals gracing stages including Mississauga’s Celebration Square, Toronto’s Mel Lastman Square, London’s Aeolian Hall and more. 

As a recording artist, Heather’s original sound is a fusion of Jazz with elements of R&B and Pop, Heather’s 2019 debut release, Love in Colour garnered international attention and within the first month of its release, Love in Colour rose to #1 on the Spanish Radio show Smooth Jazz Sitges (Radio 99.2FM Barcelona). Featuring her original compositions, songs from Love in Colour received airplay in Canada on Toronto’s JazzFM91, CIUT 89.5FM, Coco Jazz in Montreal and Wave 94.7.

Heather Christine is the proud recipient of the Best New Artist Award presented by Mississauga Music in 2018. She is grateful to share her passion for music and the arts with Matt Zaddy, her husband and their two kitties. Heather is currently writing and recording her second album, Soul Call. She is dedicated to using her gifts to uplift humanity while encouraging women to use their voices.

 

Benjamin Lapidus releases his long-awaited 8th Latin jazz recording and 9th as a bandleader

World-renowned and Grammy™-nominated Cuban tres and guitar virtuoso and music scholar Benjamin Lapidus releases his long-awaited 8th Latin jazz recording and 9th as a bandleader. The unique album features heavyweights from the Latin and jazz worlds such as Mauricio Herrera, Willie Martínez, Jorge Bringas, Manuel Alejandro Carro, Ray “Chino” Díaz, Hector Torres, Jadele McPherson, and Paul Carlon.

“This is perhaps my most personal album because there is no place to hide musically speaking. This is that much more apparent when I’m playing bass, chords, and melodies simultaneously in real time on the Warr guitar or singing original songs of love and loss. These duets with Willie Martínez, Mauricio Herrera, and Ray Díaz allowed me to bring the touchstyle/tapping technique and sound to a wide range of Spanish Caribbean music that has been so important to me since my teenage years.” – Benjamin Lapidus

Latin music’s cutting-edge musician/scholar returns with Blues for Ochún, a grooving and ear-pleasing recording rooted in Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican music traditions as well as jazz. The result is a deep listening experience that offers a truly unique take on Latin jazz featuring touchstyle/tapping guitar, Cuban tres, electric guitar, English, Spanish, and Yoruba vocals, a heavy helping of Afro-Caribbean percussion, and the Hammond organ he explored on his last record, Ochosi Blues. The recording’s focus on the Warr guitar, a touchstyle/tapping instrument created by Mark Warr that allows the player to perform melody, harmony, and bass simultaneously, marks the first time that a Latin jazz album has ever been made featuring this instrument. When asked to label Benjamin Lapidus’ music, critics and fans agree that it is Latin Jazz in the truest sense of the term, as Lapidus continues to explore different ways of mixing Jazz and Spanish-Caribbean music, while making the music accessible, organic, and logical. This is the direct result of Lapidus and the New York musicians involved, who are completely bi-and even tri-cultural, a benefit of being residents of the largest Caribbean city in the United States. Active in the New York Latin scene since 1995, Lapidus has made a name for himself among the elders as the go to player for long-established bands and new live and recording projects such as The Buena Vista Social Club, Jerry and Andy González, Típica 73, Larry Harlow, and many more.

Critics and fans agree that Benjamin Lapidus’ music is unique in its cutting-edge approach without sacrificing accessibility or the traditions of Spanish-Caribbean music. With Blues for Ochún, Lapidus continues his dynamic vision of bringing Spanish-Caribbean music and jazz together as equals while charting new ground and creatively altering the musical conventions of both worlds. He started on this path in his previous five releases of original compositions (1998-2005) as the leader of the world-renowned Latin jazz phenomenon Sonido Isleño, and continued with his pan-Latin jazz interpretation of the Brazilian songbook with Kaori Fujii on Garota de Ipanema for RCA-Victor Japan (2007). In 2008, he released Herencia Judía a critically acclaimed Afro-Latin Jewish recording project. And in 2014, he released the Hammond organ-based Ochosi Blues to wide critical acclaim performing the title track and other originals at Havana’s Jazzplaza Festival in 2019.

For his 9th release Blues for Ochún, Lapidus assembled an A-list of performers and friends with whom he has frequently toured and recorded: Mauricio Herrera (Nicholas Payton, Yerba Buena) Cuban master drummer; Willie Martínez (Johnny Colón) veteran Latin jazz drummer and bandleader; Jadele McPherson Afrocuban ritual music vocalist and scholar; Hector Torres (Sonido Isleño, Chico Álvarez) veteran percussionist and long-time collaborator; Ray “Chino” Díaz Dominican percussionist with Milly y Los Vecinos; Manuel Alejandro Carro Cuban percussionist with David Broza; bassist Jorge Bringas former musical director for Albita, and Paul Carlon (Sonido Isleño) the in-demand NYC-based tenor saxophonist and bandleader. Lapidus joins them on Warr guitar, organ, guitar, Cuban tres, and vocals.

ASH WALKER - AQUAMARINE ft. Amp Fiddler, Lou Rhodes, Joe Armon-Jones + Yazz Ahmed

Four years on from his explorative third full-length ‘Aquamarine,’ Londoner Ash Walker returns with an equally ambitious follow-up, set for release via Night Time Stories on 30th June. Alongside a plethora of award-winning collaborators and combining a dizzying array of sounds, ‘Astronaut’ hears Walker push his astral shower of rhythm and vibes to new heights. If 'Aquamarine’ was the take-off of his audial spaceship, ‘Astronaut’ is the cosmic voyage reaching terminal velocity; a rocket-powered masterclass spanning jazz, blues, soul, funk, and reggae.

‘Astronaut’ opens with ‘Only Love’ and features dreamy vocals from inimitable Mercury-nominee and Lamb member Lou Rhodes. “I’d always been such a fan of her work with Lamb and the West-Country scene growing up ,and I felt so privileged when she said yes,” explains Walker. After recording it in Somerset, the pair agreed it was in need of a choir, and Laville & Sheree Dubois were called up to elevate that Sunday service feeling. ‘Letting Go’ was developed from a sketch at Walker’s home studio, with some of the Ebi Soda crew cooking up some beats  and award-winning producer, engineer and songwriter Andrew Ashong providing the final magic touch. Having been a huge fan of Amp Fiddler and the Detroit scene from his teenage years, Walker was hungry to get him involved in the project.’ "When I first heard the vocals for ‘Afronaut,’ I was lost for words. Not only had he smashed the brief, but he clearly  understood my vision of the entire project," recalls Walker.

Another afternoon with the Ebi Soda gang saw 'Babylonian Triangle Of Captivity' come to light, its name inspired by Franco Rosso and Martin Stellman's 1980 classic film ‘Babylon.' Denitia blew Walker away with her vocal offering on 'Time Gets Wasted,’ and Grammy winner Sly5thAve (Prince, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight) went the extra mile on sax, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute. Next up Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia band member Joe Armon-Jones and South London music-scene pioneer Oscar Jerome join forces on ‘Automaton,’ and  British-Bahraini horn player Yazz Ahmed lays down some flugelhorn magic on ‘Running Away.' After playing ‘Petrolhead’ live for years, Walker finally summoned a suitable cast to do it justice in the studio, before Ahmed’s muted trumpet breathes some extra life into penultimate groove ‘Detroit Velvet Smooth.” Intended to represent the slow rotation of Jupiter on its axis, label buddy Kennebec provides fitting flourishes to the albums final offering. A beautiful and thought-provoking finale to a cosmic masterpiece, it cements Walker’s place amongst jazz music’s elite. We have lift off.

An avid record collector, Walker has DJed far and wide... from the infamous Royal Mail squat party to the canals of Venice, spinning vinyl in Brixton with The Specials to scattering dub across San Francisco and LA. His own production output is similarly exploratory: his journeys have taken him far and wide, from tunnels under the river Thames to recording local percussionists in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Inspired by a deep dive of sounds from artists including Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, King Tubby, Bo Diddley, 4Hero, J Dilla, Pete Rock, Curtis Mayfield, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich; his first two albums, ‘Augmented 7th’ (2015) and ‘Echo Chamber’ (2016) gained attention from the likes of BBC 6 Music DJs Gilles Peterson, Don Letts and Gideon Coe. 

New album of tropical grooves 'Sundub Society' by Bahama Soul Club

Bahama Soul Club are a German outfit whose unique blend of soul, jazz, funk, blues, bossanova, afro and Caribbean influences has firmly put them on the map as one of the most exciting contemporary outfits.

Led by Oliver Belz, the band started in 2005 under the name of The Juju Orchestra. The first 45 was double-sider “Kind Of Latin Rhythm” / “Funky Nassau” released in 2006, which became a huge worldwide success, going straight to N.1 on the German club charts and staying there for more than 12 weeks. The album that soon followed, Bossa Nova Is Not A Crime, was released in 2007 with guest vocals from soul-jazz crooner Terry Callier, Carolyn Leonhart, from Steely Dan and the lovely Katia B from Sao Paulo, whose cut became a smash hit in the worldwide club jazz scene and again reached the official media control Jazz Charts #2.

In 2008 for legal reasons the band’s name was changed to Bahama Soul Club and their first album under this name came out as Rhythm Is What Makes Jazz Jazz, following up on the outstanding success of The Juju Orchestra. They definitely hit the mark once again with the incredible appearance of guests like french chanteuse Isabelle Antena from Nouvelle Vague and Mrs. Pat Appleton from DePhazz. 2010 marks the release of the second Bahama Soul Club album, “Bossa Nova Just Smells Funky” with guest singers Xantoné Blacq from Amy Winehouse Band, British shooting star John Turrell, Kojato and again Pat Appleton, just to name a few. It soon became the band’s biggest success with radio features on ALL german public radio stations and countless “CD of the month” / “Album of the year” features worldwide, along with many Chart entries.

2013 saw the band release their third album, The Cuban Tapes, an exotic blend of Cuban rhythms and tropical flavors, executed with the trademark Bahama Soul Club style. This full-length once again featured a host of talented vocal guests such as Danay Suarez, Arema Arega & Telmary Diaz from the contemporary Cuban scene, 3 generations of American soul singers Bessie Smith, Spanky Wilson and Ruthie Foster, and Anna Luca from Club Des Belugas.

3 years later, in 2016, fourth full-length Havana ’58 was released, a musical homage to Cuba’s roaring years before the revolution. As has become customary with BSC releases, this too featured esteemed guests, from vocal quartet Sexto Sentido, to the vivacious Olvido Ruiz, and of course once again lovely Cuban singer-songwriter Arema Arega.

Bohemia After Dawn was released in 2020, with 12 sun-soaked, laid back tracks, recorded from the band’s new home in Algrave, Portugal, where they relocated. This album draws deep inspiration from the multicultural verve of young worldly folk drawn to the Bohemian coasts of the most southwestern part of Europe, where hippie-esque hedonism, infinite musical diversity, and offbeat enchanted lifestyles fuel the scene.

Now 5 albums deep and with fans worldwide clamouring for more, in 2023 the time has come for new music, which Bahama Soul Club promptly delivers in the form of a new single. hinting at the possibility of an album on the way…

 

George Porter Jr., Eddie Roberts, Robert Walter & Nikki Glaspie Produce an All-Star Funk Collaboration ‘Floki Sessions: Boots in Place’

The intrepid Viking Flóki followed the path of a raven to discover Iceland over a thousand years ago and his boldness lives on through the Floki Sessions, a series that hosts musicians at Floki Studios, located in the Fljót Valley on the mountainous Troll Peninsula in northern Iceland to create a platform for renowned musical artists around the world to share the inspiration, soul, and energy of Iceland. Following up The New Mastersounds’ acclaimed 2022 album The Deplar Effect, the latest installment Floki Sessions: Boots in Place finds revered funk contemporaries George Porter Jr. (The Meters), Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds), Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars), and Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power) embarking on a studio retreat surrounded by the striking natural beauty of the Icelandic coastline and state-of-the-art recording equipment. Produced by Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds, the album presents a broad range of vintage funk & soul-inspired sounds explored through 10 brand new tracks that feature appearances from Son Little, Big Chief Donal Harrison, Erica Falls (formerly Galactic) Lamar Williams Jr. (Trouble No More, The New Mastersounds & North Mississippi All-Stars), Tierinii Jackson (Southern Avenue), Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce) and rising Chicago artist GreenTTea.

The record presents the perfect blend of New Orleans funk traditions spearheaded by Porter’s legacy as one of the most iconic bassists in history best known as a founding member of The Meters. During the Floki Session, each collaborator in the core quartet brought in grooves and frameworks that were seamlessly fleshed out with guests later enlisted to put the icing on the cake. The album’s lead single “Mardi Gras Day,” released ahead of Fat Tuesday, came out of the gate as a homage to New Orleans. Walter brought in the instrumental groove that was augmented by the quartet and immediately reminded Roberts of  The Wild Magnolias and other Mardi Gras Indian recordings of the ‘70s. After the initial session in Iceland, Eddie approached Big Chief Donald Harrison who is revered as an iconic jazz artist best known for being the horn counterpart of trumpeter Terrance Blanchard in the ‘80s lineup of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and is currently the Chief of Congo Square in Afro-New Orleans Culture. While Harrison was performing in Denver, Colorado, Roberts seized the opportunity to get him into Color Red Studios to guest on the track.

“It doesn’t come much more legit than a Mardi Gras anthem played by two of New Orleans’ legends, George Porter Jr. and Big Chief Donald Harrison,” remarks Roberts, “In fact, everyone on the track has lived or gigged heavily in New Orleans at some point in their careers. This new record captures the spirit of some classic Mardi Gras Indian tracks of the ’70s, but is brought to life in 2023!”

Porter adds, “Big Chief Harrison has brought a fresh spin to Mardi Gras Tradition. Paying homage to that tradition is important to keeping the culture alive.”

The album title track “Boots in Place” features New Orleans mainstay vocalist, Erica Fall (formerly of Galactic) in a particularly funky groove brought to the group by Glaspie. Like Harrison, Falls was also brought into Color Red Studios while performing during Color Red’s 4th-year anniversary show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. She had originally thought she was composing a song for George to sing over and penned the lyric “My Name is George Porter Jr.” in the opening verse. After realizing that it was a misunderstanding and she would be singing the song in addition to penning the lyrics, the lyric was changed to “My Name is George Porter Jr.” The proclamation solidifies the steadfast nature of the lead track paying respects to George’s living legacy as one of the fieriest funkmesiters of all time. Of the final product, Roberts exclaims, “I think this tune sums up the whole project and I love how it celebrates George and ‘what he came here to do’.”

Fans of The New Mastersounds and those familiar with The Allman Brothers lineage will delight in finding vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. on “Everything & Everyone.” Roberts brought in the Curtis Mayfied-inspired groove and had vocalist & songwriter Shelby Kemp pen the lyrics, who also worked with Roberts and Williams on two tracks on The Deplar Effect by The New Mastersounds. With the addition of Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce) on trumpet and Nate Miller on saxophone, the outcome is a classic 60’s soul track with a hopeful spirit of pulling together to get through.

Another notable track is “Fall Right In,” a quirky arrangement that details the underbelly of New Orleans that acclaimed indie-soul artist Son Little. In a conversation with Floki Studios’ AR & Development Director, Chris Funk (The Decemberists), Roberts was introduced to Son Little’s music and had him on repeat for weeks citing him as “the real keeper of the soul torch.” While headlining The Bluebird Theater in Denver in November 2022, Roberts met Son Little and approached him to guest on the album and they fleshed out the arrangement that same weekend.

Other guests on the album include Tierinii Jackson of Southern Avenue on “Peace,” a gospel-inspired track that was the perfect fit for the Memphis-born and raised vocalist and promising 19-year-old Chicago vocalist GreenTTea on the ethereal “Jardim” which testifies that the vanguard of funk and soul music is in good hands as it reaches new generations. As likely implied, “Jazzmatazz” is a direct nod to Guru’s iconic 1993 album, who Roberts recalls seeing in Leeds, UK around that same time. Eric “Benny” Bloom garnished the track with punchy horn arrangements and the result is a homage to a golden era of 90s jazz-inspired hip-hop.

As cliche as it sounds, there truly is something for everyone in Floki Sessions: Boots in Place that will appeal to decades-long fans of The Meters and digital crate diggers on the hunt for fresh soul sounds alike. The merger of generations, musical styles, and home bases of musicians presents George Porter Jr. to audiences from many walks of life once again celebrating his patrimony of being a foundational funk musician and doing what he came here to do.