Rachael & Vilray Announce New Album West of Broadway, Out August 1 on Concord Jazz

Upcoming Tour Includes Newport Jazz Fest, LA’s The Ford, and NYC’s The Town Hall

Brooklyn-based duo Rachael & Vilray are set to release their third studio album, West of Broadway, on August 1 via Concord Jazz. The record marks another stunning chapter in the musical journey of vocalist Rachael Price (of Lake Street Dive) and guitarist/singer/songwriter Vilray, offering an exquisitely out-of-time portrait of their beloved New York City through lush, story-driven compositions.

Inspired by classic Broadway musicals, West of Broadway unfolds in a series of sharply-drawn vignettes—offbeat tales of love, loss, and human eccentricity told with cinematic flair. “There’s so much imagery in the lyrics,” notes Rachael Price. “I think a fun way to listen to the record would be to go for a walk and let the songs play out like a little movie in your mind.”

One of the album’s standout tracks, “Love Comes Around,” is available now on all streaming platforms. The song, commissioned by a widower who unexpectedly found love again, showcases the duo’s uncanny ability to blend storytelling with sophisticated musicality. “As I was writing, I could hear an arrangement that had the colors of West Coast cool—angular melodies, rich harmonies, and vibraphone instead of piano,” says Vilray. The vibraphone part, played by Warren Wolf, adds a “penthouse jazz flavor” that perfectly matches Rachael’s joyful phrasing and dynamic vocal performance.

Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, the album features contributions from saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea’s Origin) and drummer John Riley (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie), among others. The duo once again teamed up with arranger Jacob Zimmerman and producer Dan Knobler, continuing the creative collaboration that fueled their earlier releases, including the 2019 self-titled debut and 2023’s I Love A Love Song!.

While their musical style evokes the timeless glamour of Tin Pan Alley, West of Broadway ventures further into the theatrical, combining vintage pop and jazz idioms with narrative flair. “Going into the studio, there was a bit of a question as to whether we could bring together all these different elements that aren’t really connected—like West Coast jazz, Broadway musicals, and all the crazy characters and flavors within the songs,” Vilray explains. “But it showed us that even if the themes don’t feel unified at first, they’ll feel unified by the end—just as long as you’ve done your work, and you’ve got a room full of great musicians to knock the whole thing out of the park.”

The tracklist includes:

• Forever Never Lasts

• Is It Jim?

• My Key to Gramercy Park

• Lookin’ at You, I Forgot

• The Stuff

• Closer

• Love Comes Around

• Off Broadway (featuring Stephen Colbert)

• To Change

• Manhattan Serenade

Tour Dates

To support the album, Rachael & Vilray will embark on a U.S. tour with highlights including the Newport Jazz Festival on August 1, The Ford in Los Angeles on October 26, and The Town Hall in New York City on November 18.

Rachael & Vilray 2025 Tour Dates:

• July 30 – King of Prussia, PA – Concert Under the Stars

• Aug 1 – Newport, RI – Newport Jazz Festival

• Oct 20 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre

• Oct 21 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre

• Oct 22 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

• Oct 24 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club

• Oct 26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Ford

• Oct 27 – Scottsdale, AZ – Arizona Musicfest

• Nov 7 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

• Nov 8 – Evanston, IL – Cahn Auditorium

• Nov 9 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

• Nov 11 – Nashville, TN – Riverside Revival

• Nov 12 – Cincinnati, OH – Memorial Hall

• Nov 14 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre

• Nov 15 – Boston, MA – Royale

• Nov 18 – New York, NY – The Town Hall

Eric Dolphy’s Outward Bound: The Groundbreaking Debut as Bandleader

Outward Bound (Prestige/New Jazz 8236) marks the monumental debut album of Eric Dolphy as a bandleader and showcases his boundary-pushing artistry in full form. Originally released in 1960, this influential session features Dolphy in a dynamic quintet alongside:

• Freddie Hubbard – trumpet

• Jaki Byard – piano

• George Tucker – bass

• Roy Haynes – drums

This recording represents the first of several legendary collaborations between Dolphy and Hubbard, setting the stage for some of the most innovative music of the post-bop era.

To further enrich this special edition, two bonus tracks have been included. These additional recordings feature Dolphy performing in a quintet led by trumpeter Ted Curson, offering listeners even more insight into Dolphy’s unique musical voice.

The release also includes a 16-page booklet filled with archival photos, liner notes, and background information, making it a valuable collector's piece for any jazz aficionado.

Critical Acclaim

“This album is the first extended exposure I've had to the remarkable talent that is Eric Dolphy's. On the strength of what I experienced in the course of absorbing the release, I firmly believe that this man will be one of the most rewarding jazzmen of the coming decade.

Above all else, his playing and writing have life. Sometimes sounding as if it is boiling with rage, Dolphy's music is filled with sharp, jagged lines that lift the listener as they spiral to peak after peak of raw emotional expression.

This album is life.”
— ★★★★★ Don DeMicheal, DownBeat Magazine

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Track Listing

Disc 1 / Side 1:

1. The Things We Did Last Summer

2. Bali Ha’i

3. 245

4. G.W.

5. April Fool

6. Miss Toni

7. Glad to Be Unhappy

8. 245

9. Les

10. On Green Dolphin Street

11. G.W.

Jah Wobble Returns with Exclusive Dub LP on Dimple Discs

Dimple Discs proudly presents its first release from the legendary Jah Wobble—a brand-new exclusive dub LP featuring original artwork by the artist himself. This completely solo project showcases Wobble at his creative peak, with all tracks written, arranged, and performed by the bass icon.

Deeply influenced by dub pioneers Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby, the album delivers rich, immersive sonics and layers of mind-expanding sound. The LP is expertly mastered by Anthony Chapman of Collapsed Lung and cut to maximize clarity and volume, offering a truly high-fidelity listening experience.

Jah Wobble, best known as the original bassist for Public Image Ltd (PiL), rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After contributing to two groundbreaking PiL albums, he embarked on a prolific solo career exploring dub, world music, and experimental soundscapes.

In 2012, Wobble reunited with former PiL bandmate Keith Levene for Metal Box in Dub and the critically acclaimed album Yin & Yang. Since 2013, he has been a regular guest on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Up All Night, featured in the “Virtual Jukebox” segment with Dotun Adebayo.

His autobiography, Memoirs of a Geezer, was published in 2009. Today, Wobble continues to tour with his two-hour live show, often performing Metal Box in Dub alongside Jon Klein, former guitarist for Siouxsie and the Banshees, whom he hails as “the greatest post-punk guitarist.”

This new dub LP marks another milestone in Jah Wobble’s boundary-pushing musical journey—one not to be missed by fans of dub, post-punk, and experimental bass-driven music.

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Oliver Nelson’s The Blues and the Abstract Truth – CD Edition with Bonus Tracks & Booklet: A Timeless Jazz Masterpiece

Jazz enthusiasts and audiophiles rejoice—Oliver Nelson’s iconic album The Blues and the Abstract Truth is now available in an expanded CD edition, packed with musical treasures and collector-worthy extras. This definitive release includes the complete original album, six bonus tracks, and a 16-page booklet filled with memorabilia and updated liner notes, offering deep insight into one of the greatest jazz records ever made.

Originally released on Impulse! Records as Impulse AS-5, this 1961 recording marked a turning point in Oliver Nelson’s career, cementing his reputation as a masterful arranger and composer. At the heart of the album lies “Stolen Moments”, a timeless jazz standard praised as "perhaps the best blues ever written” by critic Ralf Dombrowski.

But the brilliance doesn’t stop there. The album showcases a dream lineup of jazz legends, including:

• Freddie Hubbard – trumpet

• Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone, flute

• Bill Evans – piano

• Paul Chambers – bass

• Roy Haynes – drums

Each performance is a study in balance, nuance, and innovative musical storytelling. Nelson’s arrangements blend the complexity of modern jazz with the soul of the blues, resulting in compositions that feel both fresh and eternal.

The newly remastered CD edition offers much more than just the original six tracks. Fans will find:

• Six bonus tracks featuring Oliver Nelson, Eric Dolphy, and Roy Haynes

• Two extended blues compositions

• The first recorded version of “Stolen Moments” – originally titled The Stolen Moment

• A 16-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia, and revised liner notes

This makes the release a must-have for collectors, jazz historians, and casual listeners alike.

This album has consistently been rated among the top jazz albums of all time, receiving accolades such as:

“This LP is a must buy for all jazz collectors, and a Top Ten-Fifty favourite for many.”
— Michael G. Nastos, AllMusic

“Using 12-bar blues and 'I Got Rhythm' as points of departure, Nelson has put together six compositions that show him to be one of the important new writers.”
— Don DeMicheal, Down Beat

Included in “120 Best Jazz Albums” – Basis-Diskothek Jazz, Germany

Track Listing

Disc 1 / Side 1:

1. Stolen Moments

2. Hoe-Down

3. Cascades

4. Yearnin’

5. Butch and Butch

6. Teenie’s Blues

7. Screamin’ the Blues

8. The Meetin’

9. Walk Away

10. Trane Whistle

11. Whole Nelson

12. Stolen Moments [First Version, aka The Stolen Moment]

Whether you’re discovering Oliver Nelson’s genius for the first time or revisiting a cornerstone of your jazz collection, this CD edition of The Blues and the Abstract Truth is an essential addition. It captures a singular moment in music history—when some of the most influential musicians came together to produce a body of work that still resonates today.

Sunset Manifesto Volume Two: A Global Groove Odyssey of Cinematic Disco and Mid-Tempo Bliss

Congratulations—you made it through another day. And what better reward than trading the doomscroll for a crisp mojito, a wide horizon, and the golden glow of sunset-soaked soundscapes? Welcome to Sunset Manifesto Volume Two, a lovingly curated sonic retreat courtesy of DJ Supermarkt. Out now, this second installment continues the journey through timeless, mid-tempo magic—equal parts nostalgic and forward-thinking, equal parts dream and dancefloor.

Set against the imaginary but oh-so-vivid backdrop of 1976 Los Angeles—by way of Mitte, Berlin—Volume Two leans deep into the smooth. Not smooth as a genre, but as a philosophy. As the world yells louder, Sunset Manifesto doubles down on mellow: no hard edges, just clean grooves, wistful melodies, and basslines that walk with swagger and ease.

The Tracklist: A Cross-Continental Conversation in Sound
The lineup is an international who's-who of the nu-smooth, après-disco scene. It opens with the extended summer breeze of Lovetempo’s “Same Ole Love (365 Days A Year)”, followed by the soft-funk shimmer of Nicholas Cangiano’s “Falling Behind.” From there, the compilation floats into the dubby, sunset-drenched remix of “Ventura Highway Blues” by Poolside (reworked with magic by Monsieur van Pratt).

Things only get silkier. PREP and Eddie Chacon team up for “Call It” (Turbotito Remix)—a track equal parts sultry and sincere, while Moi Je’s “Découvre” adds a French electro-pop breeze. Turbotito returns solo with “Time Starts Moving Slow,” a track so mellow it practically glides across the pool.

You’ll hear the rich harmonies of Young Gun Silver Fox’s “Curious,” the disco-funk pep of B.U.M.P.’s “Give A Little Love A Lot,” and the nostalgic head-nod of Woolfy vs Projections’ “Seeds.” And if you're looking for full retro-sci-fi dancefloor bliss, 1-900’s “Breakin’ 84” delivers.

Rounding out the set: Goodvibes Sound’s irresistible “Stay For One More Night” (Matt Hughes Remix), Moods & Nic Hanson’s gliding “Music Never Looked So Good,” the twilight romance of BowAsWell’s “Over When The Night Is Gone,” and finally, the lush remix of Joel Sarakula’s “Hands of Love” by Phil Martin and Kimchii’s tropical-laced slow-jam “Do You Ever.”

A Manifesto in Motion
This isn’t just another compilation—it’s a state of mind. Sunset Manifesto Volume Two avoids nostalgia traps while embracing half a century of dance music DNA. There are nods to romantic slo-mo house, French disco filters, Bernard Edwards’ signature basslines, and yes, even a Robbie Nevil-style shrug of cool. It’s music that understands history but plays in the now.

You won’t find irony or kitsch here—only warmth, generosity, and feel-good escapism crafted by some of the most innovative producers from around the world: France, Sweden, Mexico, the UK, Canada, China, and beyond. Their shared language is groove; their common aim, elevation.

For Fans Of:
Khruangbin, Poolside, Jungle, Daft Punk’s Discovery era, Yuksek, and those smooth yacht disco edits that magically turn your living room into a 1978 rooftop party.

So cue it up. Let Sunset Manifesto Volume Two be the soundtrack to your slow dances, cocktail hours, moonlit drives, and everything in between. Because in a world that keeps rushing, this record insists: the smooth will endure.

Sababa 5’s ‘Nadir’: A Psychedelic Descent into Cinematic Soul and Middle Eastern Funk

With the release of their fourth full-length project, Nadir, Sababa 5 deliver their most cinematic and compelling work to date. Out July 4, 2025 via Batov Records, the album marks a bold evolution in the band’s genre-defying sound—blending psychedelic soul, vintage funk, and Middle Eastern rock into a richly textured, emotionally resonant journey.

Now based in Paris, the globe-trotting ensemble dives into darker, more introspective territory with Nadir, a title that carries both astronomical and emotional weight. In astronomy, “nadir” refers to the point on the celestial sphere directly opposite the zenith—essentially the lowest point. In a metaphorical sense, it speaks to personal or collective lows, emotional valleys, and moments of reckoning. Sababa 5 channel this dual meaning into a soundscape that feels at once otherworldly and grounded, mystical and visceral.

The album opens with the enigmatic “VU,” a rhythm-driven track that immediately sets a tone of hypnotic suspense. Mysterious and sultry, it layers swirling guitars, Arabesque electric organ motifs, and trance-like drones in a nod to fellow musical explorers VuVuVu. The result is a smoky, cinematic funk track that pulls the listener into its hypnotic grip.

The title track “Nadir” deepens the immersion. Built on a brooding bassline and bathed in analog synth textures, the piece unfolds like a Mediterranean noir film. Psychedelic guitar flourishes and Middle Eastern tonalities add tension and cinematic flair, reminiscent of legendary soundtrack composers like Piero Umiliani or Stelvio Cipriani. It’s a moody, slow-burn groove that oozes drama and elegance.

Contrasting the album’s shadowier moments is “Tell,” a lighter, synth-forward Turkish ballad with a melodic, melancholic core. Drawing comparisons to the band’s earlier track “Aspan,” this song stands out for its subtle optimism and irresistible groove. It’s a refreshing exhale that still carries emotional weight—a shimmering piece of psych-soul with global influences woven through.

Nadir doesn’t shy away from its influences. Fans of The Heliocentrics, Khruangbin, The Dap Kings, and Turkish psych pioneers like Moğollar will find plenty to love here. Yet Sababa 5 are never derivative. Their sound is distinctive, cinematic, and deeply rooted in the intersection of tradition and experimentation.

With a growing international following and a history of standout collaborations with vocalists like Yurika and Sophia Solomon, Sababa 5 continue to impress tastemakers and adventurous listeners alike. Nadir is a triumph—an album that invites deep listening, rewards repeat plays, and expands the borders of modern psychedelic funk.

Trio of Bloom: Craig Taborn, Nels Cline & Marcus Gilmore Unite for a Radiant, Genre-Defying Debut

 

The seed of an idea from which Trio of Bloom sprouted was simply three names, and the limitless potential they suggested: keyboardist Craig Taborn, guitarist Nels Cline and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Three wholly singular artists, but with intrepid spirits in common; musical omnivores, with indelible voices that reject categorization, sharing an indefatigable compulsion to venture into previously undiscovered sonic territory. On their debut release, out September 26, 2025 via Pyroclastic Records, Taborn, Cline and Gilmore converge for their first-ever meeting – blossoming, like the flowers that grace the album’s artwork, into a living thing of radiant beauty, startling vibrancy and sultry intensity. 

The initial inspiration came from producer and poet David Breskin, a longtime collaborator with all three musicians, who imagined sparks would ignite when they met. “I’m always looking for ways to cross-pollinate and to bridge gaps,” Breskin explains. “I like to introduce people that might admire each other from afar but have never rubbed up against each other. I didn't know what the combination would sound like, which is the most exciting aspect for me.” 

Conceptually, Trio of Bloom harkens back nearly four decades to Strange Meeting, the sole album by Power Tools, which united guitarist Bill Frisell with bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson. That alchemical project, also instigated and produced by Breskin, has made a formative impact on generations of genre hybridizers, notably including both Cline and Taborn. The ensuing albums resemble each other in nothing but their kaleidoscopic vitality, but that common vitality is ferocious and captivating. “The category-less, open and rocking precedent of that music was a very freeing inspiration for me,” Cline says. 

It’s somewhat remarkable that these three inveterate experimentalists have not met before in some form, though their respective circles are vast enough to confound any attempt at a Venn diagram. Cline had never played with either in any context; Taborn and Gilmore had shared the stage on a handful of occasions in bands led by Chris Potter and Jakob Bro but never, to use Taborn’s words, “in a creative interaction with each other's music. So when Breskin floated this idea, it was a no-brainer for me.” 

“We all share the broadest range of possible influences,” Taborn continues. “I wanted to lean into those rather than delimit a certain space. I was very aware of how everybody played, so the real question became what that signature would be overall. I tried to leave the possibilities open and to engage each piece on its own terms.” 

“My initial thought was a combination of excitement and fear,” Cline describes. “These guys are such wizards. I didn't know what the modus operandi would be, but we found a lot of common ground and shared affinities.” 

“Nels is knowledgeable about such a broad spectrum of music,” Gilmore adds. “Craig plays at such a high level and also has a really wide-spanning knowledge of music. It’s exciting to be around people like that because you can learn a lot.” 

Breskin tasked each bandmate with bringing in a selection of original compositions, both new and repurposed, as well as a cover song that could be tailored for the trio. The album begins with Taborn’s selection, Ronald Shannon Jackson’s “Nightwhistlers” from Eye On You, the 1980 debut by the drummer’s band Decoding Society. Jackson’s jazz-rock reimagining of a Texas shuffle is transformed in Gilmore’s hands into a bracing eruption that begins the album. Cline’s cover choice is Terje Rypdal’s “Bend It,” from the Norwegian guitarist’s 1973 ECM release What Comes After, woven with an air of mystery and stealth. Gilmore suggested “Diana,” from the 1975 Wayne Shorter/Milton Nascimento collaboration Native Dancer. The trio’s breathtaking rendition takes full advantage of the studio’s capabilities, with Taborn playing crystalline celeste, Cline tailoring ephemeral loops and Gilmore tuning his toms like timpani for each chord change. “It's a really beautiful tune,” Gilmore says, “but it's daunting. You can’t try to make it better, because it's already perfect. So we just had to make it different.” Adds Cline, “The original is so profound, but it became a new version in a really beautiful way. And that had to happen, or there wouldn't have been much reason for it to exist.” 

Taborn’s “Unreal Light” is the embodiment of the trio’s name, blooming from a glimmering drone into a playfully angular, elusive groove. His “Why Canada” catapults to the opposite end of the spectrum for a corrosive burst of abstract, barbed wire funk. Gilmore’s “Breath” suspends time for five minutes of serene, spectral beauty. 

Cline contributes four pieces to the album. “Queen King,” with Cline overdubbing the infectious bass line, echoes the Afrobeat riff of “King Queen” from the Nels Cline Singers’ Breskin-produced 2010 album Initiate. That album also yields “Forge,” which the guitarist wanted to reprise and expand upon to provide the trio with an exercise in “that dark, King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra vibe.” Cline’s “Eye Shadow Eye” is a new three-part composition that begins with a tender ballad spotlighting Taborn’s delicate piano and Gilmore’s crisp brushwork; that leads into a terse blues section for the composer’s sinuous solo, culminating in an anthemic finale. “Gone Bust” is a brief sketch, a concluding shock of bristling energy to draw the curtain. 

The album’s centerpiece is “Bloomers,” a ten-minute free improvisation that corrals the fringe-probing sound effects of Cline and Taborn with the slippery, shifting rhythms of Gilmore into a vitalizing delve into the outer limits of dub. 

The lush imagery found in the Trio of Bloom booklet is by the artist Sharon Core, who painted new versions of pictures from legendary photographer Irving Penn’s 1980 collection Flowers. Beautiful, yes; but like the remarkable album it adorns, so much more – rich with ideas of the natural and the synthetic, of creation and reinterpretation, of interaction and individuality. Look/listen deeply, and much will inevitably bloom.

Trio of Bloom convenes three of the most venturesome and original artists in modern creative music. Craig Taborn has been revered as one of the most compelling voices on the creative music scene as both a pianist and electronic musician for the last 25 years, composing for and performing in a wide variety of situations including jazz, new music, electronic, rock, noise and the avant-garde. He has played and recorded with such luminaries as Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Dave Holland, Tim Berne, John Zorn, Chris Potter, Vijay Iyer and Kris Davis, among many others. Best known for the last 20 years as the guitarist of Wilco, Nels Cline is a true guitar polymath whose recording and performing career spans jazz, rock, punk and experimental music, with Rolling Stone anointing him among the top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He leads the trio Nels Cline Singers and the two-guitar (with Julian Lage) Nels Cline 4, and recently debuted his Consentrik Quartet, featuring Ingrid Laubrock, Chris Lightcap and Tom Rainey, on Blue Note Records. Grammy Award-winning drummer and composer Marcus Gilmore has worked with a diverse array of the finest musicians in the world, including Chick Corea, Pharoah Sanders, Vijay Iyer, Robert Glasper, Flying Lotus, Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny.

 

Well Mixed Blue: Tom Lyne’s Artistic Breakthrough with a Captivating Double Bass Duo

Acclaimed bassist, composer, producer, and sound designer Tom Lyne marks a significant artistic milestone with his latest album, Well Mixed Blue. This release showcases Lyne stepping beyond his familiar rhythm section role to take center stage, unveiling a distinct and compelling musical voice. The album also celebrates his enduring creative partnership with pianist Dave Milligan, resulting in a deeply intimate and expressive musical journey.

Tom Lyne’s Renewed Focus on Double Bass and Duo Composition

During the pandemic, Tom Lyne dedicated himself to an intensive practice regime on the double bass, reconnecting with the instrument on a deeper level. He composed specifically for the pared-back duo format with Milligan, drawing inspiration from legendary partnerships such as Sheila Jordan and Harvey S, as well as his long collaboration with Sophie Bancroft.

This renewed focus manifests in Well Mixed Blue as a collection of subtle, exploratory compositions rooted in sonic narrative and emotional depth.

A Diverse Musical Palette: From Meditation to Playful Fusion

Well Mixed Blue presents a broad range of musical vignettes that showcase Lyne’s versatility and expressive range:

• The meditative track “Sea More”, inspired by the ocean’s tranquility.

• A playful interpretation of David Sanborn’s ‘80s fusion classic “Run For Cover”.

• The quietly poetic “Holding On”.

• The title track “Well Mixed Blue” offers a subtle homage to the iconic 1962 Money Jungle session featuring Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach.

This varied sonic landscape appeals to fans of jazz, fusion, and contemporary instrumental music.

Tom Lyne’s Musical Journey and Artistic Evolution

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Tom Lyne’s musical journey has taken him across Canada and internationally. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz from McGill University in 1991, launching a career that spans busking in Europe with The Overexcite Band, forming the band Men Without Heads in Amsterdam, and touring extensively.

His 2016 solo album, Far From Mars, highlighted his talents as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer, blending improvisation with electronic music for a vibrant, retro-inspired sound infused with modern production techniques.

In addition to performance, Lyne is a passionate sound designer and composer for film, video, and experimental audio. He earned an MSc in Sound Design from Napier University in 2020, further enhancing his sonic expertise.

Tracklisting: Well Mixed Blue

Disc 1 – Side 1

1. Sea More

2. Three Sides Now

3. Use Me

4. The Bent Peg

5. Well Mixed Blue

6. Glitch In The Key Of Life

7. Slow To Home

8. One Small Thing

9. Holding On

10. Catriona's

11. Run For Cover

12. Dinner In Berlin

Why Well Mixed Blue Is a Must-Listen

• Showcases Tom Lyne’s distinctive double bass voice and duo collaboration.

• A rich mix of meditative, playful, and poetic jazz compositions.

• Reflects a mature blend of jazz tradition and modern sonic exploration.

• Features an intimate partnership with pianist Dave Milligan.

• Appeals to jazz lovers and fans of contemporary instrumental and fusion music.

Near Jazz Experience Debut: Wildly Improv, Tuneful Music Blending Jazz, Rock & Soundtrack Vibes

Dimple Discs proudly announces the debut release from the Near Jazz Experience (NJE), an electrifying new trio delivering wildly improvisational yet tuneful music. Imagine blending Can’s legendary rhythm section with the soulful inventiveness of Roland Kirk, infused with Motown grooves — that’s the unique sonic territory Near Jazz Experience explores.

Featuring three masterful musicians at the peak of their artistry, NJE creates a rich musical palette that hints at spaghetti western soundtracks and Bollywood flair, adding exotic textures to their inventive jazz-rock fusion.

Meet The Near Jazz Experience

• Terry Edwards (saxes & trumpets): After his work with The Higsons, Edwards has built an impressive career balancing solo projects and prolific session work. He has performed with acclaimed artists including Madness, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Spiritualized, David Gray, and many others. Notably, Terry appeared at the David Bowie-curated Meltdown Festival in 2002 with the Scapegoats.

• Mark Bedford (bass): Best known as a founding member of Madness, Bedford has also contributed to seminal recordings like Robert Wyatt’s “Shipbuilding.” His eclectic collaborations include Voice Of The Beehive and Morrissey, bringing deep experience and groove to NJE’s sound.

• Simon Charterton (drums): Formerly of The Higsons, Charterton is known for his dynamic drumming and collaborations with avant-garde artists like Anthony Moore of Slapp Happy. His versatile style anchors the trio’s adventurous explorations.

Special Guests Elevate the Sound

Adding extra layers to the album, keyboards by Mike Garson (famed for his work with David Bowie on Aladdin Sane) and Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai) bring texture and depth, complementing NJE’s bold improvisational spirit.

A Sound That Defies Boundaries

Near Jazz Experience’s music resists easy categorization. It’s wild yet melodic, experimental but accessible — a perfect fusion of jazz improvisation, rock energy, and cinematic atmosphere. Fans of innovative jazz, progressive rock, and soundtrack enthusiasts will find much to admire in this fresh and exciting release.

Why You Should Listen to Near Jazz Experience

• Impressive pedigree of seasoned musicians at the top of their game

• Unique fusion of jazz, rock, Motown rhythms, and cinematic influences

• Bold improvisations balanced with memorable melodies

• Collaborations with iconic keyboardists enhancing the sonic landscape

Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or simply love adventurous, boundary-pushing music, the Near Jazz Experience offers a thrilling new soundscape to explore.

WHEE3Trio Debut: A Joyful Fusion of Jazz, Afro-Latin, and West African Rhythms

Drummer and composer Andy Wheelock delivers a captivating debut with his WHEE3Trio, blending jazz, Afro-Latin, and West African musical influences into a unique, melodic, and rhythmically vibrant experience. Central to this recording is the distinctive sound of the Ghanaian Gyil — a wooden xylophone-like instrument — which Wheelock uses as both a compositional tool and textural element to create rich soundscapes.

Joining Wheelock are acclaimed guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Walter Gorra, and bassist Gonzalo Teppa. Their collaboration shapes intricate arrangements filled with innovative improvisations and rhythmic complexity. The inventive guitar lines of Hekselman add depth to compositions like the sweeping “Finn,” the intricate rhythmic dance of “Your Poor Mother,” and the Afro Pop-inspired street party vibe in “Empire.”

This debut album from the WHEE3Trio bursts with energy, joy, and rhythmic surprises. Wheelock’s compositions masterfully combine the pentatonic tonalities of the Gyil with contemporary jazz elements, resulting in an uplifting and engaging listening experience that jazz and world music fans will love.

Andy Wheelock’s musical pedigree includes collaborations with jazz greats such as Adam Birnbaum, Bill O’Connell, Craig Handy, and Ernie Watts, among others, highlighting the depth and versatility he brings to the WHEE3Trio project.

Tracklisting

Disc 1
Side 1

1. Empire

2. Well Luck Indeed

3. Dash to Dash

4. Two5 - Two3

5. Kewo

6. Blossom

7. Your Poor Mother

8. Finn

9. I'm Not Afraid

10. In the Wheelhouse

For jazz enthusiasts looking to explore a fresh blend of Afro-Latin jazz, West African rhythms, and innovative modern jazz, the WHEE3Trio’s debut album is a vibrant and must-have release. Experience the joyful fusion and masterful musicianship that Andy Wheelock and his trio bring to the global jazz scene.

Sculptural Soundscapes: Rafiq Bhatia’s Environments Redefines Jazz Boundaries

Oscar-nominated composer and guitarist Rafiq Bhatia arrives with his latest album, Environments, set for release on September 12, 2025 via ANTI‑ Records. The New York Times acknowledges him as “one of the most intriguing figures in music today … who refuses to be pinned to one genre, culture or instrument”. Bhatia builds on this reputation by blurring genre boundaries, merging avant‑garde jazz, electronic textures, and live improvisation into a cohesive sonic architecture.

On Environments, Bhatia explores deeply “sculptural, meticulously crafted music that finds common ground among ecstatic avant‑garde jazz”.  He applies real‑time sampling and live processing to weave together disparate musical worlds—reflecting his decade-long evolution as an electroacoustic composer and improvising guitarist.

Collaborators drummer Ian Chang and trumpeter Riley Mulherkar, both integral to Bhatia’s Son Lux collective, join him to conjure immersive “sonic ecosystems.” The opening track, “Aviary I | Sunrise,” recorded in a single take, ushers in an organic soundscape—transforming guitar, percussion, and trumpet into waking forest imagery. 

Bhatia’s credentials include co-scoring Marvel’s Thunderbolts and the Oscar-nominated Everything Everywhere All at Once alongside Son Lux. This high-profile work informs Environments with cinematic depth, yet the album remains rooted in live improvisation and layered musical storytelling.

Track Listing: Disc 1, Side 1

1. Aviary I | Sunrise

2. Rain On The Canopy | Melting Sky

3. At Midnight On A Black Sand Beach, The Raging Tides Begin To Speak

4. The Sky Breaks Open

5. Glimmers In The Ocean Deep

6. Volcano △

7. Clearing, Crickets

8. Aviary II | Air

Blending technology, jazz improvisation, and acoustic interplay, Environments redefines what a modern jazz album can be: an immersive journey through crafted sound environments. At once cerebral and visceral, it is a testament to Bhatia’s unique ability to build audio worlds that seamlessly intertwine intention, spontaneity, and storytelling.