Although Drifter is a relatively new name in the jazz scene, the personnel is not. Acclaimed pianist Alexi Tuomarila, saxophonist Nicolas Kummert, bassist Axel Gilain and Teun Verbruggen on drums form this exciting group which was formerly known as the Alexi Tuomarila Quartet.
The new album "Flow" is truly a modern jazz gem. Based on a melodic foundation this band unfolds and develops a very unique and playful brand of jazz. And there really is a flow in the music as you can hear especially in the opener "Crow Hill", a flow that grows in intensity and rhythmic energy. But this is just one example for the fresh vibes that Drifter are breathing into conventional patterns.
"American Dream" is the new video and track by Curt Sharp from New Jersey featuring a whole crew of MC's in Shlick Smit, Solitude and A-F-R-O aka "All Flows Reach Out" aka the guy who stunned everybody with his freestyle skills on Youtube.
The single is a throwback hip hop tune which is packed with social criticism and different rap flows.
Get the track for free on Bandcamp or watch the video below.
Kutiman is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and artist from Israel who just released his new two-track album "Space Cassava" on the brand new label Siyal Music.
The album features only two recordings but still exceeds the 25 minutes mark. It is another priceless example for Kutiman's vibrant and fresh approach that spans funky afro grooves, spacy electronic elements and dynamic song structures. It is a rich sound of jazz ensembles blending with great rhythms and a never ending thurst for the next big groove.
Formerly known as The Socks Lyon's Sunder are on the rise and ready to strike with their debut single "Cursed Wolf".
The new track is an excellent piece of heavy psychedelic rock grooves and fuzzy guitar sounds. This is a straight forward rock and roll music approach featuring distinct organ vibes and a nice dose of melodic riffs.
Get a physical copy on Tee Pee or Crusher Records. Below you can listen to the full single and while you're at it you can also watch some BMX skills by Anthony Perrin.
Roots Magic is an Italian ensemble putting their jazzy blues interpretation in classic tunes by blues and jazz legends. The new album "Hoodoo Blues & Roots Magic" is out on Clean Feed Records.
The group that also contributes two original tracks on album consists of Alberto Popolla on clarinets, Errico Defabritiis on alto sax, Gianfranco
Tedeschi on double bass, Fabrizio Spera on drums and guest Luca
Venitucci on organ. As much as this record is about the blues it is also about various other musical genres that the blues is implemented in here. So you will find free jazz tracks, slow jams, afro grooves and many more.
Putting together a variety of elements that any rock fan should appreciate Sweat Lodge from Austin just released an incredible album on Ripple Music. "Talismania" is available since early August and bursts with a heavy dose of rock'n'roll energy.
There is something retro about the sound of this band and a unique blend of blues and early metal that really sets it apart from all the current retro-rock trends. Clean vocals, heavy riffs and an old school approach make this record a great and intense ride.
Hailing from New York City the Grizzly Gato rap duo just released an incredible album called "While You Were Sleeping". The group consists of Oddy Gato, Grizzly Grimace and a timeless hip hop approach.
This is dirty rap over flawless and fresh beats. There have already been a few single releases featuring some nice visuals for the outstanding tracks "Pork Belly" and "Wieners" (videos below). You will find funky and old school vibes in every tune on this record and the dope combination of beats and rhymes show that this is a collaboration that just had to be done.
Get the full stream and all kinds of digital and physical forms of this album on Bandcamp.
Although Tramp Records is known for some incredible compilation series the second part of their "Praise Poems" collections turned out to be a pretty early successor. It seems like the label's stock of rare soul gems will never be depleted
Apparently it was Abraham Battat's "Fly Away", the opener, that inspired the Tramp Crew for this quick release and who could blame them? With is soothing sounds this track really impersonates the spirit of this series. But there is still more to this compilation like rhythm and blues sounds by Jimmy Briggs or funky jazz jams in Third Stream's "In A Galaxy Far Away" or Joe B's "The Dude". Every tune features a nice laid back feeling that hides a lot of musical quality to discover and is thus far from any form of the traditional and cheesy easy listening genre.
Get some clips on Soundcloud. Release will be in early September.
Following last year's excellent selftitled EP Toronto's Century Palm are about to drop a new single on the equally excellent Deranged Records.
On the new 7" record you will find the lead single and a second track in "Accept" on the flipside. "Vally Cyan" is another example of the band's unique synthesizer-laden punk sound which is accompanied by a hymn like chorus and a great drive.
Stream or download the track for free on Bandcamp. Vinyl will be available in a few days.
It is not a surprise that Myron & E are not the only acclaimed guest apperances on the upcoming "Soul Rock!" record. The band from Russia also teamed up with Smoove & Turrel, Shawn Lee, Malcolm Catto, JJ Whitefield and Didier of the Soul Investigators. So there really is a lot to look forward to although for now the aforementioned single remains the only single available for streaming. "Soul Rock!" will be out in late September on Ubiquity.
Here's another top class rap release coming to you in the form of an 8-track EP featuring the seriously dope combination of UK producer Configa on the beats NY-based rapper Hastyle.
The name of this funky hip hop-monster is "The Calm Before Hastility" and it's everything that an oldschool b-boy could wish for. Basically this is just about a producer and an MC doing their thing and you can tell that they're enjoying it by the vibes on the tracks. There's a positive and highly entertaining character to every tune on this release which should find a spot in your (digital) record collection very soon. Also look out for the "Hastility" LP coming later this year.
Get some clips on Bandcamp or stream "Wut You Got" in the video below.
The successor of Indian Handcrafts' incredible "Civil Disobedience For Losers" is on its way. "Creeps" will drop in early October this year on Sargent House and it looks like we're in for another heavy gem.
The first single "It's late Queeny" is already available and features everything you love about this band, the heavy riffs, stomping rhythms and harsh vocals. So no surprises so far - but who wouldn't let these guys just do their thing?
If you haven't heard of Cologne's very own Switchstance Records yet then here's your chance to dig into the label's great catalogue. The brand new and absolutely free compilation shows a nice variety of beats, rap and deep vibes.
The names on this one include beatmakers Subrok Mision, Deela, Protassov, Ancient Astronauts, Fat Albert Einstein. Astroboter and Kabanjak who is supported by rapper Azeem on his track "Rhythm".
Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp.
It seems like the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and producer Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77) is always involved in an exciting music project - On the upcoming album "Love & Poverty" he teams up with country/soul voice Jeb Loy Nichols.
With this combination you certainly can't go wrong. Lamdin's on point instrumentation and Nichol's soothing vocals are just a thing of beauty as you can witness in the first single "Walking Over". The album will be released next month on Tru Thoughts.
You just have to love what Denmark's Demon Head are offering on their recent doom rock release. "Ride The Wilderness" is a tribute to the retro rock sound and yet such a unique piece of contemporary rock'n'roll music in itself.
The doom character on this record doesn't evolve through dark or atmospheric moods but more through a Uncle Acid kinda grooving vibes. And without sounding primitive or predictable the songs are surprisingly catchy. So apart from riffs and rumbling rhythms you will also find on point songwriting on "Ride The Wilderness".The number of bands trying to archieve this sound is immense but you rarely hear it executed so exclusively well as in this case.
London-based pianist, composer and member of the great Teotima ensemble Maria Chiara Argirò has just released her new single "Now".
Apparently it is more than just a single since the visual part by My Elastic Brain is playing an equally big part in this release. Arirò's quintet plays a warm and slowly developing tune while dynamic and colourful animations are building on your screen. The band dances freely around a steady piano pattern and transforms "Now" into an exquisite jazz track.
A rock'n'roll heavyweight is about to drop soon on Helmet Lady Records. The two bands Shooting Guns and Hawkeyes combined for an exciting split release named "Brothers Of The Nod" from which you can already stream two tracks.
Both track names, "Mega Volcano" and "Hotter Than One Hundred Suns", equally fit the exquisite cover art and are heavy instrumental rock gems. The drive in Shooting Guns' opening tune is just incredible and a true force that keeps getting more intense every second while Hawkeyes delivers a slower but nonetheless rocking experience.
Get the album in about one week on Bandcamp or stream right now.
There's a reason why Sleep Sinatra is a steady name on this blog and his new release is another proof of his talent.
"As Above" is a five track digital record that comes to you, like most of his stuff, for free. Just like on his recent full-length album the rapper from Lincoln shows some nice and conscious rap skills over atmospheric and laid back beats produced by ICHIBANHASHFACE.
Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp.
There is a reason why The Greg Foat Group marks some of the few contemporary recordings in the Jazzman Records roster. The previous album "Girl And Robot With Flowers" was already an incredible piece of retrofuturistic jazz-soundscapes.
The new record "The Dancers At The Edge Of Time" shows a slightly different approach which is also due to the extravagant recording setting. The preference for analog equipment is accompanied by the special feature of recording in an ancient church at the Isle of Wight. So it's no wonder that a powerful organ is a part of the sound. The tracks are as haunting as the beautiful cover art suggests. A floating character and intense melodies transform every composition into a unique piece of art. But you will also find highly dynamic and classic jazz tune like "Riff for Raff". So this is might not music from outer space but definitely jazz sounds taken to another sphere.
Stream the clips on Soundcloud or listen to the full album on Youtube (for non German users).
"Departure Songs" marks We Lost The Sea's third release
and due to the tragic passing of the band's vocalist it is also their
first instrumental effort. This is the kind of music that comes to you as a sonic trip. It's not
about traditional song structures or fancy riffs - these are authentic
experiences through sound. Just take a listen to the first single "A
Gallant Gentleman" and its calm atmosphere that still seems to bare a
certain tension. The same phenomenon can be witnessed in the following
tracks. It's the kind of music that tends to make you stop whatever
you're doing and get lost in the repetitive yet overwhelming sounds. And
that's the key to the post rock genre that only a few bands are truly
able archieve - being able to repeat and develop simple motives into
massive sonic walls...more
Adam & Cuth - Formwork
Even if you don't remember this little post
I wrote on Adam and Cuth's single "The Look Up" you will surely
remember their new LP "Formwork" once you've given it a spin -
guaranteed. In case you do recall the name of this London based Hip Hop duo you know
that something great is coming your way. Right into the new album
you'll hear another example of producer Cuth's excellent stutter beats
in "Troubles At The Door". "Formwork" features a great variety of beats
and a remarkable use of samples from all kinds of genres. So it's all
set for for the rhymes of Adam the rapper who surely knows how to move
through Cuth's gritty vibes... more
The Sorcerers S/T LP
If you happen to remember an older post on a very special introduction to ATA records you
might be familiar with the name of "The Sorcerers". Because even on
this high quality compilation their two tracks definitely marked some
highlights. Now the dynamic group from Leeds is about to release their debut record
on the very same label. The sound of The Sorcerers is rooted in a very
groovy interpretation of Ethiopian vibes and vintage horror movies. So
the name of the first single "The Horror" doesn't really come as a
surprise. When you know that even Mulatu Astatke is overwhelmed by this
group, you should realize that something big is coming your way. And
everything that you can already listen to is a perfect proof of quality.
You will find excellent grooves, intense vibes and a very dynamic
instrumentalists... more
Speedometer & Junior James - No Turning Back
When London's Speedometer
prepare to release a new record you always have to prepare for a big
tremor in the funk and soul genre. The name of the album is "No Turning
Back" and it is everything you would expect from this ensemble and even
more. The group's version of "Happy" already made the latest Craig Charles
Funk & Soul collection. But aside from stunning instrumentals this
new album awaits with an incredible and fresh voice in James Junior. The
singer who is already compared to the greats of his craft (Donny
Hathaway & Stevie Wonder) puts some nice vibes in the tunes on "No
Turning Back"... more
Paul Nice & Phill Most Chill - Fabreeze Brothers
The word was out long ago that Paul Nice and Phill Most Chill would
collaborate as the Fabreeze Brothers and now the highly anticipated full
length album is finally out on AE Productions. When you see the name of rapper Phill Most Chill on a record you
basically know that you can't go wrong. He certainly enjoys the company
of talented beatmakers like Jorun Bombay, DJ Format
or in this case producer Paul Nice from New York who provides the funky
framework for this album. Positive Old School hip hop vibes with fresh
productions is what the Fabreeze Brothers will bring you... more
Hair Of The Dog - The Siren's Song
With their second album "The Siren's Song" just out on Kozmik Artifactz
Hair Of The Dog from Scotland prepare to create a big impact on the
heavy rock scene. Last year's S/T album by the trio already showcased a
very mature rock sound which now finds an excellent successor in this
new release. Blending sounds of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and numerous 70s rock
acts Hair Of The Dog create their own heavy approach to the stoner
genre. The songwriting is always straight forward and so is the raw
energy behind every riff and the great vocals. A band that just knows
how to produce quality rock and roll music simply doesn't have to
include any extraordinary or surprising elements. With this group you
know what you will get in every song - and you're gonna like it... more
Seattle-based producer and MC Spekulation felt like spreading some positive summer vibes and he definitely did so in his new single "Can't Wait".
The track features vocals/raps by Khingz, Mic Flont and Paolo Escobar who combine for an excellent hip hop collective. You will find everything you need in this tune which is not all about sampling but also includes a violin by Begin Scarseth and bass by Nate Omdal. So you better put this one in your mix and enjoy this time of the year.