Pan Amsterdam is back with his second album, titled HA Chu. Now the oddity is back and being playful with help from Jason Williamson (Sleaford Mods), Jimi Goodwin (Doves) under his new Producer guise, Coup Diablo, the Parisian sensation/Producer Guts.
Sons of Mali. Groundbreaking Artists. Refugees. Virtuosos. Survivors. Rock Stars. Unforgettable and undeniable, Songhoy Blues represent the future of African rock n’ roll and release their third album, Optimisme, out on Transgressive Records.
Nimbus Sextet are a major new talent on the UK Jazz scene. Led by pianist / keyboardist Joe Nichols, the Glaswegian contemporary jazz outfit play infectiously original music that spans the musical spectrum. Nimbus Sextet’s fresh take on jazz blends instantly relatable melodic hooks with driving grooves, sophisticated musicianship and episodic compositions.
John Frusciante releases the first instrumental electronic album under his own name on Aaron Funk’s Timesig label. The record is dedicated to his cat Maya who recently passed away, a fellow traveller in his otherwise solitary music making sessions. Maya is inspired by John’s favourite music: ’91 to’96 UK breakbeat hardcore and jungle. It’s a varied and personal take with sophisticated, authentic production balanced against John’s acute sense of melody, an inspired blending of machines and samples infused with a joyful energy. “I don’t have that interest in singing or writing lyrics like I used to. The natural thing when I’m by myself now, is to just make music like the stuff being released this year. I really love the back and forth with machines and the computer.” The fun he’s having on ‘Maya’ is infectious.
To mark this year’s Piano Day and as an acknowledgement to these unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, Nils Frahm surprised the world with a collection of eight solo piano pieces, titled Empty.
Clobberin ya face wit cricket bats, “EH?” is BILL SHAKES ode to his home, Blackburn Town! With his northern flow waxing poetic about pub crawls, stodgy scran, a Blackburn Rovers legend, hookers, drugs and UFOs, Shakes paints a Bosch-like vision of hell n heaven. Lee Scott & Jack Chard craft a collage of sonic backdrops that are dark & often surprising! Jam Baxter lends belting support too!
Gorillaz started the year with Episode 1 – Momentary Bliss ft. slowthai and Slaves – off Song Machine, a whole new concept from one of the most innovative bands around. Now, six episodes in, Noodle, 2D, Murdoc and Russel have visited Morocco and Paris, London and Lake Como, as well as travelling all the way to the moon, and Gorillaz is ready to bring you the full collection titled Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez.
Group is the new collaboration project between two legends of British-roots Hip Hop; Jehst & Lee Scott. The two heavyweights have formed a new duo and teamed up for a series of projects that will be rolled out over the coming months. The first single from the first project is ‘Everything I Know’ featuring a future legend in the making; Lord Apex.
Sparkle Division - To Feel Embraced
After years of producing and mentoring slews of young artists in 1990s Williamsburg, Brooklyn, William Basinski moved to Los Angeles. There he hired a young studio assistant, Preston Wendel, who eventually introduced his own works to the curious composer. That spawned a creative partnership that inspired Wendel to persuade Basinski to haul out his saxophone. Five years later, Sparkle Division has arrived with their enchanting debut album, To Feel Embraced.
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad Present: Jazz Is Dead Volume 3 - Marcos Valle
The third release from Jazz Is Dead records is features Marcos Valle, one of the greatest and most important composers, arrangers, writers and performers in Brazilian history. A jack of all trades, Valle has produced works in many musical styles, includingbossa nova, samba, and fusions of rock, soul, jazz, and more. Composed and produced by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad and recorded in the Linear Labs analog studio.
