page10.html

nublues (LP)

Joel Ross
Another fine new album by this jazz vibraphonist, on Blue Note. Excellent compositions and playing all the way through, yet again. Read more

Yong-Gwanglo Part One (LP)

Ki!
Awesome funky retro grooves by this Asian-Danish musician & producer. From Ethio-funk and Afrobeat to Asian psych and classic soul, this has a bit of everything, and it's all supremely groovy and funky. Read more

Born of the Sea (CD)

Lara Sarkissian
Fantastic new EP from this former Bay Area resident, now based in LA. Local label Lower Grand Tapes put this one out, and it's a gorgeous mix of densely layered trip hop, ambient electronica, cinematic industrial rhythms, and dark, midtempo club jams. Nice! Read more

Contezza (LP)

Laryssa Kim
Cool debut LP by this Italo-Cogolese composer and vocalist, using layers of her earthy voice to craft a trippy, amorphous kind of ambient soul / electronica. Lots of synths and vocal layers, really unique work. Read more

How Will I Live Without a Body? (LP)

Loma
Another excellent new collection of songs from this Texas band featuring members of Shearwater and Cross Record. Lovely, hushed, intimate folk-rock vibes, with gorgeous female vocals and nuanced arrangements. Read more

Cloudward (LP)

Mary Halvorson
This NYC based guitarist continues to grow and explore her craft, both as a composer and an instrumentalist. She's one of the more interesting artists in the jazz realm today, and this new one on Nonesuch continues to show her quality chops as a writer and bandleader. Read more

Mi Latinoamerica Sufre (LP)

Meridian Brothers
This Colombian group is back with another awesome album of quirky modern salsa, cumbia, and more. They continue to mine the fertile field of music from their home country, adding their own weird edge via unique production techniques. They are also the sole modern band to release new music on legendary latin music label Ansonia since 1990, bringing it back in style! Read more

Forest Scenes (LP)

MIZU
Gorgeous, cinematic, ambient cello suite, with electronic touches and a remarkable sense of melody. Read more

Nosthaigia (LP)

Onra
Killer new title that features Onra's distinct blend of asian samples and hip hop grooves. This time around, it's Thai folk and pop music, which blend with his banging boom bap beats. Yes! Read more

Caracoles (LP)

Orquesta Akokán
Another fantastic album from this modern group that crafts classic sounding mambo and salsa for a large ensemble. The arrangements are as classy as ever, and the tunes, playing, and recording are top notch too. Classic Cuban flavors a la Perez Prado, Beny Moré, Tito Puente, and so many other all-time greats. Bueno! Read more

New Strategies For Modern Crime Volume 1 & 2 (LP)

Prefuse 73
Two spectacular new albums packed with classic crime soundtrack vibes, from Guillermo Scott Herren. Like a chameleon, he keeps changing his sound to reflect his current interests and inspirations, and these new volumes are some of the best work he's done yet. Read more

Colours & Light (LP)

Project Gemini
Great new psychedelic rock grooves, combined with nods to vintage soundtracks, library music, acid-folk, classic funk, and more. Sounds both retro and current, this pleasantly trippy voyage is a really great listen from start to finish. Read more

Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain (LP)

Raveena
Beautiful mellow neo-soul from this lovely Indian-American singer. Hints of other genres make this an interesting listen, but it's her sweet, soulful vocals that steal the show here and tie it all together beautifully. Read more

Exploring Together (LP)

Saphileaum
Magnificent new LP by this producer from Georgia (the one in Eastern Europe). Mellow organic grooves with nice ambiance and some global elements (scales, rhythms). For me, already a big fan, this is his best release yet! Read more

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (LP)

Shabaka
Now dropping both his last name (Hutchings) and his previous main instrument (sax) to primarily focus on flute & clarinet, this revered UK jazz man travels to new terrain here on this solo LP. With plenty of guests such as Carlos Nino, Jason Moran, Esperanza Spalding, & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, he creates a softer, floatier, more global vibe than his previous work with Shabaka & The Ancestors, Sons of Kemet, & The Comet Is Coming. Read more

Small Medium Large (LP)

SML
This one caught me by surprise... I usually dig everything on the mighty International Anthem label, but this quintet's debut is next level! Covering ground from funky Herbie Hancock type zones and Fela-ish afrobeat grooves to wilder modern electronic terrain and the soulful side of Art Ensemble of Chicago's bluesy freeform improv, this is a masterpiece of modern music. Referential and reverential but never sounding cliché, this is a fantastic debut from bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Read more

I Too Am A Stranger (LP)

The Sorcerers
Another terrific release by this Leeds trio, blending their funky influences to create the perfect hybrid of Afrobeat, Ethio-funk, classic US soul, library exotica, and sweeping 1970s soundtrack vibes. Non-stop grooves with exotic harmonies and memorable melodies... Nice! Read more

Queen of Eyes (CD)

West of Roan
A couple living on an island off the coast of Washington crafted this earthy, rustic folk gem indebted to classic UK folk, old ballads, and mythology. It's truly lovely, their boy/girl harmonies just the right amount of raw and polished. Wonderful stuff, for mellow moods when you have a craving to hear a pair of voices interlock in beautiful harmony. Read more

Maisha (LP)

Zawose Queens
Brand new debut that spotlights the timeless traditional folk music from Tanzania. Created by this mother and daughter duo (who are a daughter and granddaughter of Tanzanian musical legend Hukwe Zawose), there's a real magic to this material. Ancient African zones rich with history and substance, and released on Peter Gabriel's Real World label. Read more

Pinball (CD)

MIKE
MIKE has been on a crazy generational run. This project is just ridiculous how hard it goes. It's no small achievement the way he's bringing together worlds that may seem like polar opposites via music. No performative bs, just genuine and undeniable good energy. Read more