After playing a number of highly individual interpretations of some jazz legends the ASA Trio from Iceland just released their first album packed with original compositions.
From the first note "Craning" conveys a playful and positive character. There might not be a bass in this Trio's sound but an omnipresent Organ played by Agnar Már Magnússon, Andrés Thor's guitar and Scott McLemore on drums. Not your typical jazz trio formation but one that works very good on this record as it works its way through interesting rhythms in "MC Lemur", quiet moods in "Green Door" and joyful notes in the opener "Something To Make You Change Your Mind". The dynamic character of the tunes really makes this a very entertaining and enjoyable record while it balances between traditional jazz characteristics and a modern approach.
A few weeks ago Emma Donovan & The Putbacks realeased the first track off their new record "Dawn". Now you can listen to the whole thing which is quite a remarkable soul album featuring an incredible voice and a dynamic band from Melbourne.
Somehow this is some kind of a classic soul record but somehow the approach of this group is a little bit unique in every track. You will hear no brass sections but stomping rhythms that remind you of rock tunes. Still, the music never sounds raw or fierce, there's still this mellow soul feeling in each of the 9 tracks. "Daddy" still remains one of the strongest tracks with its dynamic and psychedelic character among other tracks like "Black Woman" or "Mother".
Producer Slimkat and rapper yU teamed up for one of the freshest Hip Hop releases you've heard in a while. The album "People Of Today" was released recently by the great folks of the Mello Music Group, who also supported yU's record "The Earn" a few years ago.
On previous releases you could already hear the talent of the Diamond District MC. On this one he can basically do no wrong since Slimkat's beats are always on point and well produced. The excellent use of samples create the perfect playground for the positive rap character that this album is conveying. There is a lot to like about the total 18 tracks on "People Of Today". Tracks like "One-Nine-7-T-8", "Without A Clue" or "FAR" are an perfect example of what I'm talking about. Hip Hop with a lot of soul and an album that shows no weaknesses from the first till the last note.
Get the full stream on Bandcamp and watch the video for "Without A Clue".
If someone would ask me for my favourite folk and country songs, Blaze Foley's "Clay Pigeons" would surely make the top 5. Still, this man's music never really got the attention it deserved, so it's a nice to see a label like eliterecords releasing some of Foley's early recordings in "Sittin' By The Road".
Here you will find a raw version of some of his best and well known songs. There's a lot of blues and a kind of bold melancholy in the tunes by the man who was friends with the biggest country artists in the business.
The release will be early 2015. Get more informations at the label's homepage.
The freshest Hip Hop Soul combination aka Soul Rev from the French west
coast is back. "Soul Rev Strikes!" is the successor of lasts years "One More Time" by the dynamic producer duo Brother Lion and Dreego. Again its that positive Neo-Soul and Rap flavour that flows through
every track on this record. The numerous guest appearances by Nuclear,
D’oz, Natty & Blew,
Low, Juice, P. Lasret and many more put that exquisite vocal flow in
Soul Rev's sound. Raps in french, english or spanish and soothing soul
singing - it all blends together perfectly on this album...more
Mt. Mountain - EP
Mt. Mountain is a five piece rock band from Perth that will take you on
an intense psychedelic trip. Combining interesting moods with a floating
blues character this group really creates an indivdual approach to the
rock genre. Their latest release which is plainly entitled "EP" features five
excellent tracks. From the start this record knows how to impresss with a
kind of mood that will be your best friend while relaxing or a late
night's drive...more
Wordsworth & Hex One - Buy Time
The new single "Buy Time" by Wordsworth is an incredible laid back rap track with jazz
samples and great production by Monowax. The virtual B-side features an
equally impressive tune in "Soul on Paper" by Hex One. Emotional lyrics
over a dusty and grooving beat make this one a real stunner. Take this
small release as an introduction to more great rap music you will
explore through these artists and this label...more
Native North America (Vol. 1): Aboriginal Folk, Rock and Country 1966-1985
There is no doubt that Light In The Attic Records releases some of the best compilations out there - just take the their Stax selection or the Country Funk series as an example. The latest project focusses on North American records from the 1966-1985 period. Kevin “Sipreano” Howes is the man who traveled and collected these 34 records for about 15 years for this excellent sampler. A lot of the tunes you will hear on this one never made it out of their
local communities. Various genres like folk, country, rock and other
native sounds make this record not only a documentation of a country's
music history but also some great melodies, melancholic moods and
original rock music....more
Julia Kadel Trio - Im Vertrauen
With Kekko Fornarelli, The North or Gogo Penguin
this year has already some terrific albums by piano jazz trios but let
me just add another one coming from Germany. Julia Kadel released her
debut "Im Vertrauen" this summer featuring Steffen Roth on Drums and
Karl-Erik Enkelmann on Bass. You will find a lot of song-like compositions on this record that often
blend into solo passages in which every member exactly knows how to fit
into his or her role. While the focus rests on Kadel's piano she
frequently makes room for her fellow musicians to play a more dominant
part. "Im Vertrauen" showcases a perfect balance between solid
songwriting and a dynamic playfulness, between the planned and the
improvised...more
Sioux - The One And The Many
The first thing you will notice listening to this album is its bold
approach to heavy riffs and slow stomping rhythms. Tracks like
"Faithless" are the perfect example of how easy songwriting can be if
you just put the right effort in the way you execute. But don't get me
wrong, there are some great guitar and vocal harmonies on this LP and
this band is never shy of creating some haunting psychedelic moods.
Maybe it is even that crack between the slow heavy and the quiet
(somehow still heavy) that makes this album so spectacular. Or maybe
it's not that complicated at all and it's just great and intense rock
music...more
Early 2015 will see a new chapter of Renegades Of Jazz' career as a top class producer and remix specialist. A complete album named "Paradise Lost" will be released in mid January through Agogo records.
Thinking of the music usually created by David Hanke aka Renegades Of Jazz you wouldn't typically assume the dark moods that this new cover art is conveying. But inspired by a John Milton poem this is exactly what the tunes on this record are striving for. You will still hear the signature ROJ uptempo style beats but this time clothed in a different uniform, just as you can experience on the first single "Fire". "Paradise Lost" will also see the appearance of numerous talented singers and rappers like Jane Kennaway, Karin Ploog, Aspects and Mr. Bird's partner in crime Greg Blackman. A lot of music and musicians to look forward too.
Get a first impression of "Paradise Lost" on Agogo's Bandcamp.
There is no doubt that Light In The Attic Records releases some of the best compilations out there - just take the their Stax selection or the Country Funk series as an example. The latest project focusses on North American records from the 1966-1985 period.
Kevin “Sipreano” Howes is the man who traveled and collected these 34 records for about 15 years for this excellent sampler. A lot of the tunes you will hear on this one never made it out of their local communities. Various genres like folk, country, rock and other native sounds make this record not only a documentation of a country's music history but also some great melodies, melancholic moods and original rock music. And the best part about it is that it looks like this is only part one in an incredible new series.
Get an idea of the tracks on the label's homepage and stream Willie Dunn's opener below.
