January went by like a dream with an eclectic soundtrack, suited for different parts of this month’s plot. The BPM’s changed through 50 tracks and with them the vibes flowed up and down in a frenzy way. Just like those escalators in the picture, full of people, crossing Hong Kong, a world away from here.
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The Paradox Ensemble was formed in 2013 by trumpeter Nick Walters, bringing together some of his closest musical collaborators from various projects he was involved in. After a debut release entitled Entanglement on Efpi Records, the project returns with the album Awakening, released by 22a.
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Jazzvolution is a series of instrumental compilations which explore the deep connections between hip hop and jazz. Each compilation focuses on the progression of the art of beatmaking. The Chapter Two of the series arrives 5 years after the first one, featuring a well selected cast of talents.
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From an artist in his seventies, you probably wouldn’t expect to hear an album like this. Coming out next friday, Poison Fruit is Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti - one third of cult Rio jazz-funk trio Azymuth - first solo album in over twenty years, mixing a traditional samba compass with jazz influences and space age electronics.
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No More Normal, coming out next friday, is Swindle’s highly awaited album, released by the magnificent Brownswood Recordings. His artistry reaches a superb level, grasping the different sides of the vivid UK music scene.
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Urban Waves Records proudly introduces us to Organic Pulse Ensemble, a modern jazz "onesemble" from Sweden. Each song is organically created, written and every instrument is recorded live. Everything done by one person.
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Stomping Off From Greenwood highlights Ward’s skills as a writer and arranger with a set of eight new compositions that explore this unique two-guitar instrumentation, which blends the acoustic and electronic sonic worlds.
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Jazz re:freshed is releasing its latest album on the 5ive EP series, this time focusing on the talent of London-based trombonist and producer Rosie Turton. After exploring the eclectic music scenes of London and New York to the Himalayas of India, the EP showcases her individual and unique voice as a performer.
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The best we've heard and wrote about during this month. December brought us the electronic vibes of Prequel, Kamaal Williams, Contours, Kaidi Tatham Mark de Clive-Lowe or Vertiqua. We felt that jazz never left them and they keep driving us to it in modern forms.
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Originally released as a 5 track EP in early 2011, Mark de Clive-Lowe reissues Leaving this Planet as a full length compilation. Collaborations, one-offs, B-sides, remixes and other bonuses from the LA-based renowned producer.
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Pianist and producer Kamaal Williams (a.k.a. Henry Wu) is releasing tomorrow a new 12″’ featuring two tracks - “New Heights” and “Snitches Brew”. He continues to flow creativity and new perspectives within his influences of 70’s jazz, hip hop and electronic bounce.
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A cold November went by under the hundreds of warm sounds that trembled through our walls. Picking the best photographs after a month’s hiatus, we also carefully selected 70 tracks reviewing the best we've showcased in here during this month.
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Lights on a collaborative project between the Polish jazz septet EABS and Tenderlonious. Kraksa/Svantetic is a special first-take record released with the quality stamp of 22a. For jazz aficionados.
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Far Out Recordings drops another overlooked masterpiece from one of the greatest minds in brazilian instrumental music. Pedra do Espia is edited for the first time in vinyl format, reminding us about the infinite gold produced in Brazil on the past decades.
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Maisha, a six-piece group led by bandleader Jake Long, bring a fresh outlook to the weighty spiritual jazz tradition. The musicians’ improvisational instincts make There Is A Place feel like an adventurous journey through secret lands.
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A masterpiece of hip Brazilian swing, Ataque reflects the deeper, groovier side of that magical, hazy sound of sixties Rio de Janeiro, with sweet samba scents backing big brass arrangements and scorching organ solos.
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Paris-born, New England-raised, long-time Chicago-residing Makaya McCraven has been at the forefront of genre-redefining movements in jazz since 2015, when he introduced the world to his unique brand of “organic beat music” on the breakout album In The Moment. There’s a lot to unpack in Universal Beings, his latest project.
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There’s always an unmistakable texture of funk, boogie, soul and jazz in Kaidi Tatham’s sound. His latest EP, In My Life, that follows the LP It’s A World Before You released this year, shows him dominating his keys and his drum-cut-drum trademark progression.
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Before going on a month’s hiatus, o sótão keeps on playing some of the best new artists releasing innovative and exciting projects. the playlist of September contains 50 tracks reviewing the best we've showcased in here during this month.
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Pour Un Homme Seul is a cathartic exploration of the spiritual world of jazz and the healing force within. The five tracks that compose it explore a mixture of colors produced by classical-jazz instrumentation and a soulful electronic approach to the productions and beats.
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