Album Review : The Circling Sun – Spirits: The esteemed NZ jazz collective’s long-awaited debut more than delivers.
New Zealand spiritual jazz collective The Circling Sun have taken the long and winding road to releasing their first album ‘Spirits’ (available now on the ever-reliable Soundway Records). Drawn from the confluence of various Auckland/ Tamaki Makarau bands, this fluid congregation of jazzers, record collectors, producers and DJs have been converging for near two decades …
Album Review: Elegua/Elegua : a long lost Latin Jazz treasure that resonates beyond its history.
After the ultra-hip Virgilio Armas re-issues last year Toronto crate curators extraordinaire We Are Busy Bodies are on the case again, excavating the rich seams of Latin-jazz heritage with an enticing Venezuelan focus. The result of their latest exploration is the re-release on May 19th of Latin jazz collective Elegua’s significant and exceptionally sought after …
Album Review : Raffy Bushman – Silver Lines : a reviving reminder of the beauty of bop told with a new dynamic.
London based jazz pianist, composer and music educator Raffy Bushman has resumed his annual message to the listening public with the ‘Silver Lines’ EP, available through Bridge The Gap, and looks set to add more credit to his burgeoning reputation. Following two sharp focused piano trio albums, 2020’s ‘Look Up’ and ‘Beginner’s Mind’ from 2021 …
Album Review: Colloboh – ‘Saana Sahel’: The electronic musician makes a creative leap on his expansive second EP.
Since joining the Leaving Records community in 2021 after a move from his Baltimore home, Collins Oboh (aka Colloboh) has become significant contributor to the ever fluid LA experimental scene. Able to focus on his music full-time the Nigerian born, self-taught synthesist set out to refine his extensive catalogue of DIY recordings into a more …
Album Review : Matthewdavid – Mycelium Music: A beguiling ambient sound maze with a magical pull.
Matthewdavid has been at the hub of LA’s Leaving Records community since 2008, co-founding the label with artist Jesselisa Moretti and steadily releasing his own music through the portal over the years. His roots may have been in the underground and electronic hip-hop scene but his output through Leaving has primarily explored more fluid, hypnotic …
Album Review: aus -‘Everis’: a serene and subtle post-classical work of distinction from the illusive Japanese composer.
Sometimes an album just sneaks up on you. Tokyo musician Yasuhiko Fukuzono maybe prolific as a producer, sound artist and curator of the renowned electronic music label FLAU but his solo releases in the guise of aus are rare. Sure there was the pan-global richness of the ‘Until Then’ twelve inch in February this year …
Album Review: MADELEINE – Sun Daughter EP : an intimate future soul statement, sparkling with intensity.
The nu-soul universe can seem dense at times, packed with talented starlets who often shine for the briefest spell. Standing out takes extra energy and individuality, a spark of distinction. The signs are that London based singer, songwriter and keyboardist MADELEINE has such chemistry and an astute creativity that warrants continued attention. Her debut solo …
Track/Video: Peace Flag Ensemble preview their exhilirating new album ‘Astral Plains’ with the deep beauty of ‘You Can’t Pin Joy Like A Moth’.
Now here’s a follow up that has been much anticipated. The experimental jazz collective Peace Flag Ensemble have announced the arrival of their sophomore album ‘Astral Plains’ via We Are Busy Bodies on 14th July. This fluid group of Saskatchewan musicians, first convened by ambient sound artist Michael Scott Dawson and pianist Jon Neher, take …
Track/Video: Esteemed NZ spiritual jazz collective The Circling Sun preview the refreshing ‘Kohan’ from their long-awaited debut album ‘Spirits’
Playing the long game, letting the sounds ferment, whatever way you look at it, New Zealand spiritual jazz collective The Circling Sun seem to prefer any long and winding road. After two decades of playing together and gradually building on their live reputation as show stealers, this fluid congregation of jazzers, record collectors, producers and …
Track/Video: We Are Busy Bodies to re-issue more seventies Latin Jazz treasure, the self-titled sole release from big band progressives Elegua.
We Are Busy Bodies are on the case again, dipping into the firmament of Latin-jazz heritage. After the ultra-hip Virgilio Armas re-issues last year (check the Backseat Mafia review from October), the label has kept up its Venezuelan focus and dug deep to re-release Elegua’s enticingly rare self-titled album on May 19th. Originally out in …