Track: Ishmael Ensemble debut ‘Wax Werk’ ahead of expansive new album ‘Visions of Light’.
Bristol experimental jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble debut their expansive new album Visions of Light. The follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2019 debut A State of Flow, garnered the band much deserve praise from the likes of The Guardian, Mojo, The Wire and select presenters across BBC 6Music. Their sophomore record is a clear shift in direction with a focus on expanding what the …
Track: Plastic Skin release dreamy new single, ‘No Plans’
After a year of aimlessly making plans, wether it be work or personal , has proven to be exhausting given the world pandemic. So to finally have an opportunity to not make plans, as things start to open up in the world is a sign of relief. So is the brand new track ‘ No …
Album Review: Serendip Quartet – Queen of Fire; a homage to the Women of Congo.
There is a need to begin this review with a direct quote from its band leader, saxophonist Arnaud Guichard : “This record is dedicated to all the victims of sexual violences in DRC and to Dr. Denis Mukwege and his team who work hard at restoring the pride and dignity of all the victims of …
Track : The Foo Fighters reveal new video for ‘Chasing Birds’
I find myself constantly amazed by the ever impressive David Grohl. Whether you’re a fan or not, whether you supported his musicianship as part of Nirvana or Foo Fighters, he clearly is a musician who knows his strengths and will stop at nothing to challenge his own potential and deliver something that’s authentically his. He’s …
Feature: Joshua Brandler – A Rise in Music Consciousness.
It’s inspiring to witness a rise in conscious music, and I don’t just mean the trend in improvised, free music, in the worlds of jazz, electronica and your almost traditional free improv format. I’m referring to a carefully crafted and consciously aware song form that literally focuses on highlighting community and raising our energies to …
Album Review : Adam Moezinia’s ‘ Folk Element Trio’ – A Sonic Travelogue
New York based guitarist Adam Moezinia first debut album ,’Folk Element Trio’ is what we at Backseat Mafia have suspected it would be , after premiering its single ‘Celebration’ last month : a triumphant celebration. It is a union of global folk traditions featuring elements of Beninese, Malian, Welsh and American folk music in a contemporary …
EP review: Phoebe Bridgers reworks songwriting magic with ‘Copycat Killer’: an EP for dreamers and lovers
ENCOURAGED by the international success of her award-winning and Grammy-nominated album Punisher, the phenomenal Phoebe Bridgers has set out and reworked four tracks off the album into a vinyl release, Copycat Killer. It’s a move seldom seen by singer-songwriters, at least not this early in their career, and on first glance I’m reminded of the …
Album Review: Electro Indie beauty from R Zak ‘s ‘Dialetcs’
Review : 9/ 10 There’s a certain folkloric quality that’s embedded in your mind, as the music shifts from the nuanced beauty to the darker , more solemn places in between. Portland based singer -songwriter R Zak ‘s album ‘Dialects’ is truly a kind of extended passage of discovery, gentle at times then suddenly haunting …
Track: Toumani Diabate & The London Symphony Orchestra debut new track, ‘Elyne Road’
“ELYNE ROAD” is the debut track to premiere from the highly anticipated recording of the masterful collaboration between celebrated kora player Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra. The track is a truly wonderful preview to what’s a rather fascinating combination of West African griot/jeli tradition and the neo-classical brilliance of Western European conservatoire musicians. The LSO does …
Livestream review: Frank Turner & Emily Barker ‘s Overdrive – An Evening Of Duets
It’s Thursday evening, April the 8th. Every day has suddenly felt like a month in itself, as we near the end of a year-long disconnection from the world. I feel the need to say this because : we need live music back. We need to share that magic created instantaneously when performers grace the stage, …