Crucial Material – Best Releases Of The Week (March 31st, 2019)

Dig, listen, repeat. Too much music too little time.

Thankfully, our Crucial Material is slowly but surely becoming one of the best weekly recaps in the world scanning the hundreds of new releases and sharing only the cream of the crop.

So here we go. Dive in!

NEW ALBUMS & EP’s

Look Like “Garden Of Eden”

Genres: Deep House / Break Beat / Euro House
Label: Royal Oak
Buy: Vinyl

Swiss producer, Luca Duran, lands on Clone’s Royal Oak stamp with his most compelling EP to date. ‘Garden Of Eden’, carries 4 throwback ‘house’ tracks on its back with ease. Meditative ambient acid, rave-y a.m. breaks, and muscular electro-styled Italo are displayed with savvy and prowess befitting an established veteran, yet Look Like is just getting started.
– Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Devin Morrison “Bussin”

Label: NBN Records
Genre: R&B
Buy: Vinyl / Cassette / Digital
Stream: Spotify / Apple Music

If anyone from Florida tells you that something is « Bussin », it simply means that it’s tasty. Orlando-born Devin Morrison’s first solo album on NBN Records, « Bussin » gives you an ill mix of flavors with eclectic inspirations rooted in 90’s R&B, Gospel and Funk. As Devin tweeted, « As long as I’m alive, R&B shall be as well ». The expectations are high for this Floridian creative, and Devin Morrison is here to live up to his own.

Hunnah “Show You EP”

Genre: R&B
Stream: Spotify

Hunnah’s 2018 single “Think About It” was the coldest 90’s style jazzy sample, R&B stunner Aaliyah never got to blow on. From the opening keyboard notes, Hannah’s cup of caramel enunciation takes over and just handles things, really cool yet assertive like. The Toronto based Ethiopian singer just released her 90’s / 00’s R&B inspired EP Show You, and it keeps that huge voice and talent front and center.

Born to two Ethiopian refugee parents who immigrated to Canada, they pushed her into a hardcore life of academics as many immigrant parents do. But music won out. This independent release is a project of complete love for Hunnah who dedicates it to her mother who recently passed away from cancer and is featured on the artwork. Show You is the foundation great careers are built upon.
– Selected by John-Paul Shiver

Shafiq Husayn “The Loop”

Genre: Soul / Cosmic / Spiritual
Label: Eglo Records
Buy: Digital
Stream: Spotify / Apple Music

The Loop’ is the new LP by Los Angeles based polymath Shafiq Husayn, an epic project which saw its inception in 2012 through a series of studio sessions at Shafiq’s home, including collaborations with the likes of Thundercat, Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus, Bilal and Anderson Paak. Amongst a close knit circle of friends and family the golden tones of The Loop were created, deeply rooted in ideas of song, story, history, guidance and spirituality.

Eman “Maison”

Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: 7e ciel
Buy: Digital
Stream: Spotify / Apple Music

REISSUES & ARCHIVAL

Roy Ayers “Silver Vibrations”

Genres: Funk / Boogie
Label: BBE
Buy: Vinyl / Digital
Stream: Spotify

Originally released in the UK only on Uno Melodic Records, the London-based BBE Music label has reissued the much hard-to-find 1983 album ‘Silver Vibrations’ from soul jazz legend Roy Ayers. The seven-track recording is somewhat similar to the vibraphonists’ ‘Lots of Love’ album, also released that same year, yet includes four unique originals and three extended tracks including the funky classic “Chicago.”
– Selected by TJ Gorton

Various “Nigeria 70: No Wahala: Highlife, Afro-Funk & Juju 1973-1987”

Genres: Afro-Funk / Highlife
Label: Strut
Buy: Vinyl / Digital
Stream: Spotify

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the London-based Strut label releases the next chapter in their highly acclaimed ‘Nigeria 70’ series, featuring obscure 70s and 80s Afro-funk, highlife, and juju gems that include strong influences of jazz, soul, disco, and funk. Compiled by collector and DJ Duncan Brooker, the record also features comprehensive sleeve notes that include exclusive interviews with some of the original artists.
– Selected by TJ Gorton

In The Red Volume 2 (Compilation)

Genre: Brit Jazz-Funk / Boogie / Disco
Label: Chuwanaga
Buy: Vinyl / Digital
Stream: Spotify

Parisian label Chuwanaga is really proud to present In The Red : Volume 2, almost a year and a half after the first compilation being released. This second volume still focus on the Britfunk genre – or British Jazz-Funk – mainly produced in London between the end of the seventies and the eighties. It defines a unique mix of Jazz-Funk & Disco including Reggae & Dub techniques from Afro-Caribbean communities who were at the heart of the movement.
– Selected by Walla P

Chris Spheeris & Paul Voudouris “Passage”

Genres: Ambient / New Age / Electronic
Label: Emotional Rescue
Buy: Vinyl

Chuggy’s Emotional Rescue imprint doesn’t need me to sell its wares, nor does it need anyone else to; the catalog sells itself. ‘Passage’, an ambient/new age masterpiece from 1982, is a perfect example of this. Sprawling soundscapes for deep listening, cosmic reflection and luminous observation.
– Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Todd Modes “New Life”

Genres: Acid Jazz / Downtempo / Instrumental Machine Folk
Label: 100 Limousines
Buy: Vinyl

Jazz is certainly ‘cool’ again, but is Acid Jazz ready for a comeback? ‘New Life’ certainly makes a strong case for it. Heady, intimate abstractions are in full bloom on either side of this mini LP from Detroit’s Todd Modes. Harvested from 20 years’ worth of recordings, the collection is unfussy; lulling and languid. From start to finish, the selections are captivating and graceful.
– Selected by Jake Stellarwell