Crucial Material – July 12th, 2020

Too much incredible music and way too little time!

That’s what our weekly record rundown is all about. We comb through the hundreds of new EP’s and Albums every week and share nothing but the crucial releases. In our humble opinion of course!

As always we hope you make some nice discoveries and feel free to encourage these artists/labels if you do! Enjoy and have a great week.

LEFTFIELD – EXPERIMENTS

Jay Glass Dubs – Soma

Judging on the first few spins alone, I would say JGD’s “Soma” will be in my short list for record of the year. A mesmerizing 14 track excursion channeling all of the Athens-based producer’s influences. This record might find its place in the pantheon of dub all-time albums. 
– Selected by Lexis

Gabor Lazar – Source

Budapest’s lord of the braindance returns with another rad 8 track record for Planet Mu, always one of the most forward leaning electronic labels on the planet. For adventurous ears and discerning dancefloors only!
– Selected by Lexis

Anteloper (Jason Nazary & Jaimie Branch) – Tour Beats Vol. 1

Experiments in sound and rhythm from trumpeter Jaimie Branch and drummer Jazon Nazary, pooling their collective electronics and auxiliary percussion. The results recall Miles Davis’ most out-there electric phase and the milieu of exuberant genre-busting music recorded in the wake of punk.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Other super rad releases

RAP – BEATS

Che’ Noir & Apollo Brown – As God Intended

Detroit producer Apollo Brown has put out lots of dope collaboration projects over the years but this album with Buffalo’s MC Che’ Noir might be the best one yet. Mature and Modern at the same time. It pays hommage to the rap gods of the past (check the stellar “94” track based on the Common classic) but still pushes things forward.
– Selected by Lexis

Other super rad releases

JAZZ

Asher Gamedze – Dialectic Soul

Free, spiritual & revolutionary jazz. Cape Town-based drummer, Gamedze, explores Black Consciousness, the violence of colonialism and the importance of movement, on this essential double album, incorporating epic suites, Southern African spirituals and liberation anthems, with the spirit of Biko, Coltrane, Cabral, Makeba & Malcolm.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Nat Birchall – Mysticism of Sound

Saxophonist Nat Birchall takes advantage of this late period of isolation to craft a 100% solo album of deep space jazz, inspired by Sun Ra. Birchall plays it all, tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, Korg Minilogue synth, bass, drums, hand drums, bells and shaker, and conjures a deeply soothing spell on this listener.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Tamar Osborn & Idris Rahman – Conversations

A deep & beautiful album of duo improvisations from two incredible saxophonists. Idris (of Soothsayers, Ill Considered & Wildflower) & Tamar (of Collocutor), breathe new life into the hallowed instrument every time they play. Their talent, creativity and musical chemistry can be found in abundance on this record. 25% of all proceeds will be donated to The Black Curriculum, so your support goes much futher than just the artists.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

SOUL & FUNK

Terrace Martin & Robert Glasper & 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington – Dinner Party

This is the kind of dinner any soulful head would kill for an invite. 4 of the most progressive and accomplished players in the game join forces. No need to give this project labels like “neo-soul” (it’s 2020, not 2002) or mature/grown soul & jazz… it’s just proper. The kind of diner you can invite me to anytime!
– Selected by Lexis

Lynda Dawn & Bes Kept – Roses

Brand new single by London’s rising star Lynda Dawn, produced by ½ of Full Circle (Chuku Records/Toronto), off the compilation “New Tangens in Kampala”. Definitely a collaboration I was looking for. (shout outs to Toronto’s Famous Lee for making it happen).
– Selected by Walla P

Moniquea – Daily Thing (Produced by XL Middleton)

Another hit from the Mo Funk Records duo, who definitely found their winning formula. This one is a cover of “Candle Tribe – Daily Thang”. You’ll be hearing this summer anthem in all my sets!
– Selected by Walla P

Other rad releases

CLUBISMS – HOUSE – TECHNO

Alland Byallo “Dilatant Remixes”

California-born-and-raised DJ-producer Alland Byallo is in a good place these days. ‘Dilatant’, the second single from his Full Bleed label, feat Jazz keyboardist Matt Paull, have three humid swings at broken-beat.  Remixes by House music legend Atjazz, Bruk aficionado James Rudie and Vessa, a talented new producer from Melbourne.
– Selected by Channel Subtext

Other super rad releases

OUTERNATIONAL

Etienne de La Sayette – Kobugi

Solo album from the band leader of Ethiopian groove inspired Akalé Wubé cooks up a playful and original stew drawing on psych, jazz, instruments & inspirations from across Asia and particularly Africa, and hip hop, with the featured MC talents of Chicago’s Racecar.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

V/A – Island Sounds from Japan 2009-2016

A beautiful selection of rare and little known Japanese gems, pushing at the boundaries of psych, jazz, reggae, soca, dub, surf and disco, with a touch of Japanese magic, all discovered and compiled by Time Capsule boss and DJ, Kay Suzuki.  Beautifully remastered and packaged as per the rest of the Time Capsule series. First edition comes with an obi. Don’t miss out! 
–Selected by Oli Brunetti