Crucial Material – April 12th, 2021
Another bumper edition of Crucial Material full of essential listening. This week’s edition proves again that there is still much to explore in the interplay between jazz and electronic music, new forms and old ways, from Kaidi Tatham’s keys & drum programming to Damon Locks coupling live jazz and sampled loops
But there’s a lot more music demanding our attention too, from UK hip hop to broken techno. Here are our favorite EP’s, Albums and Reissues of the past couple of weeks. As always we encourage you to buy digital or physical releases if you discover a release you love. Support artists and labels!
JAZZ
Gary Bartz, Adrian Younge, & Ali Shaheed Muhammad — Jazz Is Dead 6 (JID006)
For the latest Jazz Is Dead release, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad join forces with legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz on a brilliant new album that spans from spiritual grooves to psyched-out jazz-funk. — Selected by TJ Gorton
Kaidi Tatham — An Insight To All Minds
A masterpiece of jazz funk & bruk from the peerless multi-instrumentalist / producer / artist, imbued with hip hop, acoustic bass, and Latin & Brazilian rhythms. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Various (incl. Contours, Werkha, Footshooter & Allysha Joy) — Outlines
As jazz continues its renaissance, its future has never been more exciting; and Outlines is a great demonstration of the talent driving it in new and unexpected directions. — Selected by Jed Hallam
Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble — NOW
Timely listening combining ensemble playing/singing, community activism, archival speech and sampling. True inheritors of independent DIY spiritual jazz of Max Roach, Stata East & Tribe. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Myele Manzanza – Crisis & Opportunity, Vol. 1 – London
An exhilarating record from drummer/composer/producer Myele, arguably his best yet, capturing his unique sound – classic modern jazz, inspired by bruk and beats production. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Gabriel Chakarji, Orestes Gomez & Freddy Adrian – Ciclos EP
Three of the most talented young Venezuelan musicians arranged a one day session to record four original compositions. The result is a stunning take on the traditional jazz trio. — Selected by Miguel Colmenares
Amanda Whiting – After Dark
Harpist Amanda Whiting steps out from the shadows of Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Orchestra to create a sublime harp-led album for Jazzman Records, leading her own accomplished trio in the footsteps of Dorothy Ashby. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
HIP HOP / R&B
Elaquent – Bedtime Stories 2
Night time hypnotic headnodders to let your soul escape confined spaces. Producer Elaquent comes through with the layered samples and intricate drum patterns — Selected by ASMA
CSHMR – ECLOSR
Off kilter RnB musings from this self produced artist who brings a unique sound to his debut album. Mournful yet soulful disjointed production complements the eerie vocals — Selected by ASMA
Narcy – Meme Against the World
Follow Iraqi MC Narcy in his musical deep fake dive; dark web social critique. With sharp lyrics and stellar production from Thanks Joey Narcy offers the full package — Selected by ASMA
Jamvvis & DO the Outcast – Vagabond Deluxe edition
Producer Jamvvis teams up with MC DO the Outcast to pay tribute to their shared love of japanese culture. Dark beats and broody rhymes balance out in this stellar effort — Selected by ASMA
Bxnjamin – EMPYREAN
Cinematic boom-bap from the UK MC/producer. Following February’s beat-tape, Bxnjamin refocuses on the rhymes, over beats by Dela, wun two, Made in M, etc — Selected by Oli Brunetti
S. Fidelity – Fidelity Radio Club
One of Europe’s finest beatmakers is back with an amalgamation of grooves on his latest album. Featuring regular collaborators Bluestaeb, Abase & Melodiesinfonie, get ready for a journey of 80s boogie, 90s soul, sprinkled with a jazzy beats esthetic. — Selected by Spacewalker
Zo! & Tall Black Guy – Abstractions
An exciting collaboration between two prolific artists. The epitome of soulful grooves. With guest appearances from the likes of Omar, Josh Milan & Phonte, you already know it’s a special affair. — Selected by Spacewalker
BRAZILIAN GROOVE
João Selva – Navegar
Selva blends his native Rio jazz funk grooves and bossa, with the versatile talents of French producer Patchworks. Will warm hearts and move feet. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
ELECTRONIC
Prequel – And That’s The Story Of Their Love
The debut album from Melbourne’s Prequel draws in references and influences from a broad musical palette, combining them to turn in a fantastic album that feels like it would feel just as at home in Ronnie Scotts as Corsica. — Selected by Jed Hallam
Kutiman – Surface Currents
Sublime and deeply soothing ambient music from Kutiel, designed as ‘practical music’. Inspired by classical Indian ragas, Terry Riley and William Basinski’s ‘Water Music’. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Skinnybones – SKB04
Colourful yet dusty broken house and techno for your daydreaming sessions. — Selected by dileta
Mlee – Reflejo Sonoro A/B
Monumental bouncy leftfield breakbeat bass for the cyber youth. — Selected by dileta
Black Bones – Night Drives
Colourful yet homogeneous and extremely punchy blend of EBM, techy house, chuggy delights and outernational influences. — Selected by dileta
Black Girl / White Girl – Hyper Reality EP
High speed and high precision techno wigglers! As rave ready as it gets! — Selected by dileta
Kʒːlu – Kʒːlu
A fresh hybrid of jazz, electronica, funk, Afrobeat & more, by West Cork artist, composer & former Soothsayer, Patrick Hatchett. Featuring Soothsayer Idris Rahman on flute. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
DANCEHALL / DUB / REGGAE
King Kong, Little Harry, Super Black & Carl Dawkins – Palenque Rockers Vol 1
Palenque Records record Jamaican legends King Kong, Little Harry, Super Black & Carl Dawkins, over classic riddims. Tweaked, mixed and dubbed Colombian soundsystem style. Vibes! — Selected by Oli Brunetti
