Crucial Material — June 21st, 2021
Another bumper edition of Crucial Material full of essential listening.
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
Jaubi — Nafs at Peace
Lahore’s JAUBI explore the spiritual self (“Nafs”) via Indian classical, modal/spiritual jazz & Cadet-esque soul arrangements, with Tenderlonious on flute & Latarnik on keys. Future Classic! — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Nubya Garcia — Source = Our Dance
Last year’s highly-acclaimed debut album from London saxophonist Nubya Garcia gets reworked on this limited RSD release, featuring remixes from some of the most forward-thinking producers of today, including Makaya McCraven, DJ Tahira, Mark de Clive-Lowe, and Shy One. — Selected by TJ Gorton
sneaky jesus — For Joseph Riddle
Exciting debut LP from the Polish quartet, drawing on their rich jazz heritage & the contemporary scene, and the breakbeat-orientated styles of UK/US jazz. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Athletic Progression — Cloud High In Dreams, But Heavy In The Air
High energy precession jazz, influenced by and created for the dancefloor, and the beat addicts. Surely one for Yussef Kamaal fans. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Ron Everett — Glitter of The City
Originally self-released on a limited shoestring budget, UK’s Jazzman Records has reissued trumpeter Ron Everett’s 1977 obscure soul jazz “holy grail” album ‘Glitter Of The City’. Definitely one of the greatest reissues you’ll ever come across, period. — Selected by TJ Gorton
James Brandon Lewis, Patrick Holmes, Ches Smith & Josh Werner – Resilient Vessels, Live At The Cell
Free improv & jazz from the book of Trane, Ayler, Cherry, etc, some vibes from a Tribe and downtown edge from one HOT quartet. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Yelfris Valdés — For The Ones … Remixed
Cuban-born London-residing trumpeter Yelfris Valdés’ breakthrough 2019 debut album ‘For The Ones …’ receives the full-on remix treatment from an incredible cast of groundbreaking producers, including Quantic, K15, LCSM (aka IG Culture), Osunlade, Maxwell Owin, and Contours. — Selected by TJ Gorton
Wildflower — Better Times
Essential free exploration of groove and melodic expression from Idris Rahman, Leon Brichard & Tom Skinner. Perfect first outing for Mafalda’s new Tropic of Love imprint. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Ruby Rushton – Gideon’s Way
The Tenderlonious-led quartet returns with a 4-track EP as a teaser for their forthcoming album. The new wave of brit jazz at its finest. — Selected by Spacewalker
Rebecca Vasmant – From Glasgow, With Love
Meditative, ethereal, practically beatless, dare-I-say spiritual jazz from Glasgow’s Rebecca Vasmant and her ensemble, numbering the likes of Dave Koor, Paix & Harry Weir. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
ELECTRONIC
Karima F — Fief Fef
Fun, colourful and meticulous synco-bass hip-shakers that you won’t soon forget! TIP! — Selected by dileta
Lemna — Mantis 05
Circular spectral dance music at various speeds and moods linked by consistent head-spinning high frequency details and enthralling drum patterns. — Selected by dileta
Citizen Boy — Wednesday Morning
Imposing gqom anthems by one of the stalwarts of the genre. “Baby Pluto” could be one of the heaviest gqom tunes ever. — Selected by dileta
subbassal tendencies — solitude on permafrost
Scissored sharp and glacial techno slammers with the usual playfulness that is expected from Nagata Daisuke. — Selected by dileta
Naum Gabo — Ana One
Career-spanning (so far) comp filled to the brim with glimmering synthy EBM, leftfield new wave, slow house, broken techno and ambient gems. The new mastering sounds wonderful! — Selected by dileta
SOUL
Mndsgn — Rare Pleasure
Ringgo is back! Mndsgn takes it up a notch as his sound continues to evolve on one of the albums of 2021. — Selected by Spacewalker
H.E.R — Back of My Mind
RnB rising star H.E.R drops a close to perfect, front-to-back burner featuring the likes of Thundercat, Kaytranada and Cordae. Add it to the Album of the Year list ASAP. — Selected by ASMA
OUTERNATIONAL
Burkina Azza — Wari bô
Brilliant debut LP from Burkina Faso based band. Beautiful, propulsive and balafon heavy. Traditional and contemporary griot-rooted music from the Djibasso region. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
Various Artists — Club Coco
Essential collection of experimental tropical sounds. Compiled by DJ, Worldwide FM host & artist, Coco María. Featuring La Perla, Meridian Brothers, Alex Figueira, & Frente Cumbiero. — Selected by Oli Brunetti
