Album review: Alfredito Linares – ‘Vol. 2: The Colombia Years’: packs a punch
NOW HERE’S a tidy little gem from those ever-reliable sound curators Rocafort Records, a second sparkling collection of treasures from the early 70s’ boogaloo explosion courtesy of the sharp-suited composer, band leader and pianist Alfredito Linares. This was a time of the Nuyorican wave, when salsa swept up some rock ‘n’ roll and broke out …
Track: Okute release new track ‘ Quiere La Rumba’ and forthcoming album
In the same way that BCUC went to the root of their roots to inspire some wild new afrobeats, Okute look set to do the same for Cuban music. The eight piece collective of seasoned players, based in Havana, are steeped in rumba/ Son cubano with a focus on the tradition’s afrocentric heartbeat. That may …
Album Review: Mente Organica – ‘El Espacio’
Earthly Measures, the London based DJ and event creating duo, have been carefully and lovingly nurturing their record label through these turbulent times . They’ve put out a couple of compilations, digi-releases and EPs that deliver exquisitely curated global beat music with a leaning towards feet warming new electronica from South America. Now comes news …
EP review: Francesca Ter-Berg – In Eynem: an exploratory cello EP that makes a deep connection
YOU MAY recognise the name Francesca Ter-Berg as the cello side of the leftfield folk classical improv duo Fran and Flora that turned heads a while ago, from Café Oto to Women’s Hour, with their electrifying rejuvenation of Eastern European traditional sounds. That vibrant partnership with violinist Flora Curzon released the impeccably imaginative Unfurl in …
Album review: Crimi – ‘Luci E Guai’: potent fusion music from Julien Lesuisse
THE MOST potent fusion music, the stuff that’s born from experience rather than cooked up as an experiment, comes from travellers in search of sounds. Julien Lesuisse is one such explorer. The vocalist and sax player has been a central player in Lyon’s Mazalda, a band that steadily evolved from jazz messengers to sound system-driven …
Album review: Joao Selva – ‘Navegar’: Latin optimism with endless energy
WELL it looks like the summer vibes may need a little boost this year, so here’s a release that’s set to heat things up. Brazilian troubadour Joao Selva, now based in Lyon, definitely aims to shake us around with his samba infused, funk primed second album, Navegar, available on Underdog records from April 2nd. Born …
See: Crimi bring irresistible global beat to ‘Chi Ci Talia’
FRENCH bands just seem to handle fusion music so naturally. They absorb the sounds around them, let them ferment and then uncork something with familiar flavours and an individual twist. Enter Julien Lesuisse’s new band Crimi, a hard-funk four-piece who draw from the dynamic energy of his previous dance-focused crew Mazalda, the emotion of traditional …
Album review: TOMAGA – ‘INTIMATE IMMENSITY’: a final testament in darkwave from Tom Relleen
TOM RELLEEN was a cornerstone of London’s experimental/electronic music scene. Co-founder of Phonica Records, promoter and prolific musician, he was a hub around which creativity revolved. Forming Tomaga with percussionist Valentina Magaletti in 2013, the duo went on to release six expansive albums as well as boundary-pushing collaborative records with Pierre Bastien and Neil Tolliday. …
EP review: Dundundun – ‘Dundundun’: electronically charged debut from the wild West Country
THE WILD West Country has always taken beats and grooves seriously. From the dub haze agitation of The Pop Group, through Smith & Mighty’s mashed -p visions to trip-hop’s treasure trove and beyond, it’s a place with a sonic core like no other, always bubbling, always explosive. Now courtesy of Bristol sound purveyors Worm Discs …
Track: Hear Koma Saxo’s ‘Fiskeskärsmelodin’, leading for their new live album
FINLAND – the happiest country in the world, apparently … well that’s not really a surprise when they’ve got We Jazz records, the Helsinki-based label, dedicated to keeping pulses racing and minds open. Now comes news of their latest contribution to our wellbeing, a live recording of the potent five piece Koma Saxo captured in …