world fusion
Album Review : Lucas Santtana – O Paraiso : Sophisticated samba pop that goes deeper
It seems a long while since Lucas Santtana first pushed to the front of listening lists beyond the Bahia with his first Mais Um releases. The natural flow of his songs, his giddy experimentation and ability to dig the finest grooves may have come as a surprise at the time but with a back story …
Track/Video: ‘Go-to’ instrumentalist Amir Yaghmai slips into the solo spotlight with ‘White Turtleneck’ from soon come debut ‘Go Bozo’.
Don’t you just love labels that do things differently? LA’s Colorfield Records are on a mission driven by the search for spontaneity, coaxing consummate musicians from session and backing bands to step out of the shadows themselves and record their own music. Plus to add more energy to the proceedings, the debutants are encouraged to …
Track/Video: Sao Paulo soul on the rise -Tagua Tagua releases sultry cut ‘Tanto’ ahead of new album announcement.
It feels like a new wave of Brazilian pop is about to break. This year we have seen Sessa’s lush neo-tropicalia impress widely with the release of his beguiling ‘Estrella’. Now comes news from renowned global dance pace-setters Wonderwheel Recordings of the spring album release by Felipe Puperi (a.k.a Tagua Tagua). Acclaimed in his home …
Album Review: Nyati Mayi & The Astral Synth Transmitters -‘Lulanga Tales’: electro- African fusion that reaches higher.
Some people are extraordinary singers and some people have extraordinary voices. As a vocalist Nyati Mayi probably falls into the latter bag, able to project a stunning range of notes, tones, textures and feelings often within the same song. The thing with an extraordinary voice is that sometimes it needs grounding, a foundation that prevents …
EP- Kiwi artist Muroki woos us with the smooth roots sound of ‘Heading East’
Spring is here, the peach blossoms are starting to bloom and Aotearoa is finally free from Covid restrictions. Somehow, this is the perfect backdrop for the release of 21 year old New Zealand artist Muroki‘s second EP, Heading East. Picture yourself driving on an open road with the windows down, the sun on your face …
New Track/Video: Fiery fusion ensemble M.CHUZI serve up ‘Mammoet’ – steamy multi-grooves from their soon come album ‘Papara’
You may have clocked the announcement on Backseat Mafia a couple of days ago about Stellar Legions debut release and Sdban Records Autumn offensive . In hot pursuit comes news of a second mighty push to keep the imprint’s jazz momentum rolling, the mega-octet M.CHUZI’s breakout LP ‘Papara’ due 4th November. Giles Peterson endorsed, this …
Track/video: Electronic Afro-futurist partnership Nyati Mayi & The Astral Synth Transmitters preview the rootsy ‘Try Sunshine’ ahead of debut album ‘Lulanga Tales’.
When curious minds eventually meet, things usually happen. Multi-instrumentalist/singer Nyati Mayi and DJ/producer soFa elsewhere (aka The Astral Synth Transmitters) may circulate within the wild oscillations of the Brussel’s experimental electronica scene but it took the relative isolation of the 2020 lockdown to bring the pair together. One of the many musical snapshots Nyati posted …
Album Review: BKO – Djine Bora : explosive rock with Malian roots – magic direct from Bamako
BKO are a band with stamina and staying power who have been needling for attention on the global beat circuit for getting on ten years. Formed in Bamako in 2012 by master percussionist Ibrahima Sarr and his then drum pupil, Frenchman Aymeric Krol, the band soon expanded to a five piece with the introduction of …
Album Review: Sessa – ‘Estrela Acesa’ : re-imagining Tropicalia with seductive Brazilian pop.
You would be wrong to lazily pass off Sessa’s music as laid back or simply chilled. For sure his sound-world is luxurious and something to recline into but drifting off is not what’s intended here. As Sessa, Sergio Sayeg entwines the pulse and poetry of classic Brazilian pop with psychedelic fluidity and tight-hipped acoustic funk. …
Album Review: TC & The Groove Family – ‘First Home’: global beat today-jazz with a collective spirit.
Well Worm Discs may have started out as an outpost for Bristol-centric nu- jazz expressionism (Snazzback Run Logan Run, Dun Dun Dun, the luscious ‘New Horizons’ compilation album etc.) but the signs are that this very particular underground is working its way beyond the wild west. There’s been excursions to Glasgow with Corto Alto’s soul …