MOOD morrrning

A smoothed out, catchy little downtempo bobber from a cool late-winter night in The Vault.  Makaya bounces on a flammed rimshot, Abrams jumps in quickly with some nice bass chords, Justefan colors the progression with his singing vibraphone harmonies, and Marquis tops it all off with a gorgeous trumpet melody and solo verse.

Recorded on March 5th, 2014 by Dave Vettraino.  Personnel: Makaya McCraven - drums, Joshua Abrams - bass, Justin Thomas - vibraphone, Marquis Hill - trumpet.

Steppe Smoothe

Peace Lily

Toki (feat. Brandonlee Cierley)

This one was an unexpected treat. Two of our favourite contemporary musicians, Finn Rees & Sholto coming together and collaborating on a double dose of celestial, cinematic alchemy.

At Mr Bongo we are massive admirers of drummer, musician, and producer Sholto (Oscar Robertson). His two albums on Funk Night Records and DeepMatter Records, had both been highlights of their respective years. We’d gotten to know Oscar and sent him a few records. Included in the package was Australian pianist-composer Finn Rees’ debut album, Dawn Is A Melody, which was one of our favourite releases on Mr Bongo in 2024.

In Oscar's words 'For me it was a standout modern jazz record - encapsulating a spiritual / hazy dreamy soundscape which hugely resonated with me. Glissando keys and harp with lush melodies, I was instantly intrigued.”  

The pair started following each other online and as luck would have it, Finn was staying in London for the summer season, so they arranged to meet. The pair instantly clicked and said it felt like they'd known each other for years. After 40 minutes of chatting, they started to jam. 

'Love In Memory' and 'Bluebell' were recorded over two days - a track a day in Oscar's SFJ studios. Laid down on mostly analogue equipment, the pair utilised Wurlitzer’s, mellotrons, and ribbon mics through Oscar’s ‘70s Studer desk. Composed and crafted without any real intentions, other than a shared appreciation for the same style of music and approach, the tracks started to take shape. The results were as lush, nostalgic and textured as you’d expect from these two brilliant musicians, with a classical feel inspired by artists such as Piero Piccioni, Piero Umiliani, and Henry Mancini. 

For the beautiful string arrangements, the pair recruited the talents of Sholto's long-time friend and collaborator Clementine Brown (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and Matthew Hayes of 30/70, Allysha Joy, Xpress Point, Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange fame, was brought in to play bass on 'Bluebell'.

So here we have it, a chance collaborative project built on two musicians' mutual respect for each other's outputs. The result is truly breathtaking.


Finn Rees & Sholto - Bluebell

Listen everywhere: https://idol-io.ffm.to/sholto-persephones-perception
Pre-order the album on Bandcamp: https://sholto2.bandcamp.com/album/the-sirens
Listen to the DeepMatter Catalogue: https://tinyurl.com/dm-catalogue


Listen everywhere

Persephone's Perception

My remix for Galimatias and Alina Baraz 's "Pretty Thoughts" 

Buy track

Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Pretty Thoughts (FKJ Remix)

Pink Countdown by @cam-hands is featured along with 26 other songs on RISING TIDES vol. 3.
RISING TIDES is SVNSET WAVES' autumn collection of music featuring only music from artists with 500 followers on less on SoundCloud. RISING TIDES is the best way for avid music listeners to discover new artists to support and get behind early on. Each artist on the 27 track compilation was invited to participate by SVNSET WAVES founder and tastemaker, Corbin Cary. So sit back, relax, and discover new music. 
Art by Alec McKeand (alecmckeand.smugmug.com @amongthepine on Instagram)

Download Album

Cam & Hands - Pink Countdown

Hear the track live on #TightSongs hosted by @freshselects https://www.mixcloud.com/FreshSelects/tight-songs-episode-108-july-2nd-2016/

** FREE DOWNLOAD : https://www.toneden.io/cosmic_children/post/marvin **

This Ain't Livin (Marvin Edit)

Out worldwide 9/16. 
Purchase Digi, LP, CD:  https://manateecommune.bandcamp.com/album/manatee-commune

Amidst the lush environs of his northwest roots, https://soundcloud.com/manateecommune (aka Grant Eadie) has fermented an organically molded electronic sound that has been teasing the synapses of audiophiles over the last few years. While not a stranger in the Pacific Northwest, Grant Eadie's tracks have grown tentacles that stretch deep into the dance floor, fueled by natural overtones that he extracts from field recordings. 

Following the head-turning EP 'Thistle' on Brooklyn-based label Bastard Jazz Recordings (Illa J, Lord Echo, & others) from earlier this year Grant comes to the label armed with violin arrangements, nuanced programming and pressure-sensitive LED drum breaks peppering the audio-visual experience of his participatory live performances. His debut album Manatee Commune is set for a September 16th release on Bastard Jazz, and displays the elevated confidence and deft touch of a producer truly finding his footing. Already opening for Bonobo, and recently touring with Chad Valley and Blackbird Blackbird, Manatee Commune has been featured on NPR, Stereogum, and Spin, amongst other outlets. 

Grant’s full length label debut, the self titled Manatee Commune album represents a giant leap forward in terms of sound and songwriting. The album kicks off with “What We’ve Got”, featuring Detroit rising star Flint Eastwood on vocals, showcasing Grant’s shimmering, playful production style. The song was an unlikely summer anthem, garnering over half a million spins on Spotify in the span of just a few weeks.  Further vocal tracks come from two female singers, Marina Price and Moorea Masa – who give the album a sense of cohesiveness and conjure almost a band-like feel, rather than a single producer blindly sending out beats. Lyrics, music and arrangement were at times collaborative efforts between Grant and his chanteuses,  which shines through in the cohesiveness of the vocal tracks.


Manatee Commune

Interlude

Buy the album 'Paradise' on LP/Digi/CD: https://bbravo.bandcamp.com/album/paradise-lp?campaign=bravosoundcloud

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/08879ZIWACVvA2L1sgOpWB
Apple/iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/tj/album/paradise/id1216625314

Paradise 

B. Bravo - Paradise (Intro)

Taken from 'Joseph' EP, due out Jan 19th on Bastard Jazz.
Pre-Order Digi / 7": https://birthdayboytrish.bandcamp.com/album/joseph

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, producer / DJ Birthday Boy has been awarded numerous accolades thanks to an eclectic musical style that draws influence from jazz, house, hip-hop, R&B, and funk. Via remixes, original productions, and collaborations, Birthday Boy has won praise from tastemakers worldwide including Pitchfork, FADER, Hypebeast, and more. Having spent the majority of 2017 relatively quiet, Birthday Boy is closing out the year with a sneak peek of what's come in 2018 by way of a new track with Toronto singer / songwriter Trish titled "Magic."

Out today via Brooklyn label Bastard Jazz, "Magic" represents the first cut off a yet-to-be-titled forthcoming EP due 2018. On "Magic," listeners again hear Birthday Boy launch into a rich soundscape of R&B influenced rhythms, a four on the floor beat, mesmerizing synth, and a jarring vocal performance from Trish. The distinctly catchy tune takes additional influence from lauded UK musician Tom Misch whose guitar loop provides the foundation for the track.

Birthday Boy & Trish - Magic

David Porter - Funny Money (Thallus Remix)

Khruangbin - Mr White (Thallus Remix)

ten-minute jam recorded live by Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity during the first day of the album recording session in London. 
'Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity Present Underground Canopy' will be released on MENACE on January 31st, 2020. 
Pre Order : https://bit.ly/2sDUviJ
'The Jazz Bundle' : https://bit.ly/2S7f0Ps

MENACE l MNC006

Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity Present Underground Canopy

MNC006

'UC Visions' by Underground Canopy, Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity

Brooklyn boutique record label. Purveyors of fine beats worldwide.

Interlude

Bastard Jazz

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