Another week, another dearth of great tunes. Busy times, too, so you'll need to make up your own commentary :)Track of the week, though, is the closer from Olafur Arnalds.

Jun 08 - Jun 14 2018

Funky Beats Version of the B&G Rhythm Balearic Jazz Classic coming soon on a 45 from Jazz Room Records!

AFLEX COMBO - HIBAROS

In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live

Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

No Use (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

Produced by Allan McConnell and Finn Rees 
Mixed by Allan McConnell
Mastered by Dustin Alexander
Artwork and design: Piewack

Close Counters would like to thank everyone who helped facilitate the creation of this record, from the many studios or make-shift recording spaces where these songs were written, produced and mixed, to the supportive friends, family and community. We’re ever grateful.

Management by Rick Bridgman for Good Intent

This record was made predominantly on stolen land belonging to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We wish to pay our respects to the elders past present and emerging and note that sovereignty was never ceded.

CONSTANT LOVE feat. Jace XL

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

HOURS:AFTER

“Shaky Escalator” captures a moment of New York disorientation, inspired by a lurching subway ride and shaped by the playful, rhythm-driven energy of Peter Matson’s band, Underground System. Aroop Roy, a mainstay of London’s underground scene, reworks the track into something deeper and more hypnotic. His remix transforms the original’s off-kilter groove into a pulsing, acid-tinged journey, connecting NYC’s raw edges with London’s late-night sound.

Shaky Escalator (Aroop Roy Remix)

Just Negotiate feat. Simeon Jones (Kaidi Tatham Remix)

Personnel:
Mausiki Scales, electric piano, vibes, vocals, lyrics, arrangement
Shawna Floyd, vocals
Raina Turner, vocals
Quinn Masonry, alto saxophone
Kebbi Williams, tenor saxophone
Alex Jones, guitar
Khari Simmons, bass
Che Marshall, drums

Photo: Brandi Pettijohn

One 2Gether

The rising mega talent, multi-instrumentalist, striking bandleader and *actually* ambidextrous musician and producer returns to deliver Ley Lines – a true showcase of her talents. From the horns, to the choir, to the drums, to the rest, everything was written, produced, laid down and mixed by Emma-Jean.

“I wanted to step away from my work as a band leader and do something self-contained. I love improvising in the moment with a band, but wanted to take the chance to create at my own pace and be true to my own vision,” she says.

As a producer and musician, Emma-Jean’s work defies genre boundaries yet still holds deep roots in jazz. As well as being tipped “one of the UK’s most exciting new jazz artists” by Red Bull Music Academy, the one-woman-band production style of Ley Lines has been compared to Stones-Throw heavyweight Madlib.

Just as at home working with the London Symphony Orchestra as she is tearing it down at Total Refreshment Centre, Ley Lines follows Emma-Jean’s acclaimed Walrus EP and maintains her trajectory as one of the most talented young musicians in the business.

Ley Lines EP

Red Bush

Emma-Jean Thackray - Red Bush

The Molochs - I Wanna Say To You

PERFUME - Natalie Shay

OUT 15TH JUNE
Written by Natalie Shay / Jonathan Vears
Recorded/Mastered by Jonathan Vears
Mixed by Pete Dowsett

©NatalieShay2018

Perfume

Perfume - Natalie Shay

'Hot Salt' - new single from audiobooks released on Heavenly Recordings.

Listen: http://smarturl.it/A_HotSalt

audiobooks are playing their first HEADLINE show at Sebright Arms 19th June --> https://bit.ly/2LG4wzR

Follow audiobooks:
Facebook: @audiobookshq
Twitter: @audiobooks_hq
Instagram: @audiobookshq

Hot Salt

Buy or Stream the album: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/EverythingHappensForAReasonRemixed
Riding high on the success of his BBE album ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’, Kiko Navarro unveils a collection of original, extended versions, alternate takes and brand new remixes from the project.
Featured by both DJ Mag Spain and Traxsource as top ten ‘Albums Of The Year‘ in 2017, ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’ enjoyed success, both within the dance music community and far beyond, thanks to its bold eclecticism and a series of top- notch vocal / instrumental performances. Four tracks from the album were also recently released on 12” vinyl via Chez Damier’s legendary ‘Balance’ imprint.
Having recently completed a world tour in support of the album, Kiko Navarro revisits ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’, salvaging only the finest remnants from the cutting room floor. Many of the album’s tracks were originally around ten minutes in length before being edited to fit on the CD, so Kiko has included many full-length versions here, alongside instrumentals, acid interpretations and even a rave mix, sure to delight DJs and dance- floors alike.
Among the brand new material featured is Sobek’s incredible remix of ‘Ohashia’, a track which has been in high demand since it was premiered on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 ‘Sound Of Ibiza Tag Team Mix’ by Adam Port last year. Greek producer Echonomist delivers a spine tingling, bass driven version of ‘Painful Goodbye’. There are three new mixes of ‘Humanity’, plus a low-down and deep, disco infused rework from Kiko’s Spanish compatriot Simon Garcia. Fresh from their sublime re-imagining of Ron Trent & Lono Brazil’s ‘Manchild (In The Promised Land)’ for BBE, Japanese husband and wife duo Dazzle Drums turn in a potent version of ‘La Cosa’, complete with a devastating dub mix. Emotionally charged tribute piece featuring fellow BBE artist Gabriele Poso, ’Painful Goodbye’ is transformed into a tear-jerking reprise, fittingly titled ‘Hasta Siempre’ (until the end of time).
With his new ‘Afroterraneo’ imprint just launched, new productions, remixes and gigs are popping up all over the planet for Kiko Navarro: now is surely a good time to take a longer look at the album that helped re-energise his artistic life.

Kiko Navarro - Painful Goodbye feat. Gabriele Poso & Paco Colombas (Extended Version)

Disconnect

Long-time (3+ years!) curator of a regular weekly 10 track playlist of legit, (mostly) new tracks from Soundcloud, dug up here, there and everywhere. The lists always start out as 10 tracks, but some subsequently get pulled from Soundcloud by the band/artist or the label, so don't blame me for any short lists!

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...

Kiko Navarro - Painful Goodbye feat. Gabriele Poso & Paco Colombas (Extended Version)

BBE Music

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