In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live

Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

Place in Between / Cyclic (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

No Use (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

The One-Tet / Fade Out (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

n an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.

Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.

The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.

Marca Passo releases on limited edition blue, red & black vinyl LP editions, CD and digitally on the 6th June 2025, via Far Out Recordings, supported by European and North American tours.

Azymuth - Arabutã

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 - Love In Memory

Crazy and wrong

Taken from 'Kon & The Gang 12" Sampler: https://www.bbemusic.com/downloads/kon-truccy-timeless-closer/
Introducing Kon‘s forthcoming compilation album ‘Kon & The Gang‘, we are delighted to present this 12″ sampler featuring two incredible cuts taken from the LP, as well as an exclusive remix from Kon

Opening track ‘Timeless’ could hardly be more aptly named. Sublime, smokey piano touches on the intro give way to an uplifting, languid disco track, jammed full of sunshine. Catchy vocal snippets, rock solid bass and guitar licks build up the groove beautifully alongside Kon‘s trademark staccato, squelchy synth chord stabs. On the flip-side Kon presents a remix of his own track ‘Timeless’. Highlighting piano loops and synth stabs from the original version, his rework moves the track seamlessly into Deep House territory, with smoothly rolling percussion and a hypnotic arrangement.

Truccy (better known as Compost’s Rainer Trüby and Corrado Bucci) close out proceedings with ‘Closer’, another sun-drenched groove with definite Balearic touches. Jazzy chords and touching vocals (performed by the duo themselves with assistance from Nicolas “Michael Ellis” Rogoll) lend the track a distinctly ‘live’ feel.

A delicious taste of what’s to come from ‘Kon & Gang<‘, this limited 12″ is surely going to be essential listening this summer.

Kon & The Gang

Rainer Trüby & Corrado Bucci present Truccy - Closer

Australian talent @setwunsound steps up for our Dominica Compilation. Sublime stuff.

Dominica is a small island in the caribbean destroyed by Hurricane Maria and left in ruins with little infrastructure or resources. With both Bradley & Mali being of Dominican heritage, this is a cause especially close to our hearts. Please PAY WHAT YOU CAN + share the info.
👉🏾 Head to the release page to cop the comp and peep the tracklist 👀 : bit.ly/comp4dominica

Compilation For Dominica

Donate Here!

Setwun - Inner West Wind Up

A singular sax note like Bill Withers singing "lovely daaaaaaaaaaaay".  The 10th and final track on 'It Rains Here' the debut album from @yadavasoflute on @churchuk.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2018/06/15/premiere-yadava-morning-pt-2-extended-mix/

Yadava - Morning Pt.2 (Extended Edit) (STW Premiere)

New project working with Joel Holmes, thought id give a taster of whats going to come.

Cody Currie & Joel Holmes - No Name As Of Yet (Semi Live Jam)

Jazzanova is many things to many different people. For more than fifteen years the eclectic collective from Berlin has been busy producing, composing, arranging, remixing, DJing and generally shaping our musical world – in the clubs, on the air, in the studio, live on stage, and with their label Sonar Kollektiv.
bookings for dj sets and live-shows: booking@best-works.com

The One-Tet / Fade Out (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

jazzanova