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Finn Rees, one of the key members of Melbourne’s bubbling music scene, announces his debut solo album, Dawn Is A Melody on Mr Bongo with the first single, ‘Looking Up’. As part of 30/70 and Close Counters his previous work has found form in its groove, Dawn Is A Melody instead places the piano and arrangements centre stage, embracing a timeless warmth infused with bittersweet melodies and saturated textures.
 
The lead single ‘Looking Up’ is a divine dose of uplifting, soul-rousing optimism that kicks off the album. A blank canvas for Finn and a whole host of Melbourne’s finest talent to fill with colour. Sitting between spiritual and cinematic, the track instantly envelops you in a swell of vintage hues, Lucky Pereira feathering the drums as Blakely McLean Davies riffs on the double bass. Finn’s fingers flow across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano, delicately dancing around Siwei Wong’s stunning harp playing as the track builds and breaks. A sublime string section made up of Chloe Danger, Eunise Cheng, Nils Hobiger and McLean Davies, alongside shimmering vocal harmonies by 30/70 bandmate Allysha Joy, lift the track to limitless heights.
 
Finn’s layered synthwork on the Moog and Prophet provides a contemporary touch to proceedings, but one of the beauties of ‘Looking Up’ and the rest of the Dawn Is A Melody is its inability to be placed by age or era. A blend of inspirations from Arthur Verocai to Alice Coltrane, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson to Kamasi Washington, tied together with recording and mix engineer Henry Jenkin’s vintage recording setup warmth.
 
Just as the swell washed in at the start, the tide draws ‘Looking Up’ to a close, fading back out across the horizon as the sun sets another story.

Finn Rees - Looking Up

‘Expansion’ is the second single from Melbourne-based, Finn Rees’ forthcoming debut album, Dawn Is A Melody. A Brazilian-inspired, spirit-embracing jazz immersion, that nods to greats like Luiz Eça, Dom Salvador and Cesar Camargo Mariano yet showcases the vibrancy of Finn’s contemporary palette. 

Further illuminating the microcosm of colour that is Dawn Is A Melody, ‘Expansion’ explores the connection between the worldly and those cosmic realms that float in between, with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest musicians. Igniting the track, Lucky Pereira’s exquisite drumming marries with Blakely McLean Davies’ strutting double bass playing, as a Latin touch shines through Dom Kirk’s percussion. 

Sitting at the helm, Finn’s signature mastery across the keys from the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano to the warming tones of the Rhodes, elevate your mind to a weightless dimension. Enhancing those earthly measures, he taps into the cosmic-channelling Moog to add an undertone of interstellar electronics.  A foundation that gives ground for the triplet of horns to form a harmonious unison, Audrey Powne on trumpet, Cheryl Durongpisitkul on tenor sax, Josh Moshe on alto sax, all gliding as one. 

Both grounded and galactic, it’s an intricate, soulful and spiritual jazz journey with a depth and richness that is perfectly saturated by recording and mix engineer Henry Jenkin’s vintage recording setup.

Finn Rees - Expansion

Mr Bongo proudly presents the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based, Finn Rees. Gliding across a swirling palette of saturated hues, Dawn Is A Melody feels vintage yet vibrant, new but familiar at the same time. A spiritual, deep and textured jazz record, tipping its hat to greats from the past, capturing memories and reformulating them into new ideas with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest talent.

Expert keys player for the likes of 30/70 and Elle Shimada, alongside one-half of Close Counters, this debut LP was Finn’s conscious departure from the realm of groove-based jazz. Instead, Dawn Is A Melody places the piano and arrangements centre stage, giving Finn and his fellow Melbourne crew freedom to explore the spaces in between, new emotions and alternate soundscapes.

In Finn’s own words: “My intention with Dawn Is A Melody was to create a world; a microcosm of colour. Something rich and beautiful that allowed the melodies and compositions to reach their full potential. It was driven by hope, curiosity and the search for beauty and reassurance in this ever-changing world. The emotion behind the music is really about the journey of life, growing up and changing, as well as my relationship with Tasmania’s natural landscapes where I grew up, a part of the world that is incredibly unique and beautiful.”

The album arcs between opening, middle and end. Beginning with the optimism of ‘Looking Up’ and ‘Lagoon’, the former a celestial, string and harp marbled slice of positivity, the latter a spiritual journey of exuberance and hope, Finn’s fingers dancing across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano. From there the songs blossom outwards with the cinematic soulful journey of ‘It’s Behind Me Now’ and Brazilian-inspired ‘Expansion’, as the divine ‘Crossing’ signals a transition to a new realm. The energy is transformed from the rich cosmic textures to a more intimate and personal feeling with ‘Ablaze’, ‘Between Spaces’ and ‘As It Passes’ which blissfully fades down to simply piano and strings to close out the record.

Recorded at Rolling Stock in Collingwood, Melbourne, Henry Jenkins was drafted in as recording and mix engineer, his minimal vintage mic setups giving a live aesthetic and warmth to the arrangements. Lucky Pereira and Blakely McLean Davies form the rock-solid rhythm section, with a hand-picked line-up of other Melbourne talent on display, including Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, Audrey Powne on trumpet and Allysha Joy on vocals to name only a few.

Plotting a course from Alice Coltrane, through Herbie Hancock, to Arthur Verocai, this is a debut nourished by the past but firmly made in the present. A record unable to be age-stamped, casting ambiguity as to when, what era and by whom it has been crafted. Like a vintage lens capturing a current scene, Dawn Is A Melody is warm and familiar yet focused on the here now.

Finn Rees - It's Behind Me Now

Finn Rees - Horizons

Finn Rees - Lagoon

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/tudo-ben-jorge-ben-covered-cd-1149

A collection of covers of master Brazilian musician and writer Jorge Ben. With such classics under his belt as Mas Que Nada, covered by the likes of Sergio Mendes, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Al Jarreau, and the song Taj Mahal which was the source of Rod Stewart’s Do You Think I’m Sexy?, Ben is a huge force in Brazilian popular music.

Often described as the James Brown of Brazilian music due to his prolific output, he is the most sampled Brazilian artist ever with people from the Black Eyed Peas to DJ Marky lifting elements off his tracks. His song catalogue has also been covered by some of the finest bands in Brazil.

This selection represents a more dance-floor orientated outing including mega rarities for the collecting fiends like Cosa Nostra by Os Mutreteiros Grilados and tracks that even Ben himself never got around to singing like Rei Do Maracatu's Cyro Aguiar.
Available on CD, LP, 7" and digital download.


Wilson Simonal - Brasil, Eu Fico

Eglo Records' main man Alexander Nut joins us for some slick late night futurism. Broken beat, soul, and whatever else happens to take his fancy.  
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/alexander-nut/episodes/alexander-nut-25th-october-2025

Alexander Nut - D'Angelo Special w/ D’Monk 251025

Head of Grimy Edits, Zernell Gillie's style can range from the heart of disco to the soul of Chicago house - he heads up a 2 hour slot once a month from our LA studio.

From the host: _"The 1st hour is by Jamie 3:26. The second Hour is by Zernell with songs curated by Your Moms Agency to celebrate the 10th anniversary of of From Berlin to LA. all songs are from Berlin or LA artist." _ 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/zernell/episodes/zernell-27th-october-2025

Get Grimy w/ Zernell & Jamie 3:26 271025

Nouveau mix pour la résidence d'Alex From Tokyo "World Famous" 

Alex From Tokyo · Novembre 2025

https://www.instagram.com/hyanna
https://www.soundcloud.com/planeta_hyanna  

World Galaxy with Hyanna @ The Lot Radio 11-26-2025

Bloops House, a guest mix series broadcasting a more House music enthused sound from artists globally.

For episode #20 we have https://soundcloud.com/seven-davis-jr selecting.

Singer, Songwriter, Producer and DJ originally signed to "Ninja Tune" Records (UK) before deciding to go independent. Now releases on "Secret Angels" Records (US) and various labels internationally. Known for solo works and collaborations with artists like John Cale (The Velvet Underground), Honey Dijon (DJ) and many more. Active in multiple musical worlds but primarily associated with Soul, Trip Hop, Electronic and Indie music sounds.

www.blooplondon.com
www.facebook.com/blooplondon
www.youtube.com/blooplondon
www.mixcloud.com/blooplondon
www.twitch.tv/blooplondon
@blooplondon

Bloops House #20 w/ Seven Davis Jnr - 09.12.25

Eclectic, organic dance music that works its way from leftfield, deep-house, and minimal techno to krautrock, ambient, and free jazz. A percussive yet atmospheric mix with a playful commitment to sonic experimentation, Will Shore’s unpredictable combinations include original productions, obscure world artists, and new music from local jazz musicians.

https://www.instagram.com/w_shore
https://www.soundcloud.com/willshore

Oblique Slice with Will Shore @ The Lot Radio 12-03-2025

Mark Barrott feat. Norma Winstone & Leo Taylor - My Blue Heart
Bliss - Wish U Were Here (Grassskirt Remix)
Dj Pippi & Willie Graff - Noche De Primavera (Nad version by Dan Tyler) 
Nordsø & Theill  - Sea View 
Neumayer Station - Feeling Forst
Flooding a Maze (In Slow Motion)
Chaz Jankel - Rhumba Jam
Powerhouse Jim & The Fitness Centre - Silver Lining Syndrum
Lakes & Fires - Lakes & Fires
Arto - Canto De Pájaro 
Tambores En Benirras - Ondas Horizontales [Asto Remix] 
João Leão - One Of These Things First (Undiu)

Sounds in Waves - Episode 30

Sample excavator, music historian, and compilation curator DJ Amir selects a few influences each month - from house to disco, hip-hop to jazz. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/the-kronicles-featuring-dj-amir/episodes/the-kronicles-featuring-dj-amir-10th-december-2025

The Kronicles w/ DJ Amir 101225

Mix of the Week #615 is "Sermon of Autumn" by Spolia
Follow and include @spoliaa in your track ID requests

Dutch music enthusiast and collector Spolia shares Sermon of Autumn, a mix of folky records that bring both warmth and melancholy as the days grow shorter in Europe. Nothing too obscure, just a selection of tunes to celebrate autumn - a season that quietly reminds us of the ever-changing nature of things and calls to cherish moments that may soon vanish with the wind. The mix is also a tribute to Jamie Tiller, through whom many of these records were discovered.

-- 
✉️ DC Email list: eepurl.com/dN23Jw 🔈 Mix Archives: https://www.dreamchimney.com/motw

⭐ More from Dream Chimney instagram.com/dreamchimney • https://dreamchimney.bandcamp.com • www.dreamchimney.com

Mix of the Week #615: Spolia - Sermon of Autumn

A flash back to a warm summer afternoon on some real midwest type ish. Grateful to have spent the weekend with everyone for a 36 hour run of it all. Cheers!

Jeff Swiff at Over Yonder - [TGB2025]

Record label. Record shop. Film label. Since 1989.

Wilson Simonal - Brasil, Eu Fico

Mr Bongo

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