The deepest cut from the LP. Thanks to MIMS

CLOUD All Night Long -  EXTENDED SPECIAL DUB by GE-OLOGY

Between producing landmark albums with the likes of Azymuth, Marcos Valle, and Sabrina Malheiros, recent years have seen Daniel Maunick flourishing as a solo artist with acclaimed releases on Eglo Records, Mother Tongue, Visions, AKO Beatz (under his Dokta Venom alias), and of course, Far Out Recordings. His sophomore solo album Persistence is an exemplary culmination of the momentum Maunick has built since his 2019 debut Macumba Quebrada, which earned support from Moodymann, Benji B, Gilles Peterson, Ron Trent, Palms Trax, Derrick Carter and Moxie to name just a few.

Since collaborating with Shy FX for his first ever release at the age of fifteen (a now impossible to find single sided jungle acetate), Maunick has remained embedded in the fabric of the culture, from early work for the legendary Talkin’ Loud label to notching credits with Terry Caliier, Paul Weller, Ski Oakenfull, Brenda Russell, and his father’s legendary brit-funk outfit Incognito. And for almost two decades he’s served as producer for a long string of classic and future-classic Far Out albums, most recently Alex Malheiros' Tempos Futuros.

As on his previous Far Out opuses (most recently the Musica Encantada EP),
Persistence sees Maunick continue to playfully use foundations of traditional afro-brazilian rhythms, heard in the sultry samba swing of 'Arraiá', the pulsating batucada enveloping the bassy synth stabs in “Remnants of Joy”, and spectral cuicas throughout the blissfully bumping ‘Illusions’. But going beyond his trademark nods to Brazil, he reflects on his junglist roots with the emotionally charged ‘Love Is Gone’, and flexes his deep house muscles with the late night magic of ‘Just Deserts’ and ‘Addicted’.

The sheer variety on show is testament to the wide scope of influences and experiences Maunick has accumulated and absorbed in his career to date. It’s also evident that after years spent with jazz funk masters like Azymuth and Incognito, as well as hitmakers like Marcos Valle, Maunick has reached a new calibre with his compositional prowess alongside his astoundingly accomplished studio skills. Persistence is a modern classic by a veteran at the peak of their powers.

Daniel Maunick - Illusions

Italian duo Night Passengers aka Nicola Loporchio and Emanuele Del Carmine serve up their first collaborative album this summer. Find A Way comes on Born just a year or so after the project was spontaneously formed during lockdown, and is a seamless nine-track instrumental fusion of soul, jazz, funk, breaks and 80s grooves.

Nicola Loporchio is also known as Nico Lahs and Cosmic Garden and is a producer with more than a decade's experience. In that time he has landed on countless influential labels with a range of EPs and EPs that take in everything from downtempo to deep house, hip hop to funk. During the lockdowns of 2020, he hooked up with fellow Italian musician Emanuele Del Carmine who has served up some fresh disco sounds in the last couple of years. They began jamming together in early 2021 and soon found they shared common ideas when it came to good time grooves. Now, that plays out across a proper full-length that is perfect for close home listening and laid back Sundays, but always with one eye on a cosy and intimate dancefloor.

This most cohesive of works opens with the joyous keys of 'Moonlight Sonata' which sets an immediately romantic mood. 'Illusion' is then a golden bit of jazz-funk with warm, glowing chords and dusty broken beats that make you want to shuffle. 'Wandering' is another piece of
fine musicianship with perfect interplay between the live drums, jazzy keys and cosmic leads. The title track then slows things down. It's deep, spacious and atmospheric with suggestive bass, pillowy chords and distant melodies twinkling like stars in a night sky.

'Escape On A Sunny Sunday' has a lush retro-future feel, with freeform keys racing about the scales as the cosmic leads and tight drums tie the whole track together. During 'Moments Of Insanity,' the album launches further into the cosmos on waves of radiant melody and splashy cymbals. 'Past Memories' taps into 80s nostalgia with more blurry-edged chords and natty synth sequences riding on louche drums. The heady 'On A Cloud' is a go-slow piece that invites you into a seductive jazz-funk dreamworld and lastly, Brazilian Zopelar remixes 'Illusion' into a tumbling bit of boogie-tinged house funk.

Find A Way is a vibrant work from seasoned musicians whose virtuoso playing brings every track to life in a heartwarming fashion.

BORN03 - Night Passengers - Find A Way (+ Zopelar Remix)

The Italian sure-shot producer SofaTalk is back with another bangin' EP featuring 4 sizzling tracks for the dance floor. 'Little One' is the most experimental one on there with its blend of various electronic styles and a jazz fusion-esque bass guitar soloing throughout. Out soon on Boogie Cafe Records.

Release: Oct 1st
Full article: www.steppinintotomorrow.com

★ PREMIERE ★ SofaTalk - 'Little One'

Ziggy Zeitgeist (30/70 and Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange) adds a "techno-funk" touch on this irresistible remix of "Obana" by Energy Exchange Ensemble, led by Lewis Moody and Ziggy himself, with striking guest vocals from King Owusu (Jemba Groove).

The remix captures a vision of Afro-futurism that the duo of Ziggy Zeitgeist and King (Eric) Owusu have been working towards in recent years . With Owusu’s deep roots in Afrobeat and the highlife music of West Africa meeting the ‘techno-funk’ sensibilities of Zeitgeist's recent productions. The Obana ‘808 mix’ epitomises the light and sensuality of Afrobeat with the rigid coldness of German minimalism.

Long time collaborators and pioneers of Melbourne’s indefinable underground sound, through collectives like 30/70 and Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, Lewis Moody and Ziggy Zeitgeist reunite on their latest project, Energy Exchange Ensemble, or simply EX Ensemble. Their contemporary organically engineered dance music is inspired by collaboration and that “special sauce” born from improvised jam-style musicianship.

The forthcoming ‘Energy Exchange Records Vol 1.’ pays homage to the transcultural projects curated by iconic label, ECM, capturing the impassioned spirit of spontaneity. Delivering a fully realised debut deeply rooted by a core house band that facilitates a flow of many ideas to take shape in an innovative form, where amorphous sound reigns supreme. 

Garnering a slew of genre-defying musicians from Melbourne, London and Berlin for their debut album, self-produced and released on their own label Energy Exchange Records started alongside Benjamin Tramaille, an emerging house-producer releasing music under his moniker Maytra (Local Talk, Visions Recordings), Energy Exchange Records Vol 1. is available on digital and 12” LP format on September 8th 2023.

‘Obana’ meaning ‘Ebony’ in Ga, a Kwa language spoken in and around Accra, Ghana, is a deep electronic groove-driven track with chuggy baselines and delivers a refreshing respite midway through, showcasing the vocal prowess of Eric Owusu (Jemba Groove, Pat Thomas, Ebo Taylor).

Eric broke down the meaning behind the song for us: "When we take our precious time and moments to observe the things that are happening around us today, in which some of them does not feel right, one begins to wonder why those things are not going in the right direction. For example, some of the challenges of individual daily life and in our society, and so people demand answers as to why many things are not feeling right,..and "Obana" explore the curiosity, of seeing a lot of people wanting to have an answer as to what they do not understand ... so it says "You can only know and discover if only you ask of what you do not understand".

Ziggy Zeitgeist is a producer, DJ and Drummer, first coming to global attention as drummer and founding member of Australian Nu-Soul/future-jazz collective ’30/70’. Ziggy’s music has received support from the likes of tastemakers Gilles Peterson, Byron the Aquarius and Alexander Nut. Appearing on countless international festival stages and releasing music on seminal labels such as Blue Note, Brownswood Recordings and Rhythm Section as bandleader of ‘Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange’. 

Lewis Moody is a Melbourne-born, London-based producer/mix engineer/keyboard player, playing with the likes of soul-singer Cherise, drummer Myele Manzanza and jazz crossover mainstays Nubiyan Twist, hailing from his studio Harness 7 in Hackney. Moody is also working alongside legendary promoters and label Secretsundaze as musical director for their ‘Spirit of Sundaze Ensemble’, having performed at Southbank Centre, Kala Festival and tipped for release in late 2023.

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Exclusive Premiere: Energy Exchange Ensemble "Obana" (Zeitgeist 808 Remix) Feat. King Owusu

New Digital Fidelity has been making sweet moves recently with a debut on the lauded Moods & Grovers label out of Detroit followed up by a single on his own Scopic Records. 

Now he brings his class to Crush On The Beachside and again shows off his love of Detroit house vibes. Opener 'Crush On The Beachside' is raw and intense with humid chords and jacked-up drums, then 'Shattered' brings more loose and jumbled beatdown grooves and 'Crush On The Beachside' (K15 remix) is then bubbly, jazzy and cuddly. 'Cracking' rounds out with more rich chord work and bristling drum funk.

Artist: New Digital Fidelity
Title EP: Crush On The Beachside (incl. K15 Remix)
Label: Scopic Records
Format: 12” & Digital
Release Date: 14.08.2023

Pre-Order Vinyl

MIMS Premiere: New Digital Fidelity "Crush On The Beachside" (K15 Remix)

Coma World's exclusive premiere of "Playing With Fire" offers a tantalizing preview of their upcoming album 'Coma Wong,' scheduled for release next month on Byrd Out. With this track, the duo embarks on a unique journey through a dystopian jazz soundscape that demands attention.

In this sophomore LP, Coma World, the collaborative project of drummer Betamax (known for his work with The Comet Is Coming) and bassist Pete Bennie (a member of the esteemed Speakers Corner Quartet), teams up with Raimund Wong, noted graphic sound artist, and member of Floating World Pictures. 

"Playing With Fire" introduces Betamax's relaxed jazz drumming, complemented by Pete Bennie's skillful bass harmonics, all interwoven with bursts of sound, expertly treated and layered through a tape pass by Raimund Wong.

Save the date for the full album release on October 6th, and keep an eye out for those rare live performances, offering a genuine taste of Coma World's innovative sound.

Exclusive Premiere: Coma World "Playing With Fire" (Byrd Out)

The excellent sneaky jesus share an exclusive sneak peak into their highly anticipated second album, "For Chaching Taphed." Hailing from Wrocław, this boundary-pushing Polish jazz ensemble is known for their innovative approach to the genre.

“Piękno Niemożliwe”, showcasing the enchanting flute talents of Mariya Mavko (one part of Kadabra Dyskety Kusaje), transports listeners to the evocative realms of Polish and Ukrainian folklore through its captivating opening motif. This fleeting, tranquil interlude stands in stark contrast to the typically frenetic sounds of Sneaky Jesus, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the rich heritage of Polish jazz music intricately intertwined with folklore. The band ingeniously adopted and transformed this concept into their distinctive musical style.

Sneaky Jesus gained international recognition with their debut album, "For Joseph Riddle," in 2021, and they've since been on a relentless touring spree, sharing stages with renowned artists such as Ill Considered and Theon Cross.

Their latest creation, "For Chaching Taphed," was crafted in complete isolation within a rustic barn at the Museum of Agricultural Technology in Piotrowice Świdnickie. Surrounded by the hum of machinery, trucks, and carriages, the band found inspiration for their sophomore output, mirroring the abstract conversations they often engage in just for fun. In contrast to their groove-oriented debut, this album explores simplicity and allows for greater experimentation, resulting in a record filled with unexpected overdubs, tempo shifts, and mood changes.

Sneaky Jesus, formed in 2019 during a jam session at Zion, a former squat in Wrocław, brings together Matylda Gerber (sax), Maciej Forreiter (guitar), Filip Baczyński (drums), and Beniamin Łasiewicki (bass). In 2021, they signed with UK label Shapes of Rhythm and released "For Joseph Riddle," a release that exceeded all expectations with vinyl and CD sales soaring.

Following a live session recorded for Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM, which featured compositions inspired by global events, Sneaky Jesus embarked on their busiest touring period, making appearances at renowned Polish clubs and festivals. They quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the leading jazz bands from Wrocław and among the most recognizable names in the new wave of Polish jazz.

Now, with the imminent release of "For Chaching Taphed" in September 2023, Sneaky Jesus is poised to conquer new horizons with upcoming shows in Germany and appearances at various jazz festivals across Poland. Don't miss out on this exclusive premiere of "Piękno Niemożliwe," offering a tantalizing glimpse into the band's next musical odyssey. Stay tuned for more from this audacious quartet as they continue to push the boundaries of jazz.

Exclusive Premiere: "Piękno Niemożliwe" Ft. Mariya Mavko (Shapes of Rhythm)

After a nearly 7 year hiatus, it's the return of the Ottawa-based collective Atlantis Jazz Ensemble with a new album "Celestial Suite". Music is My Sanctuary is excited to present a special preview of one of the tracks from the upcoming album, titled "Enlightenment".

The album "Celestial Suite" is out on October 27th on Marlow Records.

Celestial Suite

Exclusive Premiere: Atlantis Jazz Ensemble "Enlightenment" (Forthcoming on Marlow Records)

Stranger Than Fiction

Wanna Find Out (ft Life On Planets)

In a momentous celebration of the British jazz legacy, the iconic jazz-rock pioneers Soft Machine are set to enrapture listeners with an exclusive audio premiere of "(Slightly) Slightly All The Time". This captivating rendition takes center stage on the B side of their upcoming limited edition 7” vinyl, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary trumpeter Harry Beckett featuring his classic "The Dew at Dawn" on the A side.

Led by the masterful guitar of John Etheridge, an original Soft Machine member since the mid-'70s, and the velvety saxophone tones of Canterbury scene veteran Theo Travis, the band's recent lineup shifts include bassist Fred Thelonious Baker—a former collaborator with Beckett—and the debut of drummer Asaf Sirkis, succeeding the late John Marshall.

"(Slightly) Slightly All the Time", originally part of Soft Machine's seminal 1970 opus 'Third', undergoes a brilliant reimagining for this exclusive release. Stripping down the sprawling epicness of Mike Ratledge's original composition to its essential elements, the track is injected with new life, showcasing Travis' exceptional flute artistry that effortlessly channels the '70s Brit jazz vibes.

As the second installment in My Only Desire Records' Brit Jazz 45s series, Soft Machine's contribution not only pays homage to the golden era of ‘60s and ‘70s British jazz but also offers an unprecedented audio premiere experience. This article invites readers to embark on an immersive journey through the intricate layers of "(Slightly) Slightly All The Time", where Soft Machine's musical prowess and reverence for their own classic captivate the senses.

With its exclusive unveiling, "(Slightly) Slightly All The Time" becomes a testament to Soft Machine's ability to transcend time, seamlessly merging the past with the present. Jazz enthusiasts and loyal followers alike are encouraged to savor this unique moment as Soft Machine continues to shape the narrative of their storied career through the evocative soundscape of "(Slightly) Slightly All The Time".

Exclusive Premiere: Soft Machine "(Slightly) Slightly All The Time" (My Only Desire Records)

Future Classics & Forgotten Treasures — Selections for the Adventurous Music Listener (Founded in 2007 by Lexis)

Exclusive Premiere: "Piękno Niemożliwe" Ft. Mariya Mavko (Shapes of Rhythm)

Music Is My Sanctuary

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