Ahead of the much anticipated release of Música Macondo's 'Brasil Novo' compilation of deep, raw and contemporary Afro Brazilian samba, we are exited to premiere Grupo Bongar's electric take on Samba de Coco, "Vento Corredor". 

Música Macondo has unearthed eight contemporary Brazilian tracks on compilation 'Brasil Novo', disseminating the rich and percussive heritage of Brazil and Samba De Coco. Selected by DJs Tahira (Sao Paulo) and Tim Garcia (London), the diversity and positivity of Brazil shines, featuring elements of samba, candomble, batuques, jazz, folk and beyond, designed with the esoteric dancefloor in mind.

DJ Tahira is a massive Brazilian music fan and has been on a research journey for a number of years, dedicated to the preservation and archiving of music made or influenced by black and indigenous Brazilians. Based out of Sao Paulo he has a particular interest in the history of Samba de Coco, a folkloric musical form that was very popular in, (and probably originated from), the north east of Brazil, by slaves and indiginous people from working class backgrounds who came together, making a rhythmical mesh of sounds dating back hundreds of years and allowing them to carve a unique cultural identity.

Ignored or disregarded as inferior by Brazil's recording industry, there are few existing original recordings of this music from the twentieth century, relying instead on oral tradition and carnivals like those in Recife or Pernambuco. In recent times there has been a flux of contemporary proponents who mix Samba de Coco with other contemporary Brazilian musical forms. Brasil Novo features both the roots, and more divergent fusions.

In the current cultural impasse that Brazil is experiencing, with artists and musicians experiencing the withdrawal of funding and services and with concerts and clubs yet to get back to pre-pandemic levels, it's never been so important to give visibility to contemporary creativity. This compilation not only gives a needy international platform to new artists, it enables an archive of Afro Brazilian culture that in some cases is disappearing. It’s also a fine example of resistance and positivity, against the odds.

Grupo Bongar, well known in Brazil and internationally, combine all manners of Brazilian folk, axé and samba, whilst they also run a centre for percussion aimed at galvanising musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Exclusive Premiere: Grupo Bongar "Vento Corredor" (Forthcoming on Música Macondo)

Balance

very wicked theme

Myele Manzanza - production, drums, synths 
Mark de Clive-Lowe - piano, rhodes, electronics 
Matt Dal Din - bass

Purchase link here https://myelemanzanza.bandcamp.com/track/freedom-of-movement-red-cross-fundraiser-ft-mark-de-clive-lowe-matt-dal-din

In these turbulent times we're currently living in and an overall fear-of-the-other vibe that seems to be setting in globally, I want to be more proactive about helping make things better for the world around me in whatever capacity I can with the resources and skills I have. One of the issues I feel is of a high importance right now is around refugee resettlement. With many of the worlds governments closing the doors to those in need, it’s more important than ever that individuals who care about human rights do something with their energies that goes a step further than retweeting the latest doomsday articles and clicking ‘like’ on a friend’s post. 

One of the small ways that I realized I could contribute is with music. While I don’t have a huge amount of money, if I can use my music to assist in causes I think are worthwhile then that’s a start. In my home country of New Zealand one of the organizations doing great work in the area of refugee resettlement is the New Zealand Red Cross. Their work on the ground alongside other local organisations in helping refugees to settle into life in New Zealand and help find work is particularly impressive, and their advocacy in pushing for New Zealand to lift it’s refugee quota in light of events across the globe is something I fully support. Their response to the New Zealand Prime Minister’s comments on the US refugee program suspension sums it up nicely… 

“We agree that it is the kiwi way to welcome refugees and believe that New Zealand has been a world leader in this regard,” says Anne Smith, acting Secretary General of New Zealand Red Cross. 

In the current global climate support for refugees, and upholding obligations to protect them, has never been more important. 

Long conflicts around the world have exacted a terrible price on civilians, among them high numbers of women and children and Red Cross is concerned that the current refugee quota in New Zealand does not match the global humanitarian need. 

“The majority of refugees are women and children, an emergency intake could assist some of these families who are most vulnerable,” says Mrs Smith. 

As the primary provider of refugee resettlement support in Aotearoa, Red Cross is confident that New Zealand has the capacity to do more to meet the ongoing humanitarian need. 

“The continual offers of support we have from kiwis demonstrates that people care about what’s happening on the global stage and want to help.” 

New Zealand has a world class refugee resettlement programme which means we are in a position to respond to urgent humanitarian need. An emergency intake now is both possible and urgently required." 

........................... 

Freedom Of Movement is a piece of music I produced in collaboration with Los Angeles based pianist and programmer Mark de Clive-Lowe and Berlin based bassist Matt Dal Din. As a long form and abstract instrumental journey through multiple forms, my hope with this piece is that the modal harmony and off kilter rhythms gives some sense of unpredictability as well as forward motion that is representative of the long and arduous journey a refugee would need to take to find a better life for themselves. 

100% of the artist’s proceeds from the sale of Freedom Of Movement go to the New Zealand Red Cross in their efforts toward refugee resettlement. While I’ve set the minimum buy at $5 on my Bandcamp page, please feel free to donate more if you can. It really makes a difference. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this and helping to support those in a great amount of need right now. 

Myele Manzanza.

Freedom Of Movement (Red Cross Fundraiser) ft. Mark de Clive-Lowe & Matt Dal Din

Rivalling their legendary output from the 70’s onwards, Brazilian jazz-funk pioneers Azymuth’s latest album Fênix saw the band on top form, with their trademark samba doido (crazy samba) sounding as slick as ever. Since then, Far Out Recordings has comissioned a special one-off remix for the project, from Chicago deep-house legend Ron Trent, who has long cited Azymuth as musical heroes and one of his biggest influences. With a toughened groove and gorgeous swirls of synth and pad embelishments, Ron’s remix takes Azymuth’s futurist disco even deeper.

Fenix- Azymuth (Album Version)

Theme from 'Ranger - Portable Presents- RANGEr'

Portable Presents: RANGEr

Ranger - Bazonkonwaba

Liquid Saloon

Side A

1. Naive By Choice 02:52
2. Gueta (featuring Nitai Hershkovits) 04:26
3. Belibi (featuring Eyal Talmudi) 04:54
4. Self Parade 04:16
5. Play Play 03:14

Side B

1. Polaroid Banana 05:53
2. Border Lines 04:30
3. Won’t Be Led By Fear (featuring Jenny Penkin) 03:05
4. Slow Loris (featuring Rejoicer) 03:31

Music Composed by Liquid Saloon
Except Tracks Co-Composed with
Rejoicer (2, 3, 5, 7, 9)
Nitai Hershkovits (2)

Produced & Recorded by Liquid Saloon at Kef Studios
Mixed by Nomok & Amir Bresler at Firehouse Studios
Transfered to Tape by Ran Shem Tov at Vivi Studios
Mastered by Asaf Shay at Halal Studios
Cover Art and Graphic Design by Jengo
Executive Produced by Asaf Shay

Amir Bresler - drums, drum programming, percussion, guitar, bass
Nomok - keyboards
Sefi Zisling - trumpet

with
Rejoicer - keyboards (2, 3, 5, 7, 9), bass (7)
Shlomi Alon - saxophone, flute (3, 6, 7, 9)
Jenny Penkin - vocals (8)
Yonatan Albalak - guitar (1, 5)
Nitai Hershkovits - keyboards (2)
Eyal Talmudi - clarinet (4)

Special Thanks to Elyasaf Bashari, Roi Avivi, Alhaji K. Frimpong, Tal Kohavi, Ebo Taylor, Roni Ful, Uzi Feinerman, Miles Davis & Yigal Havkin

Belibi (featuring Eyal Talmudi)

Upon popular request, TDR presents the instrumentals and re-edits of Tensei's uplifting 'Constellate' release. 

Tensei (meaning "Heaven Star" in Japanese) is the Chicago based producer tandem of Midas Wells and Chris Kramer. The music represents a soulful, electronic and hip hop infused perspective to Chicago's growing spiritual jazz movement, with many of the movement's protagonists such as Makaya McCraven, Brandee Younger, Greg Spero, Junius Paul, Khari Lemuel, Kevin Mitchell and Paul Curtis joining the recording sessions for the album. 

The vocal versions of the songs are also available via Tokyo Dawn featuring Jimetta Rose, Yaw, Sam Trump, Sulaiman, A. Billi Free, Kiara Lanier, ADaD and Liv Warfield from Prince's New Power Generation: tensei.bandcamp.com/album/constellate

Constellate (Instrumentals)

Exclusive Premiere: Tensei "Curtis Kuti" feat. Makaya McCraven (Tokyo Dawn Records)

Brisbane artist @laneous offers up smooth yet spooky neo soul.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2019/03/07/premiere-laneous-hold-my-hand/

Monstera Deliciosa

Premiere: Laneous - Hold My Hand (STW Premiere)

01 - ARP

Buy / stream the album 'Topology': https://orcd.co/topology

BBE Music presents the fourth release in their acclaimed J Jazz Masterclass Series: Topology by Makoto Terashita and Harold Land. Originally released in 1983 on the cult Aketa’s Disk label, Topology captures a surprising yet fascinating and engaging collaboration between a young Japanese jazz pianist and an elder American statesman of jazz.

Reissued by BBE Music for the first time since original release 36 years ago, Topology showcases the extraordinary compositional and playing skill of Makoto Terashita, the young pianist responsible for five of the album’s six tracks, alongside the confident and seasoned tones of Harold Land, respected US veteran sax player and former colleague of some of the leading jazz artists of the 50s, 60s and 70s including Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Gerald Wilson and Bobby Hutcherson.

By the time he came to record with Terashita in 1983, Land was in his mid-50s and had numerous album credits under his belt, including some twelve albums as leader. In contrast, Terashita was in his early 30s with just one album to his name, his stunning 1978 debut Great Harvest. Notwithstanding the apparent disparity in experience, the creative relationship they fostered is audibly evident in the wonderful music that was captured during the recording session.

Topology kicks off with ‘Dragon Dance’, an epic spiritual jazz tour de force elegantly ushered in by an extended solo piano introduction from Terashita. This track was chosen to open volume 2 of BBE’s universally praised ‘J Jazz’ compilation. The energy and impact of tracks like ‘Dragon Dance’ and the powerful bop of ‘Crossing’- both Terashitsa-penned numbers – is balanced by more nuanced and reflective tracks like Land’s own composition ‘World Peace’. In total, Topology presents the listener with a complete experience of two musicians from different generations and countries united in musical spirit.

A long out of print rarity known only to a handful of Japanese jazz collectors, Topology is now available once more, reissued for the first time as a 45rpm double 180g LP, featuring exact reproductions of the original artwork, obi strip and insert. It also comes with the original notes fully translated plus a new extended 3700 word essay by Tony Higgins. Topology is also available as a CD and across digital formats.

The J Jazz Masterclass Series is personally curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden and is dedicated to presenting the very finest in Japanese jazz. The series features rare and unreleased material presented in the highest quality reproductions of the original releases, fully licensed and authorised.