polaroids 2025

Here's the best new music we have encountered in the last week.


𝔽𝕦𝕝𝕝 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕟 𝔸𝕡𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕔, 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕋𝕦𝕓𝕖 - 𝕃𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕚𝕠.

Playlist: New Music Monday (05.05.25)

🗼🇫🇷🗼

Soul Jazz Funk

JAZZ

Freestyle Records springs into 2011 with the release of the debut album Colours by Frootful, which is the name guitarist Nick Radford records under. The project bridges the gap between past and present, acknowledging influences, while reflecting the creative process of looking back to move forward. Those classic influences include 60s soul-jazz, latin, ska and R&amp;amp;B. 

Being an accomplished guitarist, Nick also cites players such as Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Boogaloo Joe Jones and BB King as a constant source of inspiration. The album title, Colours reflects the wide range of moods and grooves found on the album. Having played guitar in the Lack of Afro live band for several years, Nick began making some home recordings of his own material. The Colours recording project came about when Adam Gibbons (Lack of Afro himself) seemed suitably impressed by the demos and offered his services to helm the production. 

The boys booked some studio time in May 2010, and laid the material down with as much vintage ge

Slowtime (feat. Angeline Morrison)

Let's Go Back

Let's Go Back (feat. Lamar Williams Jr.)

Old School

Two Fat Ladies (88)

Boogaloo Is Dead

"Paradox" is the second single from the forthcoming album "Abstract Intuition"

These tracks were recorded in a single session at the end of 2022 and received minimal overdubs of percussion. Even the delays and effects were mostly recorded live between tape machines, delays and a harmonizer.
Improvisations with a certain human rawness.

Twm Dylan - Upright Bass
Ben Hadwen - Sax & Flute 
Raimund Wong - Cassette loops, Yamaha MT400 & processing
Nick Woodmanasey Drums, Percussion, mixing & production

Paradox

Good Sun

Full album 'Nebulous' out January 24
Pre-save and pre-order vinyl: https://bmm.ffm.to/nebulous

Nebulous

Messages

Pre-order

The Natural Yogurt Band & The Oracle - Messages

Bridging past and future, and blending nostalgia with modernity, Julia Mestre’s musical universe expands with the first single ‘Sou Fera’ from her upcoming album. The Brazilian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer, who won a Latin Grammy as part of the brilliant Bala Desejo, is gearing up to unveil a new project that reaffirms her distinctive sound and aesthetics. Embarking on a new road trip, Julia ventures into uncharted territories with this new single. The track, infused with a road-inspired rhythm, was produced by Julia herself alongside Gabriel Quinto, Gabriel Quirino, and João Moreira.

Sun-drenched Balearic airiness mixed with a relaxed Brazilian boogie groove and city pop sensibilities, ‘Sou Fera’ is rich in the halcyon warmth of a beloved ‘80s mixtape. Julia’s breezy vocal timbre navigates a fusion of inﬂuences, including Brazilian icons Rita Lee and Marina Lima, British singer-songwriter Sade and contemporary Brazilian artist, Ana Frango Elétrico. Synth-laden melodies and walking bass, alongside Julia's light and sensual vocal delivery are a sweet taster to the magic of the forthcoming long player.

With its strong ‘80s inﬂuence balanced by contemporary elements, ‘Sou Fera’ captures the transition between the aesthetics of ARREPIADA and the new directions explored in the upcoming album. “The single embodies duality: outwardly, we exude strength and resilience, while inwardly, we are constantly healing and reinventing ourselves. I wanted to reﬂect this ‘wild woman’ spirit—her sensitivity and determination, always chasing dreams,” Julia explains.

“‘Sou Fera’ was created on the road, living the touring life. It reﬂects the present moment—the experience of being constantly in motion, discovering new cultures and places, but also dealing with the solitude and introspection that this lifestyle brings”, Julia elaborates.

Julia Mestre - Sou Fera

Doo-Ha!

Slice, Diced and Fried Twice (feat. Chip Wickham)

Boundaries

Sweetie

PREMIERE - Mambele - Drum Arp Move [Bolingo BXL]
Release Date: 04/01/2025
https://mambele.bandcamp.com/album/baobab
Soundcloud | @mambele
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mambele.music/
Faceboook | https://www.facebook.com/mambelemusic


PREMIERE: Mambele - Drum Arp Move

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 - Andaraí

Proudly presenting ‘Transe’ the first single taken from Zé Ibarra's forthcoming second album. You may be familiar with the hypnotic entrancing tones of Zé’s vocals, through his work in the four-piece, Latin Grammy award-winning Brazilian powerhouse, Bala Desejo and the band Dônica. Zé has also toured with Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento on vocals and guitar, a real honour but also a reflection of Zé's craft to be selected in the band by such a musical titan.

A classic singer-songwriter, 'Transe' sees Zé starting as the song would have been written, simply an acoustic guitar and his voice flowing in an intimate dance. It’s an instantly comforting tone reminiscent of classic Brazilian songs from the past (think Caetano Veloso), before the song builds with ghosty string arrangements, vocal overdubs, and percussion. The energy in Zé's voice intensifies to a climax, as the dial swings in a more contemporary direction powered by a grooving bassline. 

Speaking about the song, Zé mentions, “This song represents, at this moment, a side of me that is still little explored and more intimate. It moves between pop and conceptual, creating an experience closer to a film than a traditional song. This effect is reinforced by the guitar and bass of Frederico Heliodoro, who is also part of Milton Nascimento's band."

‘Transe’ therefore shows a more experimental side to Zé beyond the scared partnership of voice and guitar. Mixing elements of jazz, MPB, and progressive rock, it’s rich and dynamic with a cinematic feel that is full of suspense. A stunning single and a taste of what is to come from one of the finest modern-classic musicians in Brazil’s blooming contemporary scene.


Transe

Presenting the third single ‘Ron Song’ taken from Melbourne/Naarm multi-instrumentalist Don Glori’s forthcoming third album, Paper Can’t Wrap Fire. An ode to Brazil’s musical heritage, it’s Don’s nod to icons and influences including João Donato and Seu George. Samba-flecked, yet with a distinctive Don Glori groove, it’s doused in buttery Rhodes, hazy vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar riffs. Combine that with a serving of long majestic horn lines and the instantly recognisable cuíca and it’s a one-way ticket to Rio’s sunshine-soaked shores. 
 
Speaking about the track, Don mentions, “The thing I love about ‘Ron Song’ is all the ear candy. The Rhodes was routed through the preamp of an original suitcase Rhodes to give it the proper stereo trem it needed. The guitar just breaking through the ribbon mic contrasts against the very digital chorus on the bass. The bass is pushed out to the sides, using every dial tone sample at once. Texturally it feels like an ear massage. 
 
Alcides Neto laid down cuíca throughout the track and fans of Azymuth/Brazilian music in general will appreciate the partido alto underneath the trumpet solo. It’s as if the cuíca and Rhodes are having a conversation in the outro.”


Don Glori - Ron Song

Hotline Service

Disraeli Gears

Tales Of Brave Ulysses

All Eyez On Me

Whatz Ya Phone # (ft. Danny Boy)

Artist: Sonia Cat-Berro
Album : "Toy Balloons" (Le Chant du Monde/ Harmonia Mundi) 2011
Track: 01 "Toy Balloons" (Sonia Cat-Berro/ Gilles Barikosky)
Sonia Cat-Berro : vocals
Gilles Barikosky:  ténor saxophone, compositions
Pierre de Bethmann: Fender rhodes
Yoni Zelnik: doublebass
Karl Jannuska: drums
Gilles "Vézil" Olivesi: mix, electronic

1-Toy Balloons

Artist: Sonia Cat-Berro
Album : "Toy Balloons" (Le Chant du Monde/ Harmonia Mundi) 2011
Track: 07 "A day in the city" (Sonia Cat-Berro/ Gilles Barikosky)
Sonia Cat-Berro : vocals
Gilles Barikosky:  ténor saxophone, compositions
Pierre de Bethmann: Fender rhodes
Yoni Zelnik: doublebass
Karl Jannuska: drums
Gilles "Vézil" Olivesi: mix, electronic

6-A day in the city

Life & Livin' It

Telephone

“New York cool, explorer energy, and outer space vibes” – Village Voice

Don Cherry hops on Sun Ra's spaceship and crash lands in a Silk Road carnival in Uzbekistan.

Slice, Diced and Fried Twice (feat. Chip Wickham)

The Lewis Express