New & hot: Jazz & Blues

After releasing the stupendous 2022 LP “Tutto Passa,” Gianni Brezzo, the multi-instr. studio project led by Marvin Horsch, continues the lush sonic exploration w/ EP “Amoria,” + 1st single, “Centric.” Nuanced and thematic, the tracks swelling synths, woodwinds, and guitars meld w/ catchy percussive grooves that make it impossible not to sway along, like a boat on calm, serene seas. Perfect for placement in jazz, funk and soul-focused playlists. 

“Amoria” is out on Jakarta Records November 18.

Stream / Pre-Order here: https://giannibrezzo.lnk.to/Centric

Gianni Brezzo - Centric

Interstellar exploration from Philadelphia. 

Download and tracklisting: https://bit.ly/XLR8Rpodcast_TheSunRaArkestra

XLR8R Podcast

Download & Tracklist

XLR8R Podcast 769 - The Sun Ra Arkestra

https://www.nts.live/shows/the-extended-play-sessions/episodes/the-extended-play-sessions-8th-october-2022

Long time record collector and purveyor of fine musical flavours Mr. Pedro cooks up a banquet of aural delights every other week: afrobeat to disco and more, time to liven up.

The Extended Play Sessions w/ Mr Pedro - 081022

To celebrate 50 years of Caravan, Canterbury Christ Church students and staff have worked with Jack Hues and Joe Inkpen to create three new variations on Caravan material. 

1 - Hello Hello variations, arranged by Joe Inkpen 
2 - Nine Feet Underground variations, arranged by Matt Wright
3 - River Stour - Summer Day, based on Caravan material and arranged by Jack Hues 

guitar/bass/effects - Jack Hues
guitar/effects - Joe Inkpen 
organ - John Bochnowski
drums - Toby Evangelou 
production - Matt Wright

thanks to Caravan, the Canterbury Festival and tech support at Canterbury Christ Church University

1 - HELLO HELLO Variations

Ever since he remixed Abimaro & The Free’s ‘Mark’ back in 2014, NuNorthern Soul boss Phil Cooper has kept in touch with Daniel Stenger, the producer and self-taught multi-instrumentalist behind the Flashbaxx project. Cooper was always convinced that Sanger would be capable of crafting a very special release for the label but was willing to give him time to come up with something special.

With Take Care My Friend, a mini-album inspired by the German producer’s deeply rooted love of jazz-funk, Stenger has repaid the faith shown in him. He’s delivered a collection of quality cuts marked out by audible warmth, effortless musicality and memorable, sun-soaked songs.

As he makes clear in the liner notes included with the vinyl version of the mini album, the project began with the recording of luscious, Rhodes-laden opener ‘Alright’. After staying up all night recording the track, Stenger not only decided to continue recording with the same relatively limited set of instruments (think bass and electric guitars, drums, piano, electric piano, organ, hand percussion and a handful of synthesizers), but also stick to a hybrid sound that added a subtle Latin shuffle to his Balearic-minded take on jazz, funk and soul fusion.

We’re biased of course, but there’s no denying that Stenger’s creative choices have resulted in a superb set of tracks. While the restricted kit list provided focus during the music-making process, there’s still plenty of musical variety across the six tracks that make up the set.

For proof, compare and contrast the jazzy, loose-limbed headiness of ‘It Just Happens’, where simmering synth-strings, twinkling melodic motifs and glistening guitar licks rise above smooth jazz-funk bass and a gentle broken beat rhythm, and the slow-motion soul brilliance of ‘Strangers’, where Kathryn Kempf’s evocative and poignant lead vocals rise above a sumptuous downtempo groove and heart-aching piano lines.

This subtly varied but musically coherent vibe continues across the mini album. Stenger indulges in a bit of New York daydreaming on ‘Brooklyn Love Boat’, a wonderfully musically detailed chunk of 1970s style jazz-funk heat that offers knowing nods to Roy Ayers, Herbie Hancock and the jazz-fusion stylings of Azymuth, before opting for a deeper, slower and even more seductive sound on the Hammond-sporting bliss of ‘Take Care My Friend’.

Closing cut ‘City Lights’, a gorgeous, soft-focus affair smothered in echoing Rhodes riffs and immersive chords, has the feel of an underground classic in waiting: a stirring, string-drenched future sing-along whose emotion-packed lyrics are delivered brilliantly by Glasgow-born singer/songwriter Chris Pookah.

Despite the song’s subject matter – the painful final breakdown of a relationship – there’s something strangely uplifting about the combination of Pookah’s pitch-perfect vocal delivery and the absorbing warmth of Stenger’s comforting and sonically detailed music. It provides a fittingly impressive finish to a mightily immersive mini album.

BUY on BANDCAMP

PREMIERE : Flashbaxx - Brooklyn Love Boat (Moods Sundown Remix)

We hope that you like this latest collaboration, all the music was written and produced  by Mark. Such a beautiful atmospheric piece of music! Please go over to Mark's page and listen to more amazing music!! @markd54321

Candlelights  (Ft Mark Dorricott )

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The Extended Play Sessions w/ Mr Pedro - 081022

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