A hazy trip through some flavours of IXCHEL...

Cuts from Ebi Soda, Ash Walker, Reginald Omas Mamode IV, Sudan Archives, Cleo Sol, ESG, Cymande, Helado Negro and more...

Some new music next week.

With thanks to Ariel Traverso x

001. Charlie IXCHEL // Entré

A TRIBUTE TO MY CITY ''AL MUHARRAQ''
A REWORK/REMIX OF THE TITLED TRACK ''AL MUHARRAQ'' OFF (FINDING MY WAY HOME) PROJECT BY YAZZ AHMED.

Yazz Ahmed - Al Muharraq (DUST. Remix)

The Lost Pearl (Hector Plimmer Remix)

Yazz Ahmed - The Lost Pearl (Hector Plimmer Remix)

Yazz Ahmed enlists three top notch producers for her 'La Saboteuse Remixed' EP. DJ Khalab’s rework of ‘Jamil Jamal’ gives frantic, electronic verve to the original’s jazz experimentalism…

Read more: https://bit.ly/2uIXFQa

La Saboteuse, Remixed

Premiere: Yazz Ahmed ‘Jamil Jamal (DJ Khalab Remix)’

Full stream of @black-ea-n-o-maya's bass-heavy remix of @yazzahmed's "Al Emadi," out August 17 on @naimrecs.

More info: https://www.xlr8r.com/news/premiere-hear-a-dynamic-remix-from-principe-trio-blacksea-nao-maya

More info

Premiere: Yazz Ahmed - Al Emadi (Blacksea NaÌƒo Maya remix)

IXCHEL are simmering with excitement to present a super limited release from the formidable Yazz Ahmed entitled ‘A Shoal of Souls’.

The release marks the final chapter of her 2017 ‘La Saboteuse’ - an explosive album that turned heads worldwide, scooped numerous best of ’17 lists, as well as becoming a heavyweight UN certified UNESCO album of the decade. High praise for an artist on her second full length release.

‘A Shoal of Souls’ cements the formidable relationship that has been established between Yazz and Sophie Bass. Sophie is one of the most exciting illustrators currently operating worldwide; still in her twenties, her enlivening work across the Jazz scene has already sparked comparisons with Reid Miles. She was given free response to create the stunning four panel gatefold artwork for La Saboteuse, before being tasked to remix her own artwork where she captured the electronic rhythm and groove of the Hector Plimmer, DJ Khalab and Blacksea Não Maya reworks for the genre-breaking ‘La Saboteuse Remixed’ EP.

Music is intrinsic to Sophie’s creative process, fuelling her distinctive style that embodies symbolism and social justice. On seeing her music visually “come alive” Yazz was overwhelmingly inspired to create, this feeling best captured in Yazz’s presentation of the movement to Sophie.

“I was inspired to compose this piece  - compelled actually - after seeing your amazing, evocative, artwork for Chapter Two. Suddenly seeing my inner destroyer, La Saboteuse, given physical form as a living breathing entity made me gasp  - a real jaw dropping moment.

The way that you transposed psychological concepts into a physical image - my anti-muse literally dragging the victim into the depths… it really helped cement the whole idea - seeing how dangerous and evil she can be. 

I was already thinking about the migrants who perished at sea when I named the chapter The Shoal of Souls, and this new composition is dedicated to all the people who have lost their lives crossing the sea in search of a better future.

I hope the music conveys the strength and power of the human spirit, the bravery to risk everything for their families, the anger I feel at the response of the West, a lack of empathy, a lack of compassion. They are not a swarm, they are us - humans.

The music is also inspired by Sufism, the idea of whirling and turning, falling into a trance, a dream. I see a mirror with the whirling turning ocean, a whirlpool of lost souls, of untold stories, talents and lives unfulfilled: joining together in the eternal dance and rhythm of a vast shoal of fish which seems to beat like a heart.”

Presented with the intertwining of two mammoth creatives we were compelled to create something truly special….

The record comes heavyweight, as a limited collectors edition worthy of the discogs-breaking prices La Saboteuse is currently fetching. Cementing the collaboration, Yazz’s music forms the A side while on the B is Sophie’s artwork; a whirlpool of fish and souls spinning backwards into the ocean when played, embodying the voice of the music.

Copies 1 - 50 come numbered and include a limited edition print of the cover art signed by Yazz. The release also marks the first time a Yazz Ahmed test pressing has ever been available to buy.

Move fast to grab a little piece of Jazz history.

Limited 12"

Yazz Ahmed - A Shoal Of Souls

British-Bahraini trumpeter and composer, Yazz Ahmed, will release a second remix EP in October. Listen to DJ Plead's psychedelic trip through vibrant percussion and sultry brass on his remix of 'Ruby Bridges' now.

Premiere: Yazz Ahmed 'Ruby Bridges (DJ Plead Remix)'

LA club queen, Asmara, drops her dreamy rework of ‘One Girl Among Many’. Asmara is the second artist commissioned by British-Bahraini trumpeter and composer, Yazz Ahmed, for her sophomore remix EP, ‘Polyhymnia Remixed’. Joining esteemed underground producers DJ Plead and Surly to rework the acclaimed 2019 album Polyhymnia, Asmara adds a tender touch to Yazz’s spiritual jazz with this shimmering rework. Recently premiering via zweikommasieben, ‘One Girl Among Many’ has been reimagined into a mystical, meditative journey.

Speaking on the remix, Asmara says:

“Yazz’s music teleports me to a meditative space where I can stay forever. 

I wanted to build upon that foundation and yet bring the sound into a space that relates to my landscape.”

Seamlessly blending R&B, grime, pop, hip-hop and club music, Asmara's influence on the electronic underground club sound of today is undeniable. A concept based on inspiring women, commissioning Asmara - a true contemporary female role model - was a no brainer for the Polyhymnia remix project. Cutting her teeth as a DJ with over a decade at the helm of LA queer party, Mustache, while also spinning at clubs, touring with MIA and soundtracking events including the MTV Video Music Awards, the acclaimed artist is a keen collaborator, also known for her work in projects such as Nguzunguzu (with Daniel Pineda) and Future Brown (with Fatima Al Qadiri, Daniel Pineda, and J-Crush). More recently, Asmara began a residency with  the ensemble at the Schauspielhaus Zürich, further developing her career as a composer for both film and theatre.

Speaking on Asmara’s remix, Yazz Ahmed says:

“I love the panoramic landscape of this track – it’s absolutely beautiful, mesmerising, teleporting me to a peaceful place away from all the troubles in the world. Asmara has transformed the source material into a brand new work of art, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I just can’t stop listening!”

Polyhymnia Remixed

One Girl Among Many (Asmara Remix)

Out October 30, pre-order it here: https://yazzahmed.bandcamp.com/album/polyhymnia-remixed

Award-winning British-Bahraini jazz pioneer @yazzahmed is releasing a 'Polyhymnia Remixed' featuring artists who beautifully mirror her "psychedelic arabic jazz" sound: DJ Plead, Asmara and Surly.

On his remix, @surlynz said: "Yazz gave me a very open brief for this, so I didn't go in with any plan re: genre or BPM. I listened to the original track and the stems for about a week, and tried some different chops and tempos, but nothing really had me hooked. One morning I left the house with it stuck in my head, and by the end of the day, what I could hear sounded like this. Stripped back, faster, with a syncopated bassline and a focus on the drums and the trumpet solo. There was so much other rich material I wanted to use, particularly from the intro, but I felt that adding more would take away from the mood I already had, so I kept it to a few key sections and let it breathe."

Premiere: Yazz Ahmed 'Deeds Not Words' (Surly remix)

'High priestess of psychedelic Arabic jazz’
Yazz Ahmed is a multi-award winning British-Bahraini trumpet player, composer and producer. She is renowned for her unique vision of psychedelic Arabic jazz and electronic experimentations.

One Girl Among Many (Asmara Remix)

Yazz Ahmed

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