Episode 50
Featuring tracks by Brandee Younger, Scrimshire, Rogê, Joe Pass, Les Imprimés, Stik Figa & The Expert, Hidden Orchestra & Floex, JFDR, Arooj Aftab, The Circling Sun, Rahill & Beck, Cymande, and more..
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Episode 50 Highlights
Brandee Younger
Brandee Younger releases her new album Brand New Life via Impulse! Records.
At once a stunning testament to Younger’s power as a composer and a remarkable tribute to trailblazing harpist Dorothy Ashby, the album features Pete Rock, 9 th Wonder, Mumu Fresh, and more.
Younger is also joined on Brand New Life by icons of hip-hop and R&B, many of whom have been inspired by Ashby themselves. DJ and rapper Pete Rock joins Younger for a powerful rework of Ashby’s “Livin’ and Lovin’ in My Own Way,”.
Meanwhile, 9th Wonder adds infectious production to a new interpretation of “The
Windmills of Your Mind,” and Meshell N’degeocello contributes dreamy vocals to Younger's imaginative take on Ashby's 1969 track "Dust."
The Circling Sun
New Zealand’s jazz luminaries have assembled to form an all-star cluster: The Circling Sun.
Channeling spiritual/modal jazz and Latin rhythms, they simultaneously reference the greats such as Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane, while maintaining a fresh perspective on ensemble dynamics.
Perhaps the group’s name is no coincidence - each instrument seems to be in orbit around the concept of symbiotic synergy - and everyone is given equal space to shine; from a psychedelic Korg, to a delirious saxophone or the gentle ripples of a harp. There’s a huge array of keyboards, skillfully manned by the likes of Guy Harrison and Cory Champion (Clear Path Ensemble), with a standout acoustic piano solo by Harrison on “Plume”.
Not to be outshone, the wind section delivers ecstatic saxophone riffs, fluttering flutes and solid horn choruses throughout. Meanwhile, providing vital foundational support are the percussion (Soundway alumnus Julien Dyne), vibraphone, acoustic bass and full choir arranged by Matt Hunter.
It’s a testament to their harmonious relationship and skill that this debut album instantly sounds like a classic from a group that might have been together a decade.
Bokani Dyer
Already a multi award-winning and established artist, with a growing global reputation, Bokani Dyer’s newest record provides an intimate view into South Africa’s multifaceted people - and an opportunity for global connection through music.
Titled Radio Sechaba, the album continues Dyer’s creative journey of making rich and immersive music which places him amongst the new wave of South African jazz artists, including the likes of Siya Makuzeni and Nduduzo Makhathini. Throughout the 15-tracks, Dyer’s multi-faceted influences permeate the set of original songs, resulting in a rewarding listening experience..
Hidden Orchestra
This unusual collection of music brings a further seven previously-unreleased tracks from the original Creaks soundtrack, plus two extensively re-imagined live band versions, and seven remixes from a very diverse set of artists, all interspersed to create an adventurous yet cohesive new album.
Here, the Hidden Orchestra sound-world – a headily rhythmic, escapist and expansive sonic space where electronic/bass, folk and post-rock influences combine – is stretched and complemented by forays into colourful, dancefloor-ready experimental techno, delicately plucked ambient/modern-classical pieces, blasts of bass clarinet free jazz, and even a dalliance with cutting-edge AI technology.
The bonus tracks include some which appear by popular demand; some of the music from the interactive mini-game paintings; and an exclusive, AI-generated cello-and-clarinets-only version of the soundtrack’s main theme. The latter is an arrangement generated by the same AI that controls the music in the game – which chooses multiple layers of the clarinets of Jack McNeill and the cello of Rebecca Knight at the start of each loop, and would carry on infinitely with no detectable repetition.
Scrimshire
"This is dedicated to the politicians who have forced refugees into life-threatening decisions. Pushing people into the hands of traffickers, into small boats and too many beneath the waves of our seas. Who force the lives of men, women and children into more danger, in the hope of escaping war, poverty and persecution only to meet more cruelty and persecution. It won't be forgotten and it won't be forgiven."
In the last few weeks of October 2022 Scrimshire wrote a new collection of songs with the working title "Scream". A direct response to the absurdity of the breakdown in the UK government, the horror of the treatment of refugees arriving on our shores and the callous disregard for the trauma being caused to low income people or anyone considered "other". While self-preserving conservative MPs fought for their jobs, while record profits were announced by energy companies, as they were gouging crippling amounts of money from people's pockets. How does a society stop the callousness and corruption from seeping into its bones?
The anger, sadness, mourning, frustration was poured into these recordings.
Rahill
Iranian-American singer-songwriter Rahill announces a deeply personal solo project ‘Flowers At Your Feet’ on Ninja Tune imprint Big Dada, her new label home in which she sits comfortably alongside labelmates Yaya Bey and LYZZA.
The album – which across its 14 tracks features collaborations with Beck and Jasper Marsalis (Slauson Malone) – follows Rahill’s nostalgic 2022 covers EP ‘Sun Songs’ and sees her moving along a journey of self-acceptance and self-love; reflecting on childhood and family while honouring the people and moments that defined her. The project draws on elements of trip-hop, jazz and alt-rock music, all underpinned by Rahill’s reverent and thoughtful lyricism.
Recorded in phases during the lockdown, the album was created in close collaboration between Rahill and producer Alex Epton (FKA Twigs, Arca) who immediately identified the strength and potential of Rahill’s pre-existing solo compositions, some of which she’d written years earlier.
Tracklist
Sven Wunder - Easy Going
Rogê - Pra Vida
Os Mutantes - She’s My Shoo Shoo
Andrea Brachfeld - Descarga Del Mundo
Joe Pass - I Am Waiting
Lee Fields - Waiting On The Sidelines
Les Imprimés - Falling Away
Bokani Dyer - Resonance of Truth
MFSB - Mysteries Of The World
Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 & BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Cariad, Cariad
Stik Figa & The Expert - The Green Monster
Hidden Orchestra & Floex - Palace End (Floex Remix)
Shokazulu - Seeing Is Believing
Scrimshire, Nat Birchall - Unforgotten, Unforgiven
Brandee Younger - Moving Target
JFDR - Spectator
Arooj Aftab - Inayaat
Bedouine - Hey, Who Really Cares?
Rahill, Beck - Fables
The Circling Sun - Bones
Bruno Berle - Até Meu Violão
Manu Dibango - Qui est fou de qui
Cymande - Dove