Episode 52
Featuring tracks by Gogo Penguin, Camille Bertault, North Americans, Fruit Bats, Abraham Réunion, PJ Harvey, April Marmara, Secret Night Gang, B.E.F. & Tina Turner, Guru, A Tribe Called Quest, Nubya Garcia, Total Refreshment Centre & Resavoir, Alexander Flood, and more…
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Episode 52 Highlights
Gogo Penguin
GoGo Penguin are at their cinematic best on new song ‘Friday Film Special’.
The aptly-titled new release comes ahead of their incoming album, which GoGo Penguin teased with a handful of UK shows over winter. The Manchester instrumental group absorb fresh influences on ‘Everything Is Going To Be OK’, a sign of the lasting chemistry that propels them forwards.
GoGo Penguin ease into a fresh sphere on this new track, one that points to the lingering influence of instrumental hip-hop. The band were fans of hip-hop production, in particular the dense, layered sample-delic approach DJ Shadow.
Camille Bertault
Bonjour Mon Amour is the highly anticipated new album by the talented French jazz artist, Camille Bertault. Known for her incredible vocal range and mastery of scat singing, Bertault once again showcases her unique musicality and artistry in this latest release. The album effortlessly blends elements of jazz, bossa nova, and French chanson, creating a captivating and enchanting listening experience.
From the moment the first track begins, it is evident that Bonjour Mon Amour is a labor of love for Bertault. Her velvety smooth vocals, combined with the rich and intricate arrangements, transport listeners to a world of romance and nostalgia. The album features a mix of original compositions and reinterpretations of classic French jazz standards, all infused with Bertault's distinctive style and charisma.
Bonjour Mon Amour is a testament to Camille Bertault's prowess as a jazz artist and her ability to push the boundaries of the genre. With this album, she continues to establish herself as one of the most exciting and innovative voices in contemporary jazz. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to her music, Bonjour Mon Amour is an album that will captivate and delight, leaving you longing for more of Bertault's enchanting melodies and captivating performances.
April Marmara
April Marmara's new album, Still Life, is a testament to her evolution as a musician. With its lush and ethereal soundscapes, the album transports listeners into a world of introspection and introspection. Marmara's hauntingly beautiful vocals and poetic lyricism are showcased in tracks like "Fading Colors" and "Silent Reverie," where she delves into themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Still Life is a deeply personal and introspective album that resonates with its raw emotion and vulnerability.
The production on Still Life is a standout feature, with its delicate balance of acoustic instrumentation and atmospheric textures. Marmara's voice floats effortlessly over the intricate arrangements, creating a sense of intimacy that draws the listener in. Tracks like "Shadows of Yesterday" and "Ephemeral Whispers" showcase her ability to weave intricate melodies and captivating harmonies, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
Still Life is a testament to Marmara's artistry and her ability to create a sonic landscape that reflects the complexities of the human experience. It is a compelling album that invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and emotions. With its introspective lyrics, atmospheric production, and Marmara's captivating vocals, Still Life is a must-listen for fans of indie folk and singer-songwriter genres.
North Americans
Long Cool World is the new album by North Americans, the musical project of guitarist and composer Patrick McDermott. Released to critical acclaim, this instrumental album takes listeners on a mesmerizing journey through McDermott's rich sonic landscapes. The album seamlessly blends elements of folk, ambient, and psychedelic music, resulting in a truly immersive and atmospheric listening experience.
From the opening track, "River to Nowhere," McDermott's intricate guitar work sets the tone for the album. His melodic fingerpicking and intricate chord progressions create a sense of tranquility and introspection. Each track on Long Cool World has its own distinct character and mood, showcasing McDermott's diverse range of musical influences and his ability to create vivid musical narratives.
The album's title track, "Long Cool World," is a standout piece that highlights McDermott's mastery of his instrument. The delicate interplay of acoustic guitar and subtle electronic elements creates a dreamlike atmosphere, evoking a sense of wide-open spaces and contemplation. Tracks like "American Dipper" and "Rivers That You Cannot See" showcase McDermott's ability to create evocative sonic landscapes, transporting listeners to serene and ethereal realms.
Long Cool World is an album that rewards attentive and patient listening. McDermott's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create intricate musical textures make for a deeply immersive experience. Whether listened to as a whole or enjoyed as individual tracks, Long Cool World invites the listener to get lost in its mesmerizing and otherworldly soundscapes.
Overall, Long Cool World is a testament to Patrick McDermott's talent as a composer and guitarist. It is a stunning showcase of his ability to craft evocative and enchanting instrumental music that transcends genres. Fans of ambient, folk, and experimental music will find much to appreciate in the serene and introspective journey that Long Cool World offers.
Secret Night Gang
British jazz, funk, and street soul group, Secret Night Gang, have announced the release of their second studio album, Belongs On A Place Called Earth, set to hit the shelves in June via Brownswood Recordings. Alongside the album announcement, the band has dropped their latest groove-laden single, “Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings“.
Manchester natives and childhood friends Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell lead the Secret Night Gang, whose genre-blending sound is characterized by dynamic melodies, striking brass accents, and jazz-inflected soul prowess.
The band has been championed by tastemakers such as Deb Grant (Jazz FM), Craig Charles, Crack Magazine, and Vinyl Factory, and handpicked by legendary broadcaster, DJ, producer, and label head Gilles Peterson in 2021.
The upcoming album, Belongs on a Place Called Earth, is inspired by the relatable, hard-hitting realities of life in 2023. Anderson and Connell address pressing themes such as equality, love, and heartbreak while spreading a powerful and uplifting message.
Secret Night Gang has a busy year ahead, with a series of singles, a second studio album, and an exciting lineup of live shows, including performances at Cross The Tracks in London, Love Supreme, and more to be announced.
Total Refreshment Centre
All the best music has a community underneath it. The extended family around London’s Total Refreshment Centre (TRC) connects continents and generations, creating the rich relationships in full effect on Transmissions From Total Refreshment Centre.
It’s an eclectic and electric collection that draws from new school jazz, hip hop, dub, soul, funk, and drill: sounds you’ll hear trailing out of cars as they spin up the Kingsland Road or spiraling out of doorways like so much smoke. Turn it up loud to hear the widescreen young cousins of Guru’s landmark Jazzmatazz in full effect: top players from London, Chicago, and Melbourne seeking out new collaborations, new ways of working, or just new tunes, always coming back to that central truth – that we all need each other.
Tracklist
B.E.F. & Tina Turner - Ball of Confusion
Camille Bertault - Acrécran
Abraham Réunion feat. Tilo Bertholo - Hé-ho
Guru feat. Baybe - Lifesaver
Ronny Jordan - No Pay, No Play
A Tribe Called Quest - The Jam
Secret Night Gang - Out of My Head
April Marmara - Who Knows Where the Love Goes
Syl Johnson - Goodie Goodie Good Times
Miles Davis - Fantasy
Chip Wickham - Rebel No. 23
Bernardo Pinheiro & Jean Mafra - (Outro) Brasil
The Walkabouts - The Light Will Stay On
Fruit Bats - Sick of This Feeling
PJ Harvey - A Child’s Question, August
Nubya Garcia - Fly Free
GoGo Penguin - Friday Film Special
Total Refreshment Centre & Resavoir - Plight
Alexander Flood - U R THA 1
North Americans - Classic Water