Category Archives: Blog

Joe Policastro Trio set to release sixth album, Ceremony, in October

02 September 2023

There’s a new album on the way from Joe Policastro Trio, the outfit of Chicago based bassist Joe Policastro, also comprising Dave Miller on guitar and Mikel Avery on drums. Entitled Ceremony, the album will see the light of day on October 13th through JeruJazz Records. Described as “a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention”, Ceremony features original compositions as well as some surprising cover songs. “We make interesting choices in the music that we play, whether it’s the originals or adapting music way outside of jazz,” Policastro explained. “There’s a purity of expression that I think is unique to this group, this project. It’s so cool to hear things in a totally different way, to study them through new lenses.”

Recorded in triple-true stereo by sound engineer Ken Christensen, the album faithfully captures their live sound.  “We have always been a live band”, Policastro added. “All of our albums have essentially been ‘live’ captures of the group, but Ceremony has added depth aurally and musically.”

Ahead of the album’s release, Joe Policastro Trio have shared its title track, which is a cover of the New Order song of the same name interpolated with Erik Satie’s ‘Gymnopédie’. The single is offered with a live video, filmed by Chris Strong and edited by David Sampson. Watch it below.

Azmari tease new album, Maelström, with first single ‘Sheep Party’

02 September 2023

Photot: Monday Jr

Belgian outfit Azmari conquered our ears with their mesmerising blend of ethiogroove, dub, psychfunk and eastern sounds. Following their outstanding debut album, Samā’ī, they are gearing up to release a new record. Entitled Maelström, it arrives on October 20th through Sdban Ultra and saw the band enlist the help of sound engineer and producer Frederik Segers. As the press release describes,  Maelström is “an elevated soundscape that seamlessly integrates traditional instruments with a symphony of balanced pedal effects and enchanting amplification.”

Azmari have let loose the first single from the record, the effervescent and exuberant ‘Sheep Party’, a track loaded with groove. ‘Sheep Party’ will set us off with intoxicating headiness. Take a listen below.

John Raymond & S. Carey unveil live video for third single ‘Transient’

31 August 2023

 

We´re only a couple of weeks away from the release of Shadowlands, the collaborative album from Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter John Raymond and Bon Iver sideman S. Carey. Last month they’ve shared the gorgeous and soothing ‘Steadfast’ feat. Gordi and to entice us further, the pair have shared a third heavenly single from the album called ‘Transient’. Speaking about it, Raymond had this to say:

“In the months leading up to the initial round of recording we did for the album, I started developing an idea for a melody and chord progression that had a really strong feeling to me but no clear direction. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t find the song inside of it. Then, one morning during the sessions, I came to the studio a bit early by myself. I sat down at the piano, started playing the idea, and within thirty minutes the entire song unveiled itself. It was magical.

As I played it for the first time, I remember feeling like each phrase had this fleeting, transient quality to it. The song feels like it’s here for a moment and then just vanishes. The more we played it, the more I felt like it was symbolic of the inspiration that all the songs on the record came from.”

‘Transient’ comes with an accompanying video recorded at the Masonic Temple in Eau Claire, WI and it features Aaron Parks on piano, Jeremy Boettcher on bass, and Ben Lester on synth and pedal steel. Watch it below.

Shadowlands is out on September 15th through Libellule Editions

Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers share second single, ‘Fey Nan Bwa’, off upcoming album Somanti

31 August 2023

Back in June, Haitian six-piece Chouk Bwa and Belgian production duo The Ångströmers announced the release of Somanti, the follow-up to their 2020 debut album Vodou Alé. Alongside the news, they then shared a first glimpse at the record with the entrancing and intoxicating title track. Ahead of the album’s release on October 6th through Bongo Joe Records, Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers are sharing today a second single titled ‘Fey Nan Bwa’. As the press release describes, the track sees them “temporarily park the rumbling bass, leaning towards a more restrained, lighter tone while remaining faithful to Chouk Bwa’s ceremonial instrumentation and vocals”. Take a listen now.

Tara Clerkin Trio set to release new EP, On The Turning Ground, in November

30 August 2023

Photo: Stephanie Third

Tara Clerkin Trio‘s In Spring EP was one of the most thrilling surprises of 2021 so we’re excited to know the trio of Tara Clerkin and brothers Sunny-Joe Paradiso and Patrick Benjamin have a new EP on the way. Entitled On The Turning Ground, the 5-track EP comprises “26 minutes of probing, thoughtful composition that draws from no one specific source”, as the press release describes. Their Bristol hometown serves as an anchor to their magnetic compositions, attuned to the city’s “rich musical heritage built on fwd-facing electronic subcultures and experimental urges”.

On The Turning Ground arrives on November 3rd through World of Echo and Tara Clerking Trio have today shared the first single, ‘The Turning Ground’, an exquisitely beautiful and beaming euphony of sound. The band made a video to accompany it and you can watch it below.