Don Melody Club shares a glimpse of forthcoming EP, Zonder Pardon

28 December 2023

Don Melody Club is the solo project of Amsterdam-based Donald ‘Donny’ Madjid, also known as a member of The Mauskovic Dance Band. The project first came to life in 2021 with his debut album, Pure Donzin, followed last year with his 7” single Zontimenteel / Maandag Motto. Madjid has a new release on the way in the shape of a 5-track EP titled Zonder Pardon. On the upcoming EP, and as the press release describes, “the listener is catapulted into a seductive underwater jungle of uptempo drum machine rhythms, pulsating bass lines and funky melodies.”

In tandem with the EP announcement, Madjid is previewing his first taster of the EP with ‘Tederheid’, a playful and sensual delight depicting “a celebration of the beauty and power of mutual affection”. Take a listen below and watch out for the EP release on January 19th through Bongo Joe Records.

Bongo Joe Records to release new compilation Merengue Típico : Nueva Generación ! in February

10 December 2023

Merengue Típico : Nueva Generación ! is the new compilation set for release on February 9th by Bongo Joe Records, exploring Dominican merengue produced from the late ‘60s to early ‘70s. The compilation features gems from pioneering female icons and revolutionary musical virtuosos, all sourced by Belgian vinyl connoisseur and compiler Xavier Daive AKA Funky Bompa. “This collection showcases blazing technical finesse and the non-stop, high-speed danceable rhythms that still mark the style today”, as the press release describes. “But although the music flies by at a pace that barely leaves time to catch one’s breath, it is also supremely catchy.”

We can already hear a taste from Merengue Típico : Nueva Generación ! with the first peppy single ‘Caña Brava’ by Fefita La Grande, an iconic and prolific accordionist and singer who began performing at the age of 9. Originally composed in the late 1920s as an ad commisions for a rum distillery, ‘Caña Brava’ is a staple merengue song and you can listen to it below.

 

Listen to C. Diab’s second single ‘Quatsino Sound’

09 December 2023

After enticing us with the stunning and enveloping ‘Lunar Barge’, Canadian bowed guitarist and multi-instrumentalist C. Diab has shared a new single titled ‘Quatsino Sound’. The track is lifted from his upcoming album, Imerro, which arrives on February 16th through Tonal Union. ‘Quatsino Sound’ takes its name from an inlet on Northern Vancouver Island where Diab grew up and you can listen to it below.

Hani Mojtahedy and Andi Toma unveil new project, HJirok; announce debut album

09 December 2023

HJirok is the exciting new project of producer Andi Toma, also known as one half of electronic music pioneers Mouse on Mars, and Iranian-born Kurdish singer and artist Hani Mojtahedy. Comes March 8th, the fruits of their collaboration will be released in the shape of an album called Hjirok, through Altin Village & Mine. Described as a mythical figure, HJirok was devised by Mojtahedy as a fictional character. Their upcoming record combines field recordings collected in their travels to Iraqi Kurdistan and other places, with recordings of Sufi drum rhythms and setar melodies, as well as her unconventional vocal techniques and polyglot lyrics upholding her memories. “The project is rooted in the figures of the Sufi dervishes and thus a culture that precedes today’s political, social, cultural, and religious systems,” Mohtahedy explained. “The Sufi sound travelled around the entire world. I like to think of it as a dialogue between peoples – one based on the rhythms of the drums and the sound of their voices.”

Mojtahedy, who stands out as a staunch advocate for the rights of the Kurdish people and women under oppression, cites Kurdish writer Ebdulla Peşêw as an inspiration. “At their core, these are about that day on which violence and fear become a thing of the past; what they tell you is to not give up, to keep hoping.”

HJirok have shared ‘Jin Bo Chie’, serving as the first entrancing and gripping single from the album. Take a listen below.

Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble announce 50th anniversary album, Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit

05 December 2023

Photo: Christopher Andrew

In celebration of Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble‘s milestone 50th anniversary, Spiritmuse Records has a special release from them on the way. On March 8th, they’ll release a new album titled Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit, described as “a visionary journey into deep roots and future routes, channeling traditions old and new”. The record features originals like ‘Barundi’, ‘Hang Tuff’, ‘Ornette’ ,and ‘Great Black Music’ as well as other modern compositions which El’Zabar arranged, including an interpretation of Miles Davis’ ‘All Blues’.

Alongside the news, Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble are giving us the first phenomenal taste from the album in the shape of lead single ‘Compared To What’, a protest song originally written by Eugene McDaniel which was first recorded by Robert Flack in 1969, and later, Les McCann and Eddie Harris. Of the track, El’Zabar says:

“Compared To What’ was my father, Clifton Blackburn Sr’s favourite tune. On Saturdays, he would play jazz all day, and later in the evening, he would scat, sing rhythms, and then he and I would improvise together on the grooves that he taught me. It was all ‘Compared to What.’”

‘Compared To What’ comes with an accompanying video and you can watch it below.