Mixtape #151


Hailing from Kuopio, Finland, Aki Rissanen is one of the most talented and creative artists of his generation. An accomplished pianist, composer and keyboardist, his solo and trio albums have earned him global recognition, along with membership and collaborations with various bands and projects. Originally classically trained, he cultivated his passion for jazz and improvised music later studying in Paris, Cologne and New York. Rissanen rightfully brings his technical abilities and sensibilities to the fore on the recently released Hyperreal, a powerful, beautiful and engaging album filled with virtuosity. We’re stoked to have him put together this month’s sublime mixtape, encapsulating the influences at play in his own music.

  1. Art Tatum – Taboo [Clef Records]
  2. Atomic – Boom Boom [Jazzland Recordings]
  3. Arve Henriksen – Bird’s-Eye View [Rune Grammofon]
  4. Bill Evans Trio – Gloria’s Step (Take 2) [Riverside Records]
  5. Serge Gainsbourg – Requiem pour un con [Philips]
  6. Artemis Quartet – Prestissimo (Ligeti’s String Quartet n.1) [Westdeutscher Rundfunk / Ars Musici]
  7. Ahmad Jamal – But Not For me [Parrot]
  8. Louis Sclavis – Maputo [Premonition Records]
  9. Brad Mehldau Trio – Knives Out [Nonesuch]
  10. Alfons & Aloys Kontarsky – Bewegung (Ligeti’s 3 pieces for 2 pianos)
  11. Miles Davis – Directions (Live at Filmore West) [Rock Melon Music LTD]
  12. Bill Frisell & Fred Hersch – It Might As Well Be Spring [Nonesuch]
  13. A Camp – The Crowning [Reveal Records / Nettwerk]

Mixtape #134

A new year is upon us and what better way to set the mood than with a mixtape curated by the brilliant and imaginative Matthias Lindermayr. Whether you know his work with German jazz group Fazer, his collaborations with artists like Carlos Cipa, or his own beguiling solo works, Lindermayr is one of Germany’s leading jazz trumpet players. Crossing the borders between composition and improvisation, his magnificent third album Triptych has completely enthralled us and is one of our Album Picks of 2021. Needless to say, we're ecstatic to unveil this stunning mix that perfectly encapsulates the spectrum of influences at play in the album, from jazz to classical to contemporary music. Press play already!

  1. Girls in Airport – Stonehouse [Kaja Records]
  2. Peter Evans & Levy Lorenzo – Axis [More is More Records]
  3. Roberto Oyarzun Susnar – Ligeti Etude VII [Chancacazo]
  4. Christian Wallumrod Ensemble – Danszaal [Hubro]
  5. Bill Frisell [with Dave Holland & Elvin Jones] – Twenty Years [Nonesuch Records]
  6. Arve Henriksen – Acceptance [ArveMusic]
  7. Koma Saxo – Fanfarum for Komarum II [We Jazz Records]
  8. Portico Quartet – Line [Real World]
  9. Tigran Hamasyan – Etude No. 1 [Nonesuch Records]
  10. Mark Hollis – The daily Planet [Polydor Records]
  11. Mathias Eick – Children [ECM]
  12. Makaya McCraven – Inner Flight [International Anthem]
  13. Cuong Vu – Vina’s Lullaby [Knitting Factory]

Mixtape #101

Our first mixtape of the year is here and it is amazing, put together by Toronto based composer and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Shabason. Known for his longtime collaboration with Destroyer and DIANA, he is also a busy recording artist and touring musician. Marrying jazz and ambient, Shabason first enticed us with his debut album Aytche, which he followed up last year with Anne, a beguiling and affecting album that made it to our Album Picks of 2018. So we're over the moon he found the time to pick this marvellous mix of tracks for us!

  1. John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman – Lush Life [Impulse!]
  2. Prefab Sprout – Nightingales [Kitchenware Records / CBS]
  3. Mid-Air Thief – Why? [Botanical House]
  4. Bernice – David [Arts & Crafts]
  5. Arve Henriksen – Patient Zero [Rune Grammofon]
  6. Beverly Glenn-Copeland – Ever New [Atlast Records]
  7. Hiroshi Yoshimura – Singing Stream (Spring Mix) [Eastworld]
  8. Pauline Anna Strom – Freedom at the 45th Floor [Rvng Intl.]
  9. Peter Gabriel – Donʼt Give Up [Geffen]
  10. Phil Manzanera – Big Day [Island Records]
  11. Nicholas Krgovich – Along the PCH on Oscar Night [Tin Angel Records]
  12. Joni Mitchell = The Three Great Stimulants [Geffen]
  13. Donald Fagen – The Goodbye Look [Warner Bros. Records]