Tag Archives: Sam Wilkes

Mixtape #180

02 February 2026

Emerging from the fertile Chicago post-rock scene of the late 1990s, Pullman features members of Tortoise, Directions in Music, Rex, Come, and Eleventh Dream Day. A studio-born acoustic supergroup, the band brings together Ken “Bundy K.” Brown, Curtis Harvey, Chris Brokaw, and Doug McCombs, with drummer Tim Barnes rounding out the lineup. Conceived as a space to explore instrumental ideas outside of their other bands, Pullman released two acclaimed and influential albums, Turnstyles & Junkpiles (1998) and Viewfinder (2001). More than twenty years on, Pullman returns with III, a beautiful, intimate and gentle record shaped by long friendship, trust and collaboration. One of the year’s most rewarding listens, it’s been a real joy spending time with it since it landed last month. So we couldn’t be happier to share the superb mixtape Pullman put together for us, offering a window into the sounds and influences that feed into their world. Press play and enjoy.

  1. Bill Orcutt – The Sun & Its Horizon [Palilalia Records]
  2. Daniel Bachman – Feel the ground beneath your feet (some sticks and leaves, but mostly earth…)
  3. Andrea Belfi & Jules Reidy – alto [Marionette]
  4. Angine de Poitrine – Sherpa [Les Cassettes Magiques]
  5. Grouper – A Lie [Yellow Electric / Kranky]
  6. Collections of Colonies of Bees – fa.ce (a – 04 Untitled [Crouton]
  7. BCMC – Ripple in High Tide [Drag City]
  8. The Dwarfs Of East Agouza – Neptune Anteater [Constellation]
  9. Jessica 93 – Poison [Teenage Menopause Records / Music Fear Satan]
  10. Tom Verlaine – Fragile [Warner Bros. / BGO Records]
  11. Califone – Burn the Sheets Bleach the Books [Jealous Butcher]
  12. Duffy X Uhlmann – In the Spirit of Fair Play [Orindal Records]
  13. Roy Orbison – Leah [London Records / Monument]
  14. X – The Unheard Music [Fat Possum Records]
  15. Captain Beefheart – A Carrot Is As Close A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond [Virgin]
  16. Marisa Anderson & William Tyler – News About Heaven [Thrill Jockey]
  17. Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilkes – Frica [International Anthem]
  18. Mallard – Yellow
  19. Kieran Hebden & William Tyler – Secret City [Temporary Residence]

Mixtape #172

02 June 2025


It’s no secret we were completely drawn in by Sheldon Agwu’s work after stumbling upon his music earlier this year. A longtime presence in London’s music scene, Agwu has collaborated with artists like Jordan Rakei, Yussef Dayes and Bonobo, and held musical director roles at iconic venues like Jazz Cafe and XOYO. The London-based guitarist, producer and multi-instrumentalist released Kintsugi in April, a stunning and sublime debut inspired by and named after the Japanese art of embracing imperfection. With this album, Agwu channels years of exploration into a deeply personal and affecting work, blending virtuosic electric guitar with influences from jazz, hip-hop, trip hop, and ambient textures. So we’re over the moon to have him at the helm of this month’s mixtape. Featuring tracks from Jon Hassell, Thelonious Monk, Bitchin Bajas, Madlib, Sam Gendel and more, it opens a window into the creative world that helps shape his own music. Press play and drift away.

  1. Andrew Pekler – Forever (Is No Time At All) [Faitiche]
  2. Thelonious Monk – Ugly Beauty [Columbia]
  3. Jon Hassell – Empire V [Editions EG]
  4. Daniel Villarreal – Things Can Be Calm [International Anthem]
  5. Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilkes – Marvis [International Anthem]
  6. Dorothy Ashby – Wax & Wane [Cadet]
  7. Kenny Burrell – Theme IV, Recapitulation [Cadet]
  8. Yesterdays New Quintet (Madlib) – Julani [Stones Throw Records]
  9. Ken Brown – Continental Drift [Temporary Residence]
  10. Jeff Parker – Jrifted [International Anthem]
  11. Can – Spray [United Artists Records]
  12. Tony Williams – Circa 45 [Polydor]
  13. Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas – Clock No Clock [Drag City]
  14. Bilal – Evr Chngin Nrml
  15. Triosk Meets Jan Jelinek – The Lake [~scape]
  16. Bitchin Bajas – Amorpha [Drag City]
  17. Sam Gendel – Two Tone [Leaving Records]

Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson & Sam Wilkes share second single, ‘Arpy’

20 February 2025

Photo: Roman Koval

Guitarist Gregory Uhlmann, saxophonist Josh Johnson, and bassist Sam Wilkes, who are some of most daring and brilliant musicians of the LA new jazz scene, have recently joined forces for a new chamber trio. They had previously announced the release of a debut collaborative album, Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes, and shared then the immersive and enthralling ‘Frica’, which instantly got us under their spell. Ahead of the album’s release on March 14th through International Anthem, they are teasing it again with new single ‘Arpy’, an utterly engrossing, emotive and atmospheric track. Take a listen now.

Sam Wilkes releases second album One Theme & Subsequent Improvisation

25 October 2021

The legend that is bassist, producer and composer Sam Wilkes, a key player in the Los Angeles’ contemporary jazz scene, released last week his second full-length album, One Theme & Subsequent Improvisation, through Leaving Records. The album sprouted from one improvisational recording session also featuring two drummers, a Maestro Rhythm King drum machine, and two synthesists, who played “one repetitive theme that led to two subsequent movements of improvisation”, as the press release explains. Wilkes then tried “find new music through an immersive process” and “decided to destroy the audio of predetermined sections of the music through tape, sampling, and effects experiments.”
One Theme & Subsequent Improvisation is one of those records that you can’t put away. Get a taste with ‘The Drums’ below.

Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes set to release Music For Saxofone & Bass Guitar More Songs later this month

04 July 2021

Two prominent names in the Los Angeles’ contemporary jazz scene and in-demand collaborators, Sam Gendel and Sam Wilkes released Music For Saxofone & Bass back in 2018. The pair are ready to follow it up with Music For Saxofone & Bass Guitar More Songs, a record featuring nine tracks from their live performance archives, including new songs and covers. Music For Saxofone & Bass Guitar More Songs arrives on July 21st through Leaving Records and ahead of it Gendel and Wilkes have shared ‘Cold Pocket’. Take a listen.

Mixtape #122

05 January 2021

We are thrilled to have Bandler Ching kick off the year with our first mixtape of 2021. The Brussels based quartet, led by composer and saxophonist Ambroos De Schepper, swept us away with their effortless and groovy blend of contemporary jazz, electronics, hip-hop and noise. Their sterling first EP, Sub Surface, came out last autumn and with a debut album set for release this year, it’s a given that Bandler Ching will be making a splash in 2021. So it's with great joy that we present the phenomenal mix they put together for us. Feast your ears on this!

  1. Pierre Schaeffer – Étude Violette [INA-GRM / Librairie Séguier]
  2. Carate Urio Orchestra – Lover [Klein]
  3. Visible Cloaks – Terrazzo (ft. Motion Graphics) [Rvng Intl.]
  4. SCHNTZL – Tujiko [W.E.R.F.]
  5. Connan Mockasin – I’m The Man, That Will Find You [Phantasy Sound / Because Music]
  6. Earl Sweatshirt ft. Knxwledge – Balance [adult swim]
  7. Kate Tempest – Firesmoke [American Recordings]
  8. Shungu – Page 20: I Feel In Exile [Hot Record Societe]
  9. D’Angelo – Chicken Grease [Virgin / EMI]
  10. Bill Withers – Kissin’ My Love [A&M Records]
  11. WHOMAN – Shiny
  12. Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes – Kiefer No Melody [Leaving Records]
  13. Sam Amidon – Light Rain Blues [Nonesuch]
  14. Thom Yorke – Runwayaway [XL Recordings]
  15. Frank Harris & Maria Marquez – Canto del Pilon [Third Wave Productions]
  16. Soft Focus – Flowers [San-kofa Rhythm Records]