'Undercover Mixtape' by Orgōne

The somewhat scientific, but perhaps more spiritual, concept of orgone, as developed by scientist Wilhelm Reich lay in the belief that orgone was a collection of an individual's sexual energy and that energy could be harnessed and stored through a device called the orgone accumulator. 

Now, Reich's theories were largely discredited but I'm not entirely convinced that Orgōne and Colemine Records haven't found a way of capturing this energy and presenting it through the stunning new release, 'Undercover Mixtape'.

Thirteen tracks of funk and soul greatness awaits you on the new covers album by some of LA's finest purveyors of funk and soul, now aligned with the incredible Colemine Records.  Tracks like Aretha Franklin's 'Think', Gwen McCrae's 'All This Love That I'm Giving' and Cameo's 'It's Serious' are recreated with dynamic and inspired results. 

It's genuinely an album that starts off strong with 'The Black Five' and seems to get better with each passing track - 'Melting Pot' appears just after the mid-point of the album and on first listen you'd be forgiven in thinking this is clearly the album's high-point but by the time you've reached the album's completion with 'Cosmic Slop', that's a feeling you've experienced several more times.

Adryon de León soars on lead vocals throughout with additional vocal guests Tarin Ector and Kelly Finnigan sounding excellent on their respective contributions; Mixmaster Wolf, from fellow LA-based funk collective, Breakestra, sounds as good as ever as he guests on 'The Breakdown'.

'Undercover Mixtape' has been steeped in praise since its release - not only proving to be a highlight for 2018, but deservedly ranking amongst the absolute best - if not THE best - covers album ever recorded.  Whatever it is Orgōne have managed to bottle, it's unbridled musical magic!

New to the Liberation's Frequency playlist

Blue-in-Green:RADIO's Liberation's Frequency playlist runs every day in & around the excellent shows we're able to present to you and we do our absolute best to make sure that it's constantly updated with the best new music.  Below are a few new gems that have found their way on to the playlist and awaiting your attention.  (Please check the "Schedule" tab at the top of the page to find the times the LF playlist airs each day.)

'Unfold' & 'Increments' by Paper Void
We're indebted to our dear friend Lorena (@LoreVille609) who has once again proved she has one of the best music tastes of anyone I know - Paper Void are an R&B/nu-soul/nu-jazz group with currently two free-to-download projects on Bandcamp, 'Unfold' (2014) and 'Increments' (2016).  Songs from these projects have infiltrated our Liberation Frequency playlist as well as Nu-Skool Soul so they definitely deserve your attention.
https://papervoid.bandcamp.com/

'The Emancipation Procrastination' by Christian Scott
2017 saw the release of Christian Scott's Centennial Trilogy released through Ropeadope Records.  The three albums - 'Ruler Rebel', 'Diaspora' and 'The Emancipation Procrastination' - have been much discussed on this site and on our shows, and while music from the first two entries have been included on the Liberation Frequency playlist, it's now the turn of the project's concluding chapter.

'Dojo Cuts feat. Roxie Ray' by Dojo Cuts
Incredible to think the debut album from Sydney's Dojo Cuts came as far back as 2009.  Released through one of the finest purveyors of funk and soul music that there is, Italy's Record Kicks, and with lead vocals by the brilliant Roxie Ray, the group's debut still holds as a landmark release for the label so we're proud to showcase tracks into our Liberation's Frequency playlist.  And make sure to keep your ears peeled for the cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Uptight'.

'Palmares Fantasy' by Sean Khan f/t Hermeto Pascoal

'Palmares Fantasy' marks the third solo outing from UK saxophonist, Sean Khan, and may very well mark his most impressive effort yet.

Released through Far Out Recordings, the former member of the 1990's broken beat/nu-jazz collective known as the SK Radicals continues to further cement his legacy as one of the finest jazz musicians of his generation.  Khan's first solo release, 'Slow Burner', in 2012 debuted his vision for contemporary jazz, which was helped tremendously in 2015 with the release of his follow-up album, 'Muriel', which sparked collaborations with Omar, 4 Hero, Ben Hauke, Heidi Vogel and Sabrina Malheiros.  'Muriel' was a stunning project but for 2018, he may very well have surpassed it with the release of 'Palmares Fantasy'.

Named after a Brazilian city, Palmares (famed for becoming home to run-away African slaves), the album pairs Khan with the iconic Brazilian composer and improviser, Hermeto Pascoal, along with Jim Mullen (guitar), Ivan 'Mamao' Conti (Azymuth drummer) and Paulo Russo on bass.  As touched upon before, Sean Khan very much wears his intentions on his sleeve - a progressive, innovative and forward-thinking musician, heavily inspired by Latin jazz and an artist who continually pays tribute to a classic jazz aesthetic and its pioneers:  At the risk of sounding paternalistic, and certainly in no way to diminish the excellent work of his past offerings, but this could very well be the album Sean Khan has always wanted to make.

Having graced stages around the world, chalked up former collaborations with Clifford (famed for his work with John Coltrane and Sun Ra) and South African multi-instrumentalist Bheki Mseleku, that classic aesthetic is evident, and on 'Palmares Fantasy', that respect for the pioneers extends to a near ten-minute interpretation of Pascoal's own 'Montreux' which serves as the centrepiece for the project.  Two of the 'Muriel' guest vocalists return to recreate their magic with Khan, with Heidi Vogel guesting on the album's cinematic opening and closing numbers 'Moment of Collapse' and 'Your Way Not My Way', respectively, and fellow Far Out Recordings label-mate, Sabrina Malheiros, injecting some of her infectious energy on 'Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser'.

Rarely a year goes by that Far Out doesn't have a hotly-tipped contribution to an album of the year, and for 2018, this looks very likely to be it.

We were very fortunate to have secured time with Sean Khan following the release of 'Muriel' and you can read that interview here.

'Mind Full' by Leisure Centre

Australia's HopeStreet Recordings, albeit a relatively young label, has really managed to achieve a lot in a short amount of time. 

One of the label's numerous strengths has been their incredible eye for talent, and whether it be the gritty soul of Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, the country soul of The Meltdown, or the bona fide salsa grooves of Quarter Street, every act on their expanding roster has something unique and distinctly their own to offer.

Leisure Centre though have always stood out - while the label seem to revel in the authentic analogue sound encapsulated by the aforementioned artists, amongst others, on the HopeStreet roster, Leisure Centre's glossy, digital and synth-inspired presentation could be perceived as the antithesis to HopeStreet's overall aesthetic.

That's kinda, sorta why it works.

Originally unveiled under the name The Do Yo Thangs, the group's 2016 'One Plus One' EP - spearheaded by the brilliant title-track of the same name - served as a great introduction to the eight-piece's brand of "Neo/Digi/Future Soul" and set high expectations for the full-length release released this year.  'Mind Full', with song titles including 'You Don't Want To Be With Me' and 'Solace' point to a decidedly darker affair and sees the band tackling the timely and challenging topics of sadness, loneliness and mental health, hence the album's title ('Mind Full').

The music follows in the vein of what fans would hope for following 'One Plus One' - there are respectful nods to synth-based styles from the 80s but it's not a specific sound that roots them in one genre or time as they easily forge ahead with finessing their own unique sound.  The song-writing deserves particular mention as it navigates these sensitive subjects while still managing to interweave songs about being in love and offering something hopeful by the album's conclusion.

A solid and bold release from Leisure Centre and HopeStreet Recordings, and expectations are now higher to see what the collective will unveil next.