Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #56: Simon S of Futuristica Music

Welcome to Episode #56 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with producer Simon S.

As head of Futuristica Music, the nu-soul label scored big this year with the release of Deborah Jordan's 'See in the Dark' album along with the excellent second single from vocalist Georgie Sweet.  With Futuristica heading into their 15th year, Simon chats with Imran about the genesis of the label, his passion for producing, some of his own solo work and what's next for Futuristica.

We're also incredibly proud to announce Simon S as member of the Blue-in-Green:RADIO team with his new show - Futuristica Radio - airing the first Sunday of every month at 8pm(UK).

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#56_Simon S

The Blue-in-Green:PODCAST unveils new episodes on the first, second and third Mondays of the month. This podcast series runs in conjunction with the online radio station, Blue-in-Green:RADIO which celebrates 21st century soul, jazz, funk, Latin & hip-hop music. These shows are designed to give you some insight into the incredible range of talented presenters we're so lucky to host from all over the world and to geek out musically with us.

'X-Perimental Mass' by PVIBEZ

'X-Perimental Mass' marks the brand new release from the multi-talented Paul "PVIBEZ" Morgan.

An artist doing the unexpected is always a pleasure to watch.  When discussing Morgan's past Vibezlab Sessions II project, we noted the genuine charm about his character that endears him to music lovers - his consistent desire to improve, to try new things and go in new directions is all inspired by his unwavering devotion towards his heroes.

Early projects 'Love Is The Notion' (2016) and 'Urban Xpressionz' (2011) positioned Morgan centre stage as well as the project's producer, lead vocalist and songwriter.  The Vibezlab Sessions volumes (I and II) then followed in 2018 and 2019 respectively which saw his role evolve to strictly behind the boards allowing him to prioritise his production skills and instrumentation, tailoring those talents towards the project's staple vocalists Eshe Escoffery, Lifford, Laurnea and Andrae Bentley.

With two instalments of his Vibezlab Sessions EPs released in the last two years, the producer and multi-instrumentalist now looks to evolve his processes into an exciting new stage from the more traditional R&B aesthetic of his past releases.

As the old saying goes "it's always good to keep people guessing", words that particularly hold true within a creative context.  To be able to push past expectations people have of you as an artist versus those expectations the artist has of themselves is surely where the real joy in creativity lies. 

Which leads us to 'X-Perimental Mass'...

The seven track project transports Morgan's talents into otherworldly realms, a fact that couldn't be more evident than in the project's opening number 'Afro Head Charge' plunging listeners immediately into the deep end.  Boasting JoVia Armstrong on percussion, the song's infectious blend of rapid-fire sonic intensity works so well when paired with Armstrong's skills, and so well leading into the drum'n'bass-esque 'Space Race'.  Trumpeter Vicky Flint guests on the lush 'Mi Colombiana' but album highlight could very well rest with the electronic, spaced out funk of 'Rhythm & Rhyme'.

Usually a name synonymous with contemporary R&B, the resulting 'X-Perimental Mass' is a bold statement of intent and declaration of Morgan's indelible talents.  Certainly a project he should boast with pride as it displays a real creative peak.  Always keep them guessing!

'Good Thang' by Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers

'Good Thang' marks the brand new single release from Alan Evans side-project Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers.

Last year proved to be such an incredibly busy period for Alan Evans - with the release of the Alan Evans Trio (Ae3) project, 'The Wild Root', the continual cultivation of Vintage League Music, the release of Crowd Company's third album 'Lowdown' boasting production by Evans and work in the early part of the year as part of funk & soul super group Matador! Soul Sounds through Color Red Records... he'd certainly be forgiven for taking some time off in 2020 but it seems that the tirelessly prolific artist is still bursting with musical treats.

With the passion for great quality music always at the forefront, the revered drummer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and studio wizard continually demonstrates his surreal ability to tailor his sound when channelling it into the variety of side projects that he invests in.  And Vintage League Music proves to be the perfect playground for the proverbial mad scientist.  Not long removed since the debut single release of The 7 Day Weekend's 'Mango Moonrise' - the lo-fi experimental project pairing Evans with Ae3 keyboardist Kris Yunker; swiftly followed by the release of recent VLM signees in the BT ALC Big Band debuting their single 'Bring Forth Change' through their epic 17-strong collection of musicians who each recorded their parts for the song separately from their respective quarantine hold-ups leaving Evans with the (un)enviable task of piecing all the puzzle pieces together before laying down his own drum parts and introducing vocals by Nigel Hall as well.

The latest run of releases is capped off with Evans revisiting his own "Crushed Velvet" alter ego alongside his band "The Velveteers".  Harking back to a project originally released in 2011, Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers  laid claim to having recorded the soundtrack to a "Shaft-meets-007 blaxploitation film" entitled 'The Big One' - folklore would go on to explain that although the actual movie was destroyed in a fire, the soundtrack lived on thus serving as the world's first introduction to the funky collective.

And if we had to wait nearly ten years for Crushed Velvet to resurface, well, it was worth it!

With Evans tackling bass, drums and guitar, 'Good Thang' sees an all-star line-up assembled for this colossal return to centre stage: as well as featuring BT ALC heads, Alex Lee-Clark (trumpet) and Brain Thomas (trombone), the song reconnects Evans with Matador! Soul Sounds collaborator and Color Red recording artist, Kim Dawson, who delivers with her typically awe-inspiring vocal.

With the promise of an album due later in the year, Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers have returned from the shadows to reassert their presence this time amidst Vintage League Music's already-thriving year.  There's a slim chance that Alan Evans will rest on his laurels and perhaps take a well-deserved break but it's highly unlikely so make sure you're keeping up with these incredible releases.

For more info on Vintage League Music, please click here, and to purchase your copy of 'Good Thang', please click here.

The Blue-in-Green:PODCAST was incredibly lucky to have played host to Alan Evans to discuss each of the above projects as well as Vintage League Music and Soulive so you can catch the episode in full here:

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#52_Alan Evans

'Organic' by Majamisty TriO

'Organic' marks the new album release from the Maja Alvanović-helmed Majamisty TriO.

From Novi Sad, Serbia, the piano-led trio make a welcome return with the affectionate and warm compositions that have endeared the Majamisty TriO to listeners the world over.  Their genuinely incomparable ability to create music that straddles the rarely-visited space between contemporary jazz and classical music has made past releases 'Mistyland' and 'LOVE' genuine treasures.

Headed up by pianist and composer, Maja Alvanović, the ensemble is rounded out by double bassist Ervin Malina (Szilárd Mezei, Tripcycle) and the trio's new drummer, Lav Kovač (Kuhn Fu, Boris Kovač) who now replaces Istvan Cik as a full-time member.

While the trio's previous album 'LOVE' boasted guest appearances from a selection of artists including vocalist Aleksandra Drobac, trumpeter Damir Bacikin, guitarist Gisle Torvik, saxophonist Bunford Gabor and percussionist Uroš Šecerov - 'Organic' opts to forego the inclusion of outside collaborators keeping the players completely TriO based for this outing.  And, frankly, when considering the exquisite nature of the music on 'Organic' and how effectively its members play together, there's nothing another artist could bring to the table here to rival the magic these three musicians have created over the course of the album's eight tracks.

Everything about how Majamisty TriO compose their music comes from a place of distinctiveness and individuality - from their charming use of Drobac's wordless vocals as in the aforementioned 'LOVE' album to the way they can accentuate those moments of collaboration with featured performers but can redefine their own expectations with a project showcasing the talents of just the members themselves.  Boasting several standout moments throughout, the 8+ minute album centrepiece, 'Jungle', makes for essential listening as does the album's achingly beautiful highlight, 'Longing'.

While Alvanović helms the bulk of the album's composing, fellow pianist, and another artist under the Mistyland umbrella, Kosta Jevtić, assists with the composition for 'Heritage' and 'Absence' acting as a wonderful teaser for his own solo piano project, 'Reflections', which also warrants mention as a bold and sublime listen.

There's something incredibly fitting when considering the album's title, 'Organic' - it brings to mind thoughts of 'purity' and 'simplicity', almost like the music on this release came together through such a natural and effortless process which in of itself is masterful quality.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #53: Deborah Jordan

Welcome to Episode #53 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with singer/songwriter Deborah Jordan.

As a vocalist and a writer, Deborah Jordan has graced projects from a diverse array of musicians and artists like Emanative, Unforscene and Atjazz, masterfully able to position herself within the various realms of nu-soul, jazz and broken beat. And then there's her work as vocalist for projects including Silhouette Brown, Robert Mitchell's Panacea and Sun Circle which all contribute to Jordan's incomparable catalogue of music.

Currently basking in the much-deserved success of her long-awaited third album, 'See in the Dark', Deborah Jordan graciously granted us a sit-down to discuss the new project, the creative processes involved in music-making, the devastating loss of rapper TY and the indelible impact of the album's lead single 'I'll See You Again'. Plus, who on the Futuristica label does an awesome Michael McDonald impression that we're aching to hear?!

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#53_Deborah Jordan