Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #90: Sunim Koria

Welcome to Episode #90 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran secure time with musician and producer, Sunim Koria.

The release of Koria's debut album scheduled for the end of this month comes with great excitement seeing as it is the culmination of a 16 year journey.  Inspired by the pioneering efforts of those glorious early broken beat acts like Silhouette Brown and Kaidi Tatham, Sunim's 'Ecstasy and the Apple Tree' is an excellent fusion of a variety of styles and influences - very much a love letter not just to that era of music but to the period that inspired his passion in the first instance.

Put together with the help of fifteen friends and musicians, it really is our pleasure to have secured time with Sunim at this incredible point in the album's journey.  We discuss the album's creation, influences and life as an independent musician navigating the digital realm of marketing.

'Ecstasy and the Apple Tree' is released 28th June and is available to purchase via Bandcamp.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#90_Sunim Koria

'You Never Do' by Kasia Konstance f/t KinKai

Quarantine life is unlikely to be an experience people will forget any time soon.  Whether you were experiencing it alone or with a household full of people, the challenges were different for everyone as we - as a society - struggled to make sense of what is continually referred to as "the new normal" and what it will mean for each of us going forward.

And while the past year has certainly impacted everyone, the impact on the music industry and independent artists and musicians has been particularly difficult to see unfolding.  Conversely, this can also be seen as a challenge that many have risen to - the need to continually create, even in less-than-inspirational circumstances, has led to some wonderful and inspired ideas and projects... which leads us to this excellent new release from Kasia Konstance.

The Polish-born and London-based singer, songwriter and flautist has steadily been developing a really exciting catalogue of single releases that fittingly display her talents.  From past singles that include the sublime 'Cosmic Dust' and its accompanying - equally dreamy - remix with Thelonious Coltrane, to the hip-hop inspirations behind 'North41', Kasia Konstance's music continually proves to be an exciting fusion of varying genres and styles which she navigates masterfully.

Current single 'You Never Do', however, features Konstance reinvent her sound a little and it's exciting to see this indelible talent prove herself to be just as adept at exceling within this lush, stripped-back setting as she does over her more usual complex and intricate sounding production.

The acoustic guitar-led arrangement, courtesy of producer Beau Diako, also boasts a guest verse from Manchester-based rapper KinKai and is a track that is currently scheduled for inclusion on Konstance's upcoming EP, due September 2021.  A project that can't come soon enough, the EP is sure to be a highly-anticipated release and one that demonstrates the boundless talent and versatility that is continually attributed to Kasia Konstance's music.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #89: Marc Rapson

Welcome to Episode #89 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran secure time with musician and producer, Marc Rapson.

As part of Futuristica's 15 year celebrations, a number of albums from their revered catalogue have been announced as being subject to having exclusive reissues prepared.  With some fantastic releases scheduled for this year, the label kicked things off with Marc Rapson's 'Dark vs Light' - originally released as a seven track project back in 2010, 'Dark vs Light' finds itself bumped up to a thirteen track expanded edition featuring additional songs born of those recording sessions.

Beyond the reissue of 'Dark vs Light', Rapson has been responsible for so many of Futuristica's most cherished tracks over the years.  The last 14 months along have seen the producer ride an incredible wave of success having helmed production for Futuristica's current front line roster including Deborah Jordan, Georgie Sweet, Nathan Thomas and LaNote. 

This episode sees us discuss the 'Dark vs Light' reissue, conduct an in-depth look at Deborah Jordan's phenomenal Rapson-produced 'I'll See You Again' track from last year, his early days in the music business, our shared fandom for Jay Dee, plus we throw in some always-welcome Star Wars and MCU conversation as well.

'Dark vs Light' can be purchased via the Futuristica Bandcamp page.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#89_Marc Rapson

'Messages' by Rise (10 Year Re-Visit)

Following on from the reissue of Marc Rapson's expanded 'Dark vs Light' last month, Futuristica continue their 15-year celebrations with a much welcome revisit of Rise's phenomenal album, 'Messages'.

Celebrating its own milestone of having been released ten years ago this year, the project warranted every available accolade for its unique jazz-meets-hip-hop aesthetic - less so much a project that simply straddled the lines between each genre but one accomplishing the incredibly difficult task that saw its music practically sit comfortably within each.

Hip-hop and jazz have been intrinsically linked for decades.  From the "jazz rap" acts of the 90s - spearheaded by names including Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest who created a new art form based on the work of jazz's greats - to innovative and more contemporary projects by drummer/rapper Kassa Overall and Japanese DJs/producers Uyama Hiroto and Segawa Tatsuya who all seek to incorporate live instrumentation as part of their own compositions. 'Messages' serves as much a celebration of the spiritual jazz of Sun Ra - a presence that permeates through much of the album - as it does to 90s Golden era hip-hop and the music presented here has earnt discussion alongside some of the iconic projects that have sought to marry these two worlds.

From the brilliant mind of the Manchester-based producer and DJ, Rise, who would go on to find huge success under the moniker of Mecca:83, 'Messages' sounds as gloriously fresh and innovative ten years later as it did upon first release.  The project has also served as an exciting launch pad for the wealth of releases that adorn the Mecca:83 Bandcamp page that continue to catalogue his adventures throughout the realms of hip-hop - be it through instrumental journeys or collaborative ones.

Although 'Messages' serves as the only full-length release under the Rise moniker, ties with Futuristica have remained strong with Mecca:83 contributing production for Georgie Sweet and remixes for projects by LaNote, Deborah Jordan and Alexis Evans collaborator Simon S under his Peter Franks guise.  During a conversation with Deborah Jordan and Simon S for the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #83, Jordan recounted the significance of 'Messages' within the legacy of Futuristica releases, "He's such an amazing producer and that particular incarnation is a beautiful expression of who he is".

Should 'Messages' be an album that passed you by on initial release ten years ago then you'd be doing yourself a disservice to let it do so again as the album remains one of Futuristica's finest.  The brilliant and infectious energy of 'Prayer For Love' alone exemplifies the mastery the project exudes and the staple it would subsequently become for music collections everywhere.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #88: Magro

 

Welcome to Episode #88 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran secure time with Berlin-based drummer and producer, Magro.

The release of Magro's debut full-length, 'Trippin', would have come as exciting news for listeners having been hooked on the artist's music since his releases dating back to 2019.  Over the course of several singles, Magro introduced his distinctive style - an inspired fusion of jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul - as an extraordinary voice amidst a continually thriving scene.  While still boasting that indelible vision when it comes to composition, 'Trippin' confidently takes those elements to the next level with a bolder and, at times, broader landscape. 

A real pleasure to be able to feature Magro as part of this podcast series to discuss the new album, music during these quarantine times, the German musical scene and much more.

To pick up Magro releases, please visit: https://magromusic.bandcamp.com/ 

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#88_Magro

'Believe in Things' by Matt Wilde

 

The spark of creativity is a fascinating thing.  Sometimes with all the best intentions - and time - you can come up with nothing when needed and sometimes the best ideas can present themselves within a matter of moments.  In turn, examining the effect of creativity within the quarantine lifestyle as was a part of our lives in 2020 was equally intriguing: with those small elements of freedom that each of us take for granted no longer accessible - being able to see friends and family, to travel, to dine out, etc - creativity ground to an abrupt and upsetting halt for many.  

Conversely, the last year can also be seen as a challenge that many have risen to - the need to continually create, even in less-than-inspirational circumstances, has led to some wonderful and inspired ideas and projects... which leads us to this thrilling new release from Matt Wilde. 

Wilde's debut four-track EP - 'Believe in Things' - of course delivers as a wonderful response to events of the last year, while also serving as a project indicative of Manchester's booming hub of beats-inspired productions.  From its celebration of diverse club culture, hip-hop, dance and electronica, Manchester has long been at the forefront of an open-minded approach to music.  And it's a perspective shared by Wilde and wonderfully realised by the producer and musician. 

'Believe in Things' boasts intricately woven, multi-textured compositions that celebrate hip-hop's influence on contemporary UK jazz.  Having been surrounded by strong hip-hop influences for years, Wilde's affection for the piano eventually grew following introductions to jazz and the music of revered Miles Davis collaborator Bill Evans, jazz-funk legend Herbie Hancock and "American classical music" icon Ahmad Jamal.  The fusion of the two worlds was the union that made sense, particularly in light of the tracks presented on 'Believe in Things'.  

Accompanying Wilde on piano, the project is brought to life by an excellent selection of musicians including Aaron Wood on trumpet and flugelhorn, Oscar Ogden on drums and Ben Carr on bass guitar.  While the music may have been born out of less than joyous times, the music presented here is absolutely a celebration and will remain a real feather in the cap for the comparatively young label, Root Records.  If projects like these will go on to represent the label going forward then their lineage will no doubt one day resemble that of their parent label, DeepMatter Records.

We look forward to more from Matt Wilde in time to come and the hope that future music will be the result of happier times.