5 Songs About: International Anthem

This edition of the 5 Songs About: series sees us delve into the catalogue of the independent Chicago-based label, International Anthem.  Boasting an incredible roster of leading, contemporary jazz artists, many of which waving that flag for Chicago themselves, the label has a slew of fantastic projects from names like Jeff Parker, Carlos Niño, Makaya McCraven, Damon Locks and so many more.  In accordance with the label's Bandcamp description, International Anthem seeks "to make positive contributions to the changing state of the music industry and to vitalize the demand for boundary-defying music" - it's an ethos that the label have continued to champion through projects that position them as front runners in inspired and innovative jazz music.  It's been a real joy to pick five of our favourites from such a wonderful label so if you're new International Anthem, these are some great places to start...

1. 'Escalator' by Resavoir

'Resavoir' is the self-titled and debut album and project from trumpeter, musician and producer, Will Miller.  Initially composed by Miller through a series of samples & loops before slowly introducing layers of different musicians into the proverbial gumbo - the resulting concoction boasts seemingly strong nods to a '70s aesthetic but still forges gloriously ahead with its own multi-layered and kaleidoscopic sound.  There must be a genuine sense of pride for Miller, and all involved, at the eventual release of this project with all the years that have been poured into it.  'Resavoir' is an absolute gem and one that stands incredibly tall amongst the year's best.  We're moving ever-so-slightly away from the actual album for our song choice however - while the album features an excellent version of this song featuring guest vocals from Sen Morimoto, a bonus version supplied as part of the 'Escalator' single boasts a 10 minute instrumental version recorded live at Co-Prosperity Sphere in 2018.

2. 'nuevo roquero estéreo' by Jaimie Branch

Jaimie Branch's 'FLY or DIE II: Bird Dogs of Paradise' sees trumpeter Branch add the tag of vocalist to her seemingly never-ending skillset which includes trumpet, synths and composition.  The introduction of Branch as a vocalist serves to override any ambiguity regarding any of the very direct messages aimed towards the then-current Republican Presidency which contributes to a more honest and sincere recording.  The album boasts high points from start to finish like the urgency captured throughout 'Twenty-Three n Me, Jupiter Redux' and the vibrant 'Nuevo Roquero Estéreo'.  To extend the experience and add a wonderful entry into the 'FLY or DIE' catalogue, there is also the release of 'FLY or DIE LIVE' which sees Branch and the principal players across both albums perform tracks from Parts I and II.  Recorded in Zurich, January 2020, this brilliant nineteen-track setlist was indicative of a tour in full-force before it would ultimately be cut short due to the global pandemic that turned the world upside down.

  

3. 'Autumn Pleiades' by Rob Mazurek & the Exploding Star Orchestra

Initially having started life as far back as 2005, the Exploding Star Orchestra was created by Rob Mazurek to demonstrate the diversity of Chicago’s emerging and innovative talent within contemporary jazz.  While Mazurek’s propensity for creating music within disparate realms from jazz to electronica is a renowned trait, the joy within 'Dimensional Stardust' is its just-the-right measures of each style which really come together to create something incredibly special. While songs like 'Sun Core Tet', 'Galaxy 1000' and 'The Careening Prism Within' celebrate these otherworldly excursions, strings by Tomeka Reid (cello) and Macie Stewart (violins) alongside Joel Ross’s vibraphone really add some beautiful depth and warm textures to songs like 'Parable of Inclusion' which almost ground the album at times, again, striking that perfect balance and the project's scene-stealer in 'Autumn Pleiades'.

4. 'Atlantic Black' by Makaya McCraven

Chicago-based drummer Makaya McCraven has long thrived off of the notion of collaboration.  His seminal two-disc album release 'Universal Beings' was a shining example of such commitment demonstrated across a wildly ambitious project.  With the recording of the album divided across four suites, McCraven travelled to New York, Chicago, London and LA in order to collaborate with revered names from each location.  Artists including Nubya Garcia, Jeff Parker, Carlos Nino and Shabaka Hutchings were part of dream team level ensembles across each location that saw McCraven fully immersed into the joys of collaboration.  McCraven's subsequent follow-up release entitled 'E&F Sides' would later go on to house a further fourteen tracks recorded from those original sessions.

5. 'Manos Ajenas (Touch You Every Day)' by Dos Santos

Clocking in at 2 minutes and 34 seconds, this track from the Chicago-based five-piece's debut album 'Logos' is nothing short of a high-energy, glorious number.  Although criminally short, it's a song that packs so much in to its brief runtime - spearheaded by a great vocal from Dos Santos frontman Alex Chavez, the track soars through its rich synths and an infectious guitar riff that is the best advertisement to the band's International Anthem debut that could be put forward.  With an album featuring contributions from International Anthem label mate Ben LaMar Gay and the Antibalas horn section, 'Logos' - although different to the more jazz-inspired projects that typically adorn the label - is still a beacon for innovative Latinx music rooted within a traditional cumbia-immersed aesthetic but still pioneering its own progressive new sound. 

'9-3' by Principles of Joy

'9-3' marks the sophomore album release from contemporary soul heavyweights, the Principles of Joy.

Preceded by the now esteemed words of "Q-Sounds presente..." the label based in Seine Saint-Denis can now boast another project in a long line of incredible contemporary funk and soul releases to a catalogue that has flourished since the label's inception in 2009.  Bolstered by a dream team of acts including The Supertights, The Vogs, Lisa Mélissa & The Mess, Little Clara & Les Chacals and Laura Llorens & The Shadows of Love, Q-Sounds Recordings have earned the right to have their music cited in the same conversation as any of the forerunners of today's soul music scene.

Initially formed in 2017, the Principles of Joy unveiled an awesome introduction to their distinctive style via the stunning 'Strong Ain't Wrong' in 2019.  And even though we're actually here to discuss the new album, it's naturally going to be hard not to turn this article into our own love letter to the band's previous recording.  A truly fantastic record that genuinely solidified the Principles of Joy as masters of their craft able to create soul music that confidently straddles the sweet spot between soul, blues, funk and northern soul.  But while the idea of following 'Strong Ain't Wrong' would appear to be a tall order for fans of the record, it's certainly a challenge that the band have risen to successfully delivering a worthy successor in '9-3'.

Comprised of something of a Q-Sounds super group of musicians from varying bands, the Principles of Joy are made up of label co-founder Lodovic Bors on keys, drummer Cédric Dolanc, bassist Jérôme Makles and guitarists Harysson Jean-Baptiste and Loïc Betems.  With songs written by Bors and Christelle Amoussou, lead vocalist Sarah Ibrahim soars over such a rich and versatile sonic backdrop provide by her Principles counterparts.  And while much of the band's winning formula remains in place for '9-3', the project sees an added bonus with the inclusion of vocalist Rachel Yarabou to the line-up for this go round.  Not only sounding great alongside the always-exceptional Ibrahim, but Yarabou absolutely earns her stripes on the album's southern-themed lament, 'It's Been A Mess'. 

As with the past effort, '9-3' showcases the band's unique ability - through delicate shifts in their music - to steer their sound towards varying styles and elements.  The northern soul of 'Ready To Go' and 'God Only Knows', the sweet soul of 'No Matter What' and the trippy cinematic scope of 'Start From Scratch' are all winners.  While 'Strong Ain't Wrong' featured an inspired cover of Paul Young's 'Come Back and Stay', '9-3' delves into Adele's bag of tricks to deliver a brilliant take on 'He Won't Go' from her '21' album.

With two spectacular albums now under their belt, the Principles of Joy once again prove themselves to be a glorious gem amongst the treasure chest that is Q-Sounds Recordings.

'Zbliżenie' by Henryk Debich

Since its inception, Astigmatic Records has long served as a beacon for contemporary jazz from around the world.  While currently riding incredibly high off of the release of the Lahore-based collective, Jaubi, and their debut full-length 'Nafs at Peace', it has been projects by Cykada and the Levitation Orchestra from London that helped to place the label on the map, notwithstanding the continual strides made by the Polish jazz ensemble, and flagship Astigmatic recording artists, EABS.  

While certainly flag-wavers for global contemporary jazz, the label has always strived to pay its respects to its Polish roots.  New Zealand DJ, producer and musician, Surly, unveiled his six-track EP, 'Trip to Warsaw' in 2018 which was very much his own homage to Polish jazz music; the very first full-length by EABS - 'Repetitions (Letters to Krzysztof Komeda)' - paid tribute to the Polish film music composer and pianist best known for his film scores for Roman Polanski.  And earlier this year, that affection inspired a new direction for Astigmatic as they officially began their search for undiscovered Polish gems kickstarted by their reissue of vocalist Renata Lewandowska's recordings from the 1970s, 'Dotyk'.

Following the huge success of that project, the label have plundered the catalogue of Henryk Debich - the founder and leader of The Lódz Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television.  Unveiling a teaser first by way of the 7" exclusive single release of 'Monika' and 'Zabawa w ciemnosci' (translating to 'Fun in the Dark') in February, anticipation was high for the nine-track release 'Zbliżenie' announced for later in the year.  Comprised of a series of tracks recorded between 1974-1977, 'Zbliżenie' sees Debich at the helm as conductor for the Orchestra that presented their distinctive, ahead-of-its-time, perspective on jazz-funk.  

Even from the album's opening number, 'Puma', the sheer scope of 'Zbliżenie' is laid bare - a psychedelic-esque funk number, the expansiveness of the sound is captivating.  'Zbliżenie' relishes in having selected tracks that present The Lódz Orchestra as creators of these close-knit, gritty street anthems but it's believed that some of these compositions can feature somewhere between forty and seventy musicians performing throughout.  It's a thrilling expectation to subvert particularly hearing how rooted the sound can be to an American 1970s aesthetic.  The menacing opening to 'Wampiry' lends itself to that of a hard-boiled film soundtrack - a lone, rogue US officer determined to clear up New York's streets releasing it from the iron-like grip of its domineering kingpin.  Gloriously emotive stuff!

Once again, an Astigmatic Records release demands your undivided attention and while they have proved themselves as connoisseurs of the contemporary scene, their deep dives in to Poland's past is proving equally inspired.

New music round-up ::: September 2021

'Dilla Impresses Me' by Matt Wilde

Only a few months removed from the release of his debut EP 'Believe in Things', pianist and producer Matt Wilde releases a stunning new standalone single that not only harks back to the brilliance of the iconic James "Dilla" Yancey but equally acts as an homage to Wilde's own musical journey.  Dilla's continual impact on entirely new generations of musicians, DJs and producers is always a wonderful thing to see as they unpack the tiny intricacies in his productions and marvel at the inner machinations of his genre-defining style.  It was Dilla's own homage to Ahmad Jamal that had spawned his beat 'Ahmad Impresses Me' as he masterfully manipulated Jamal's 'The Awakening' transforming it into an entirely new composition.  It was a track that took Wilde, a burgeoning Dilla fan, into the realms of jazz as the wonders of Ahmad Jamal were subsequently treasures now at his disposal.

In a wonderfully apt gesture, Wilde now tips his hat to the musical hero who he credits for setting him on to his own path with this incredible new single.  We've previously marvelled at the boundless talents of Matt Wilde and expressed our enthusiasm towards his skill and commitment to his craft.  His is an inspired talent that we can't wait to see develop over the years until the day an enthusiastic young fan lovingly creates his own "Wilde Impresses Me" homage. 

'The Midday Chill' by The Soul Sound Collective featuring Flyt

There's little we can say about The Soul Sound Collective that we haven't previously marvelled over.  Their inspired productions have found the gang just as adept at celebrating 70's jazz-funk as much as downtempo chillout numbers and  it's a testament to their abilities that listeners can be ultimately left guessing as to what the next move from the Collective will actually be.  Joining SSC founder, Craig Sims, are SSC stalwarts including bassist Tim Higgins and guitarist Simon Lee.  But 'The Midday Chill' is even further bolstered by the inclusion of North London duo, Josh and Mary Mycroft under the guise of their long-standing musical union, Flyt.  With a track that marks the third outing between The Soul Sound Collective and Flyt (fourth, if you take into account the Soul Sound Collective's remix for Flyt's 'Shadows'), Craig & company always find a way to find this exciting, untapped middle ground that binds the varying styles of the two factions.  'The Midday Chill' again exemplifies this and we may now be very close to the idea that a more official EP or full-length between the two would be very welcome!

'Finding The Wave' EP by Smokin'Rope

Comprised of Gabriel Nacu on guitar, Tim Higgins (of above Soul Sound Collective fame) on bass, Dave Kendall on keys and Luke Simmons on drums, the independent release ensemble forming Smokin'Rope release their third EP which may very well stand tall as their greatest effort to date.  The four-track EP that is 'Finding The Wave' sees the quartet boldly take their music into exciting new directions not previously explored.  While past EPs 'Live at Club 85' (2019) and 'Transcend' (2020) definitively demonstrated the band's skill, 'Finding The Wave' sees the band more playful and more creative than they've ever been.  The EP opener 'Bag' kicks the project off brilliantly - starting off with a harder and grittier tone which surprisingly makes way for some fantastic synths which is frankly a genius inclusion to the song.  Similarly, the EP's title track is another of the project's treasures as the lush keys and brilliant bass again present entirely new aesthetics into the Smokin'Rope mix.  Genuinely a real treat!

'Walk With Me' by Alessia Piermarini

Earlier this year, we took a look at Alessia Piermarini's 'Say His Name' EP - a two-track release created by the singer, songwriter, pianist and loop pedal artist during last year's lockdown.  It was a release that showcased Piermarini's talents as being equally effective whether the setting positions her in front of a piano ('Say His Name') or utilising her skills on the loop pedal to create dynamic new layers and textures as her own sonic backdrop ('Isolation Blues Rhymes').  Since then however, Piermarini has aligned with one of the finest purveyors of contemporary jazz there is through Italy's A.MA Records.  Home to labelmates Sanja Markovic, Avishai Darash and Ugljesa Novakovic, Alessia Piermarini finds herself in fine company as she strives to spread her message of hope as a retort to, at times, fairly horrific global events of the last 18 months.  Other than the understated presence of the piano on the track, all elements of the song's backdrop are created by Piermarini from beat-boxing to vocal percussions, ingeniously building 'Walk With Me' around these disparate layers.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #97: Kathy Kosins

Welcome to Episode #97 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran secure time with Detroit's own, Kathy Kosins.

With six solo albums to her name, the singer, songwriter and producer boasts such an incredible music career that charts back to early recording sessions with the revered bass guitarist Michael Henderson, Was (Not Was) and Gene Dunlap.  Having performed all over the world, Kosins solo career has seen immeasurable success with her most recent full-length 'Uncovered Soul' (released in 2018) embraced by entirely new markets with its dance and house-orientated remixes courtesy of Simbad, Gilles Peterson and OPOLOPO.

During this episode, we talk to Kathy about her initial break into the music industry, those early days as an in-demand singer and songwriter, venturing into her solo career and what it's like to break into the industry during the online streaming age versus a pre-internet era.

We're thrilled to have secured time with Kathy and for more info on her music, we'd urge you to visit her online via the following portals:

https://kathykosins.com/

Instagram: @kathykosins

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#97_Kathy Kosins