'Introducing Point of Few: Live Sessions' by Point of Few

We have to confess to being embarrassingly late to the party on this one but we're no less proud to help spread the word of the awesome talents of Point of Few and their sensational release, 'Introducing Point of Few: Live Sessions'.

Released in 2020, Point of Few are a Czech jazz quartet whose blissful introduction here arrives in the form of a collection of live sessions recorded from various studios and venues.  With each song drawing inspiration from its mostly distinctive and unique surroundings, elements of the supernatural and folklore and even their affection for Radiohead, these exquisite selections showcase the band's expansive styles and disciplines across the ever-broadening scope of contemporary jazz.  From the avant-garde to improvisational compositions, the Point of Few members each share a strong penchant for the infectious groove-based, neo-soul stylings that adorn the music throughout these sessions.

Comprised of saxophonist Petr Smékal, guitarist Radim Přidal, Vlastimil Škoda on bass guitar and Marek Antoňů on drums, Point of Few present such an inspired take on their music over the album's six tracks - from the warm and intimate album opener, 'Rádiová medolie / Radio Medoly' to the nostalgia laden 'A Memory of a Fringe / Vzpomínka na ofinu' or the epic near-thirteen minutes of 'Collage'.  The aforementioned neo-soul aesthetic is really punctuated throughout these sessions resulting in some inspired interplay between the musicians predominately revolving around Přidal's guitar and some sublimely understated sax throughout.  While many of the songs excel within this mid-tempo groove, 'Ahasver' delivers its own highlight as one of the album's ballad ballads which is a beautifully composed song.

The Point of Few YouTube channel also houses some excellent videos of the sessions as they appear here with the intention of building upon the visual aesthetic of their sound as well.

There are so many exciting ideas and concepts expressed by Point of Few throughout their music that although we're incredibly late in our discovery, we're just relieved that we did in fact discover this excellent project at all and look forward to what lays next for the quartet over subsequent releases.

'Put Your Hands Up' by Randa & The Soul Kingdom

'Put Your Hands Up' marks the third full-length album release from Randa & The Soul Kingdom.

Randa Khamis and company initially burst onto the scene in 2009 amidst a riveting funk and soul revival that has since seen the rise of so many Australian artists and bands including Cookin on 3 Burners, Dojo Cuts, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Mayfield, The Bamboos and so many more.  Already a seasoned performer by her 20s, Khamis had shared stages with the UK's Speedometer, toured alongside Eddie Bo and opened for world class acts including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Lionel Richie.

Having found its home on the UK's revered Freestyle Records, the self-titled debut release by Randa & The Soul Kingdom presented the archetypal feel-good, blazing funk and soul synonymous with the genre's trailblazers.  Specifically targeting the dance floor, explosive and high-energy numbers like 'Feel It In Your Soul', 'Getting Down To It' and the show stealer 'Lysistrata's Quest' were brought to life by marquis names including guitarist and producer Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Menagerie) and drummer Ivan Khatchoyan (Cookin on 3 Burners, The Traffic) amongst other awesome collaborators... and with Randa Khamis taking centre stage, the end-result delivered something of a cult classic that still holds up as a treasure thirteen years later.

With the third album now being introduced to eager listeners, this is actually a project that has been awaiting its audience for some time.  With the world's ever-changing landscape in the last few years which has ushered in the era of face masks, social distancing, excessive amounts of hand sanitizer, home schooling and Zoom-based interactions, what time would be the right time when considering releasing a new project amidst such extraordinary circumstances?!

But fast-forward to February 2022, and 'Put Your Hands Up' finally sees the light of the day.  For this record, the collective present a project that's more ambitious in its scope and broader within its musical palette.  The album opener 'Gonna Get Love' introduces exciting new concepts into Randa's music plunging her awesome vocal somewhere between classic rhythm 'n' blues and 60s psychedelic soul.  More familiar Randa fare can be found in the fiery Northern Soul stomper 'Is This I' and the disco-esque groove of the album's title track while '2048' serves as an inspirational and timely call-to-arms in light of increasing environmental risks.  While much of the group's music has always found its home in the joy of celebrating that feel-good energy, 'Find A Good Man' soars as the album's exquisite ballad - a style listeners haven't often been exposed to with Khamis tracks previously - delivering another of the album's many highlights.

'Put Your Hands Up' is an album long in the works and although it may have taken a while to make its ways to listeners, the wait has been worth it as we now have an album that builds wonderfully upon the awesome Randa & The Soul Kingdom legacy as established thirteen years ago.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #106: Randa Khamis of Randa & The Soul Kingdom

Welcome to Episode #106 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer and songwriter, Randa Khamis.

It's incredible to think that Randa and The Soul Kingdom's debut, self-titled album was released as far back as 2009.  Still sounding as fresh and innovative now as it did upon first release, Randa Khamis led the charge with a personality-driven, powerhouse vocal.  Backed by an all-star cast whose initial iteration featured Lance Ferguson (Menagerie, The Bamboos) on guitar and Ivan Khatchoyan (Cookin on 3 Burners, The Traffic) on drums, Randa and The Soul Kingdom went on to steal hearts of funk & soul fans the world over through dare-you-to-sit-still tracks like 'Feel It In Your Soul', 'Not Gonna Let You' and 'Lysistrata's Quest'.   

With two albums released through the revered Freestyle Records, this year marks the tenth year since the band's last album release and excitingly offers a thrilling reinvention of their sound.  With the release of the collective's third full-length album, 'Put Your Hands Up' presents Randa's inimitable vocal with broader soundscapes that dabble within the realms of classic rhythm'n'blues, 60s psychedelic soul and blazing funk & soul numbers. 

We hope you enjoy this episode where we discuss Randa's past releases, the serendipitous set of circumstances that kick-started her career as well as the brand new album, 'Put Your Hands Up'. 

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#106_Randa Khamis

New music round-up ::: February 2022

 

'What If Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti Were Friends' [Jess Camilleri Remix] by All Day Breakfast Café

Looking set to capitalise upon the release of All Day Breakfast Café's debut EP 'Builders Brew' last year, the dynamic Jelly Cleaver-led ensemble now look towards the 'Builder's Brew' remix EP currently in the works.  Spearheaded by Jess Camilleri's up-beat electronica-tinged reinterpretation of 'What If Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti Were Friends', the song's original incarnation ingeniously mused over the concept of a musical union between the two icons of their respective genres and styles thus presenting a thrilling disco-meets-afrobeat birth-child over a glorious 8-minute exploration.  Now, with the added vision of Jess Camilleri thrown into the (re)mix, the song's evolution ascends to another exciting stage solidifying her as a great name to help move the project forward particularly when considering her involvement in the original 'Builders Brew EP' which lists Camilleri as the EP's co-producer and tackling mixing duties.

News of the brilliant ensemble comprising All Day Breakfast Café returning with a new project so soon will no doubt make lots of listeners very happy so we look forward with great excitement for the fascinating new direction this suite of remixes will take the project in.

'Energy' [Blue Lab Beats Remix] by Amp Fiddler

With a track initially housed on Amp Fiddler's Bassmentality vol.3 EP from back in 2015, 'Energy' subsequently receives the remix treatment this year from the dream pairing of the Detroit music champion with London's Blue Lab Beats.  And while Fiddler is often more commonly perceived as a funk music artist, and the Blue Lab Beats duo associated with more of a jazz aesthetic, both acts share a strong affection for electronica-inspired soundscapes which is the gloriously happy medium this remix finds itself within.  Amp Fiddler's chameleon-like ability to thrive with collaborations, be them as varied as the disco boogie champion Yam Who? or the gritty funk of Will Sessions, solidify Fiddler as one of the most fascinating and inspiring artists making music today.  Here's hoping for more from the Fiddler-Beats collaboration in time to come.

'RITUALS' by smiling LIS

The new single by Stockholm's smiling LIS - better known as Liselotte Östblom - presents an exciting new dynamic to her catalogue of music releases thus far.  As a singer, songwriter and producer in her own right, Östblom has always relished the opportunity to use her platform to present varying facets of her passions and abilities - from the jazzy neo-soul of past full-length projects ('A Paintbrush Unfold', 2017) to diverse collaborations with artists like Rocket Brother, Clint Breeze and Filip Ekestubbe Trio.  New single 'RITUALS' looks to take Östblom's music into slightly new and previously unexplored directions with its off-kilter sonics and hip-hop-inspired production.  "smiling LIS" as a new moniker for Östblom makes for an exciting premise and it will be interesting to see what lays ahead for her through this new phase of musical discovery.

'Dyskusja' / 'Busz' by Henryk Debich

Envisioned as a trilogy of releases celebrating the brilliance of Henryk Debich - the founder and leader of The Lódz Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television - Astigmatic Records have paid a loving tribute to the versatile visionary.  The 7" single release 'Monika' kicked the kicked the project off followed by the nine-track full-length, 'Zabawa w ciemnosci', and now the final 7" release comprising 'Dyskusja' and 'Busz'.  With both numbers written and arranged by Jacek Malinowski with Debich serving as the orchestra's conductor, the tracks here, both recorded in 1977, veer more towards that synth-heavy disco-funk at times resembling that of a classic Blaxploitation-era soundtrack designed to reflect the tough and uncompromising US streets.  Astigmatic's releases continually demonstrate the label's passion towards global and contemporary jazz but equally their revisiting of Poland's past in this context has proved an incredibly successful outing.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #105: Allie Wilding

Welcome to Episode #105 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran reconnect with the saxophonist and producer, Allie Wilding.

Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now residing in Washington, the educator, writer and musician conveys such a unique perspective through her art that just bursts with creativity and personality.  Allie's debut EP 'The Love-Chord' is released 11th February 2022 and is a remarkable exploration into a genre-defying, no rules approach to music-making that finds its joy within these exquisite cross-sections of where jazz, soul and hip-hop all meet.

A phenomenal talent, we hope you enjoy this episode where we discuss Allie's musical journey to this point as well as this fantastic new EP and hope you'll be encouraged to explore Allie's music further her Bandcamp page: https://alliewilding.bandcamp.com/releases

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#105_Allie Wilding

5 Songs About: Makaya McCraven

With work currently underway for a brand new episode of our GetToKnow... series to showcase the music of drummer and producer Makaya McCraven, we thought we'd issue this minor tease into the Chicago-based artist's phenomenal catalogue of music.  Boasting a slew of album releases as part of the Chicago-based label, International Anthem Recordings, alongside his most recent effort for Blue Note in 'Deciphering The Message', Makaya continually proves himself to be one of the leading and most innovative names in contemporary jazz music.

In true GetToKnow... fashion, these radio shows take an in-depth look at a musician or producer's selection of music specifically for other artists so here is a 5 song selection looking at Makaya McCraven's music outside of his own full-length projects that you should absolutely get to know all about...

1. 'Source' [Makaya McCraven Remix] by Nubya Garcia

Makaya McCraven and saxophonist Nubya Garcia have actually developed a strong catalogue of music releases together over the last few years with Garcia serving as a key contributor to previous McCraven releases 'Universal Beings' and 'Where We Come From (Chicago X London Mixtape)'.  McCraven's strong affections for the wealth of burgeoning UK jazz talent is well-known so his name added to the extensive list of contributors - alongside Mark de Clive-Lowe and Georgia Anne Muldrow - all keen to reimagine songs from Garcia's Concord Records debut 'Source' was a notably exciting one gifting Garcia, as well as excited listeners, this gem of a remix.

2. 'I'll Take Care of You' [Makaya McCraven Remix] by Gil Scott-Heron

To celebrate the ten year anniversary of Gil Scott-Heron's final album release, 'I'm New Here', XL Recordings approached McCraven with the concept of reimagining the project in much the same way Jamie XX did in 2011.  With the Jamie XX version of the album ('We're New Here') receiving significant praise and plaudits - particularly for his remix of this very same song - McCraven proved to be an equally inspired choice with his interpretations leading to some wonderful renditions as well.  Enlisting a range of artists to help tackle the music throughout including Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Jeff Parker and Greg Spero amongst several others, McCraven's 'We're New Again' release again was drawn to the magic of the Bobby Bland 1959 original of 'I'll Take Care of You' delivering one of the project's many highlights.

3. 'Dark Honey (4TheStorm)' by Ashley Henry featuring Makaya McCraven

In another collaboration that was forged as part of the monumental 'Universal Beings' sessions, pianist Ashley Henry was recruited to form part of the London ensemble alongside some wonderful London-based talent.  The favour is promptly returned here however with McCraven securing himself a guest spot for this number on Henry's 'Beautiful Vinyl Hunter' project in 2019.  Henry's album boasts some fantastic names throughout but the allure of 'Dark Honey' in this instance hosting an ensemble including Henry, McCraven, bassist Daniel Casimir, trumpeter Jaimie Branch and vocalist Sahra Zoe Ahmed Gure all on one track is too great for anyone to pass up.

 

4. 'Cloud Jam' by Greg Spero & The Chicago Experiment

Pianist Greg Spero and McCraven can cite an incredibly extensive collaborations catalogue developed over the years with each artist serving as a chief contributor to several of each others projects.  For this entry within Ropeadope's 'Experiment' series - which has seen the series celebrate music from cities including Philadelphia, Harlem and Detroit - Spero helms an elite array of predominantly Chicago-based talent including Jeff Parker, Joel Ross, Marquis Hill and of course Makaya McCraven on drums to wave the flag for Chicago's boundlessly talented artists.  

 

 5. 'Ask Them (The Children)' by Tensei featuring Yaw & Najite Olokun Prophecy

Once again waving the flag for Chicago-based talent, this time is the production duo of Chris Kramer and Midas Wells, otherwise known as Tensei.  Their stellar 2019 project, 'Constellate', released through Germany's Tokyo Dawn Records, served up an exciting melting pot of musical styles with a sound rooted in hip-hop just as much as it was in jazz and the spectrum of styles in between.  Makaya McCraven blessed the project by appearing on two tracks including the afro-centric rhythms of 'Ask Them', one of the standouts of the release.

'Aeriform' by Crush String Collective

'Aeriform' is the brand new release from the Crush String Collective.

Marking the debut album by the Copenhagen-based septet, the Collective present an incredibly bold and inspired project that draws from the elegance of neo-classical compositions alongside the innovation of ambient or free jazz.

Made up of a selection of cellists, viola players and violinists, the Crush String Collective is comprised of the boundlessly talented Julija Morgan, Maria Martine Jagd, Pauline Hogstrand, Tove Bagge, Oda Dyrnes, Ida Nørby and Nicole Hogstrand whose unified and unparalleled vision presents a genuinely sublime and wholly unique perspective.

With the album title, 'Aeriform', calling to mind the very intricate nature and form of air, the music throughout the album's twelve tracks celebrate this aesthetic across a variety of open-minded and creative interpretations.  The album's ideas and concepts are steeped within Nordic tradition with 'Aeriform' taking an incomparable look at the world around it - cherishing those moments of exquisite beauty while at the same time calling to attention those moments of (un)natural disruption.  

'Nymphalidae' marks an interesting example of the latter - although more than likely a composition designed to replicate the tireless flutter of a butterfly's wings (with the Nymphalidae serving as the largest family of butterflies), conversely there's an uncomfortable erraticism about the song that almost disturbs the beauty that it is embedded within.  And that "disruption" can either be perceived as a symptom of the oftentimes harsh realities of nature or it can be perceived as a social commentary regarding man's own disrespect towards mother nature's laws.

But then there certainly is beauty.  

From the album's glorious slow-building opener - the aptly titled 'Blooming' - we're gently eased into this immersive new world with each song acting as its own portal towards a new area of discovery.  Within its vastly ambitious and cinematic scope, 'Aeriform' finds its beating heart within compositions like 'Intermezzo I - Lotus', 'Choral II - Aurora' and 'Isbre' - songs that are brought to life by these lush and warm textures that are just magical pieces in their own right and deliver some of the album's greatest moments.   

Writers far wiser than I have in the past described music as its own language.  A method of universal communication that is unhindered and without barriers and I can genuinely assure you that if given the chance, you'll find 'Aeriform' to uphold these values to the highest standard.