'You Were Probably Younger Then' by FLOCKS

'You Were Probably Younger Then' is the new album release from Chicago/Cincinnati-based trio, FLOCKS.

Unveiled through Asta Hiroki's Folded Music - which is having a great year in of themselves with releases from fthmlss, Bon-Psy and Catch92 - FLOCKS' distinct and unique amalgamation of jazz with twinges of electronica make a brilliant addition to the label's eclectic and dynamic roster.

The FLOCKS collective were initially presented as a duo comprising of Josh Jessen on keys and synths and Tom Buckley on drums with their self-titled debut album having been released in 2018.  Although the music served as an excellent introduction to the group's bold and innovative vision, it was really when bassist Stephen Patota became officially incorporated into the, now, trio the following year, in time for their 2019 single 'CNX', that the final piece in the FLOCKS musical aesthetic puzzle had slot beautifully into place.

At its core, the FLOCKS project is an experiment - as justified via the band's Bandcamp page, "Humans making digital noises", this is a study into the harmony between man and technology with compositions that both celebrate and thrive on the indelible input of each.  Parking the notion of musically pairing jazz with electronica for a moment, the concept - from a thematic perspective - is particularly fascinating and deliciously intriguing to explore.  While many devotees may take issue with the increasing rise of streaming services or perhaps the reliance of overt studio wizardry to present vocalists as more talented than they may actually be, there are technological advances within the software, for example, that allow for high-end recording results from the luxury of one's own bedroom as opposed to the big-budget studio environment of days gone by.

It's a fantastic concept that works just as well musically as it does in theory and it's incredible how effortlessly FLOCKS are able to masterfully occupy this middle ground between these two seemingly disparate realms finding the aforementioned harmony between them.

'Fashion Camp' kicks the album off nicely bolstered by its lush instrumentation and synths and with the track's explosive crescendo serving as a real statement of intent to listeners going forward.  While tracks like 'A Thousand Videos' plunge the sound deeper into electronic territory, and 'Tethered/Untethered' help to accentuate the album's more ambient aesthetic, it's the unbridled energy of 'Counterfeit' and 'Find, Fix, Finish' where FLOCKS really excel.  Flawless tracks.  [And for an added bonus, be sure to check out the Asta Hiroki edit of 'Counterfeit' which shines a great perspective on a brilliant multi-layered song.]

'You Were Probably Younger Then' boasts some wonderful moments further establishing FLOCKS as a compulsory voice for today's jazz music scene.

'Brev Til En Ven' by Kosmos Trio

'Brev Til En Ven' marks the new album release from the Kosmos Trio whose debut release finds its home on April Records.

The independent record label has long served as a beacon for innovative and inspired takes on contemporary Danish jazz.  Through the artists that comprise their fantastic roster like the neo-soul twinged OTOOTO or the further-reaching global soundscapes of Kalaha, April Records releases are very much celebrations of the genre's boundless potential and provide an excellent platform for continual explorations into jazz via an ever-increasing crop of phenomenal jazz talent.

Which brings us to the brand new release by the phenomenally talented Kosmos Trio - a collective comprised of pianist Frede Holger Thorsen alongside brothers Harald Hagelskjær on bass and Gustav Hagelskjær on drums.  With Thorsen and Gustav having initially met during the esteemed Playground European jazz initiative which strives to provide a platform for burgeoning jazz stars of the future through extensive mentorship and live performances, the two quickly bonded over their like-minded musical sensibilities.  Initially meeting following their time at Playground to record music, the inclusion of Harald to round out the ensemble proved to be the final piece of the puzzle.  With music flowing effortlessly between the three, the Kosmos Trio was subsequently born leading to the release of 'Brev Til En Ven' some five years later.

The music throughout the eight tracks on 'Brev Til En Ven' display an incredible skill and maturity seemingly far beyond the trio's comparatively young ages.  The album's beautiful compositions present the rich elegance of neo-classical pieces while still serving as inspired celebrations of ambient and free jazz.  

The album opener, 'Mørkevandring', is a masterclass in restraint and introduces listeners to the fantastic chemistry the trio exude through their playing.  There's a poetry in their music and it is effortlessly carried over into 'Slow Motion' and the album's achingly beautiful title track that is wholly fitting and serves as a real testament to the album's performers and their undeniable skill to create pieces of such transcendence.

Both understated and intricate in its delivery and composition, 'Brev Til En Ven' is an absolute gem within a treasure trove of April Records releases which this year alone has seen new music from Alawari and Human Being Human.  Highly recommended.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #114: Deborah Jordan & K15

Welcome to Episode #114 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with Deborah Jordan and K15.

While the inspired pairing of revered singer and songwriter, Deborah Jordan, alongside the boundless versatility of producer and musician Kieron "K15" Ifill for a whole album seemed too good to be true, this is actually a project that each of their respective roads had been converging towards for years.  With a musical union that stretches as far back as Jordan's sophomore album release 'What You See' (2011), K15's immaculate production has become a firm staple within her music since having gone on to contribute remixes for 'Love From The Sun' and 'Amina' as well as four staggering productions on Jordan's monumental 'See in the Dark' album.  

As much of a meeting of the musical minds as this project is, the album undertakes a deeply spiritual exploration on what it is to be human.  With songs delving into fear, grief, remorse and love, 'Human' boldly places those character traits under the proverbial microscope and faces them with a sincere and honest openness.

With great pride, we welcome Deborah and Kieron to discuss the album at length as well as their long-standing history of collaborations and their respective approaches to making music.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#114_Deborah Jordan & K15

5 Songs About: Tru Thoughts Records

This episode of our 5 Songs About: series sees us celebrate the music of the revered Brighton-based label, Tru Thoughts Records.  As surmised on the label's website, "We aren't the sort of people to get stuck on genres; we hope you agree that good music is good music".  It's a fantastic ethos to put forward for a label and it's one that Tru Thoughts has lived by since their inception in 1999 playing host to some incredible music releases from a roster as diverse as the electronic-meets-Gnawa collaboration of Rabii Harnoune & V.B. Kühl, the LA-based horn trio Moonchild, the broken beat wizardry of WheelUP, the blazing funk of The Bamboos or the vibrant energy of The Hot 8 Brass Band.  Tru Thoughts continues to house a treasure trove of innovative and inspired music from sensational artists and here are 5 tracks we were keen to talk about today...

1. 'Threads' by Bryony Jarman-Pinto (2019)

Spearheaded by the singles 'As I've Heard' and 'Saffron Yellow' – Bryony Jarman-Pinto's distinctive unhindered style of soul, jazz, folk and beat-heavy tracks, coupled with an earnest and heartfelt approach to her songwriting, served as excellent examples to what her pairing with Tru Thoughts label-mate Tom "Werkha" Leah would breed for a full-length album.  'Cage and Aviary' absolutely delivered on all fronts - a truly incredible album boasting several songs that could have quite easily found its place on this list; we'd also encourage you to check out the remixes in support of the album courtesy of Wu-Lu, dego, 2000Black and Wonky Logic, as well as the Fish Factory live sessions EP.

2. 'Crazy That You Love' by Aurora Dee Raynes (2021)

The London-based collective Aurora Dee Raynes headed up by Stephen Raynes and vocalist Danielle Kranendonk released their debut full-length in 2021.  Pulling from a variety of exciting influences that formed the musical gumbo of Aurora Dee Raynes' 'Invisible Things', the project was as much a celebration of classic neo-soul as it was a progressive take on the genre.  Bursting with boundless creativity and enthusiasm, Aurora Dee Raynes absolutely solidifies their place amongst Tru Thoughts greats with tracks like 'Find My Way', 'Good For You' and of course the riveting energy of 'Crazy That You Love'.  A recent remix of 'Good For You' by Shy One offers an exciting broken beat aesthetic to the group's music which they comfortably adopt as part of their compelling arsenal.

3. 'Feeling Good' by The Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Alice Russell (2005)

Will "Quantic" Holland and Alice Russell will perhaps forever be recognised as Tru Thoughts' the artists most synonymous with label recording home.  With a wealth of releases in their own rights, their combined collaborations warrant just as much praise for the undeniable chemistry and unbridled magic the two bring to each other's music including this cover of Nina Simone's seminal 'Feeling Good'.  Naturally, Simone's original would warrant absolutely zero introduction as it's a song that has seen a multitude of covers from Michael Bublé to Lauryn Hill so it's saying something that this soul-infused and string-heavy interpretation by Quantic & Alice Russell - taken from the Quantic Soul Orchestra sophomore album, 'Pushing On' - is quite possibly the best reimagining of Simone's classic that you are likely to hear. 

4. 'Blue' by Space Captain (2017)

Space Captain's debut full-length, 'All Flowers in Time', introduced the New York-based band's take on their varying styles ranging from indie-pop to psych-soul across their imaginative nine track outing.  Featuring some exquisite tracks throughout, the gloriously infectious 'Blue' served as the clear album standout with fantastic production and a sublime performance from Space Captain vocalist Maralisa Simmons-Cook.  Be sure to check out the brilliant remixes courtesy of Sly5thAve ('Blue') and Jesse Fischer ('Loveline').

5. 'Raise The Roof' by Lizzy Parks (2008) 

Impossible to have completed this list without shouting out the brilliant 'Raise The Roof' album by songwriter-vocalist, Lizzy Parks.  An album that thrived from its unique amalgamation of styles thanks in part to the project's co-producer Benedic "Nostalgia 77" Lamdin, this release ranks as another sensational release within the Tru Thoughts catalogue and perhaps one that went a little under-appreciated.  Bolstered by some awesome tracks including 'Forever and a Day', 'Ode to St Cecile' and of course the vibrant jazz of the album's title track, 'Raise The Roof' still ranks as an essential Tru Thoughts project.  As an added bonus, absolutely check out the Nostalgia 77 remix of the album track, 'All That', which relishes within its 90's boom bap production.  Bliss.

6. 'ZBRA' by Nikitch & Kuna Maze (2019)

What's this?  An illusive sixth song?  Well, you'll have to forgive our enthusiasm for not being able to stop at just five but such is the catalogue, we couldn't resist just one further entry which sees us cite the collaborative project between Nicolas Morant (Nikitch) and Edouard Gilbert (Kuna Maze).  The duo have created some incredible soundscapes fusing their affections for jazz compositions with the electronica stylings of broken beat.  With their last album 'Back & Forth' released earlier this year to rave reviews, we turned our attention to the duo's eclectic 'Mush' EP for our selection today.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #113: Jonny Enser

Welcome to Episode #113 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with trumpeter and composer Jonny Enser.

Having established himself through three stunning full-length releases as part of the UK collective, Nubiyan Twist, the unveiling of his own Matters Unknown project positions Enser front & centre for a captivating project that finds a perfect label home on New Soil.  With a series of stunning singles available in advance of the album's release including 'A Beginning', 'BlindSpot', 'Hewester' and 'Orange Triangle', 'We Aren't Just' is a bold and incredibly enjoyable listen that has long been in the works and provides the perfect platform for Enser's skills amassed from over ten years of creating and performing music.

The episode delves into some of Jonny's meaningful inspirations, the joy of performing, his time as a member of Nubiyan Twist and of course all things related to the creation of the new album.

'We Aren't Just' is scheduled for release 28th October 2022 via New Soil.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#113_Jonny Enser (Matters Unknown)