'Living and Living' by Tigeroak

'Living and Living' marks the new album release from Danish duo Tigeroak released through April Records.

Already garnering so much success so early in their careers, the Tigeroak two-some comprised of vocalist and writer Anna Prinds alongside multi-instrumentalist and producer Laurits Steen Møberg can lay claim to some monumental successes including performances around Europe, a selection for last year's Jazz Danmark's National Jazz Competition and an award-winning performance at the Jazz and Roots festival.

And the praise and plaudits are absolutely warranted - while their music clearly resonates with people through the live stage, the nine tracks as presented via 'Living and Living' showcases Tigeroak's scintillating portrayal of a quintessential neo-soul aesthetic that is somewhat of a revolution for April Records.  While long-serving as a hot bed for Danish contemporary jazz, recent releases from the label seem to widen their scope a little with the hip-hop-infused 'A Supreme Vibe' by The Supreme Court or recent releases from fellow neo-soul-inspired collective OTOOTO.  Tigeroak seem poised to add to April's continuing lineage for new and innovative talent celebrating Denmark's vibrant music-making landscape.

Beautifully performed, brilliantly produced... Tigeroak's vision is brought to life by Prinds' elegant vocal that is afforded the luxury of a sublime musical backdrop; With Møberg credited throughout for guitar, bass, drum programming, synths and sound design, the music - while a stunning interpretation of neo-soul stylings - delicately features a range of intricacies and subtle nods to varying musical facets that bring so much to the album's overall sound.  

With Møberg's background in electronic music and ambient compositions (have a quick listen to his Soundcloud page), he does manage to restrain himself but injects just the right touches at just the right time to really elevate the production.  Martine Bak Toldam's fantastic work on piano and rhodes throughout the album also warrants special mention as she offers such a strong contribution to the project as a whole as do the more fleeting album guests like drummer Jakob Marker ('I Remember'), trumpeter Peter Marrott ('Living and Living') and flautist Ditte Warrer Bech ('People').

The album's luxurious title track opener is indicative of many of the album's songs - accentuated by lush textures, warm production and Prinds' enthralling vocal - theirs is a captivating formula which transcends throughout the varying tracks like the more sparse arrangement of 'Listening for Noises' or the riveting drum & bass-esque break at the conclusion of 'Morning Vitamin'.

Tigeroak seem poised for boundless success and with 'Living and Living' now officially unveiled to the world clearly an infinitive amount of further praise and plaudits await!

'Minus 30​°​C' by Zima Stulecia

So many Astigmatic projects are born of a chief inspiration.  Notably the music of Polish septet EABS is famed for celebrating the music and/or teachings of luminaries including Sun Ra, film composer Krzysztof Komeda or just Poland's rich heritage and culture in general while their Bloto counterparts have delved deeper into a more sparse and atmospheric sound often citing 90s hip-hop as their chief inspiration.

For band members Marcin "Cancer G" Rak and Marek "Latarnik" Pedziwiatr - who serve as drummer and pianist for both EABS and Bloto collectives - their exciting new project again draws from a primary source of inspiration and this time builds on the concept of American Ninja's Michael Dudikoff being stranded in freezing Poland in 1987.  It's as valid a concept for a film - or an album - that I've ever heard and while we may not have the chance to see the movie, at least we have the glory of its in-depth and visceral soundtrack courtesy of the duo under the collective name of Zima Stulecia.

This is the kind of charm and personality we've now come to expect from EABS (and affiliate) projects.  Both Rak and Pedziwiatr's ability, under the various musical umbrellas, to create compositions that provide such extensive and far-reaching perceptions of contemporary jazz continue to deliver inspired results.  Even Latarnik's work with Astigmatic label mates, the Lahore-based quartet Jaubi, further display the exceptional scope of the talent on display here.  'Minus 30°C' looks set to evolve the duo's sound perhaps fully veering over into the realms of brooding electronica with gentle nods towards their signature off-kilter jazz aesthetic.

And for our protagonist, the sensational and vibrant sonic backdrop paints a scintillating portrait of the hero's over-arching journey.  For the uninitiated, Michael Dudikoff remains one of the pre-eminent names of 80s and 90s action films thanks in large part to his role as Joe Armstrong within the American Ninja franchise.

While it's wholly plausible that Armstrong's quest to fully dispose of the Black Star Order of Ninjas could take him to Poland - Katana blade in hand - 'Minus 30°C' is very much a loving homage to this genre of action films.  We can experience the mysterious energy of 'Odsniezanie', the determination of our hero in 'Lawina', Joe's struggle during the album's 'Minus 30°C' title track as the villains gain their stronghold and the high-tension climax of Joe's ultimate victory in 'Zamrozenie'.

Rak and Pedziwiatr seem to be in the joyous and enviable situation of creating music that celebrates not just their heroes but also those moments within their own stories that shaped them as individuals and musicians.  It's exciting to see unfold throughout their releases and equally interesting to see where their respective fandoms and curiosities will take them next.

New singles round-up ::: February 2023

'Drownin' by Antoine Berjeaut

Serving as one of the tantalising lead singles from the upcoming MENACE label compilation, trumpeter and composer Antoine Berjeaut unveils another in his stunning takes on diverse contemporary jazz with the hip-hop-inspired single 'Drownin'.  Berjeaut's fantastic 'Chromesthesia', released last year, was an exemplary project to showcase the broad musical scope of the MENACE roster - with its electronica-tinged and brooding atmosphere, Berjeaut has followed suit with a lush number cementing his compulsory inclusion amongst the 12-track line-up.  'MENACE : IN SYNC' will serve as a compulsory purchase to those yet to immerse themselves within the label's releases to date.

'Look Around' [Raw Funk Mix] by Renegades of Jazz featuring Mani Draper

In support of last year's 'Sonic Verve' full-length release - the fifth album from David Hanke's Renegades of Jazz alter ego - the Mani Draper collaboration receives the remix treatment courtesy of the ROJ signature funk & break beat-inspired drums.  Hanke's Bathurst label home consistently releases some stunning music across the broad spectrum of neo-soul to sublime electronica courtesy of artists like Tristan De Liege, Gregg Green, Lehto and Blackadder so there are always treasures to immerse yourself within from the label's excellent roster.  A quick mention to the ROJ 'Sonic Verve' release from last year as well boasting some excellent singles including 'Just Stirred' featuring Laura Vane and Diesler.

'A Friend To All' by Georgie Sweet

For the second single from the upcoming Georgie Sweet full-length, excitingly due out this year, Sweet turns to Futuristica Music label boss Simon S for a brilliantly-produced track expertly building upon the groundwork as established by her 'Misunderstood' album in 2020.  Since the rapturously-received debut, Sweet has treated listeners with a selection of tracks for us to enthusiastically scoop up including featured appearances for Marc Rapson and Children of Zeus and a track exclusive to the phenomenal Futuristica Music 15 year compilation.  'A Friend To All' however picks up on those elements where Georgie Sweet soars - an exquisite vocal adorning the backdrop of a lo-fi, Jazz Chronicles-esque production typical to Simon S that instils such high expectations for the impending sophomore release.

'Duck Rogers' by V.B.Kühl

The Frankfurt-based DJ and producer V.B.Kühl unveils his new single showcasing his typically funky slice of inter galactic electro with 'Duck Rogers'.  The self-professed "groove addict" has long delivered his interpretations of funky, jazzy and disco style compositions across an extensive array of releases via his Bandcamp page and most recently alongside Rabii Harnoune for their sensational Gnawa Electric Laune series on the always brilliant Tru Thoughts Records.  A tirelessly prolific producer and music-maker, V.B.Kühl is rarely short on ideas or inspiration with the 'Duck Rogers' single indicative of his indelible talents.

Hector Pizarro guest mix

Our friend Hector Pizarro gifts us with an awesome guest mix showcasing some stunning sounds from across the expansive jazz-infused global sonic soundscape.

Broadcasting from Paris, France - home to Hector's own Mapuche Records and Chile Con Mix (radio show) - the DJ, producer and broadcaster's keen eye on innovative new electronic and dancefloor-focused music has led to some fantastic releases and a thrilling perspective on contemporary and classic jazz. 

Music selections on this guest show are as follows:

Gato Barbieri -  Fireflies  

Azymuth - Juntos Mais uma Vez

Kota Motomura -  Midnight +1  

Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad - The Midnight Hour  

Southern Energy Ensemble - Energy  

Gerardo Frisina - Marombo  

Horatio Luna – Golden  

Max Roach - Lonesome Lover  

Dizzy Gillespie - Closer  

Ivan Conti - Katmandu (Pablo Valentino Remix)  

Tony Williams - Echo  

Jazz Celula-Probuzeni - Carvery Remastered  

Cloud One – Dust to Dust

'Visions' by Cinephonic

'Visions' is the new album release from the Pierre Chrétien-helmed Cinephonic collective released through Ontario's Marlow Records.

Following up on Cinephonic's debut release 'Les Paradis Artificiels' from 2020, Chrétien has clearly stumbled onto a winning and creatively satisfying formula that sees the multi-instrumentalist and producer employ his years embedded within the broad pallette of music-making and transform them into a series of lush, cinematic soul-infused soundscapes.

Chrétien has thrived amidst a variety of musical projects over the years - the sensational spiritual jazz outfit, the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, captivated listeners with their 'Oceanic Suite' full-length from 2016 while Chrétien has also achieved a huge amount of success as band leader for the celebrated Souljazz Orchestra who have amassed an extensive catalogue since 2005 with the vast majority of their releases finding a home on the UK's revered Strut Records.

Across the multitude of his projects, Chrétien's indelible touch has seen him assume the role of producer, composer as well as tackling a variety of instrumentation throughout his albums including electric piano, clavinet, organ, guitar, mellotron, piano, bass, percussion and vibraphone.  Cinephonic's 'Les Paradis Artificiels' debut, for example, saw Chrétien collaborate with Robert Biesewig on drums and Souljazz Orchestra member Marielle Rivard on percussion while assuming all other duties himself.  'Visions' however proves to be a far more inclusive affair with a considerably more far-reaching scope with up to fourteen close friends and collaborators employed which excitingly comprise members of the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, The Souljazz Orchestra and Marlow Records labelmates The Mar-Kays, who backed singer Slim Moore for their fantasic gritty soul offering 'Introducing Slim Moore & The Mar-Kays' from back in 2011.

While Chrétien has been very open about the inspiration for this project stemming from his affections for 1970s cinematic compositions - an affection shared by several of today's luminaries like Shawn Lee, Norman Smuggler and Glenn Fallows - Cinephonic manages to present a brilliant extension and inspired facet to Chrétien's music to date.  

Despite the noted differences in project contributors, 'Visions' very much builds upon the groundwork as established by the album's predecessor with ten tracks offering a rich and versatile collection of recordings portraying an ever-changing series of scenes and emotions.  

The vibrant 'Le Combat' kicks the project off in excellent fashion serving as a dynamic and vibrant opener before leading into the equally fascinating 'Pyramides'.  'L'Exil', like many of the album's tracks, is bolstered by the lush orchestration provided throughout and actually provides the first of the album's more introspective pieces.  'Visions' owes so much to the charm and personality that just beams through the music - wonderfully presented with crisp performances all enriched by its gloriously dusty analog aesthetic.

So much of Pierre Chrétien's music - as evidenced through a variety of collectives and ensembles - can be attributed to the theme of exploration and under the Cinephonic guise so many new adventures have subsequently become available for exploration.  Whether 'Vision's leads on to a third outing or if the Cinephonic journey does in fact end here, it has certainly been an incredible adventure!