:n-the-m:x | July 2023

Welcome to our monthly mix series with each episode spotlighting 10 tracks that we were particularly excited about across various shows on Blue-in-Green:RADIO. This month showcases a selection providing a 40+ minute excursion from R&B, future soul to electronica and hip-hop-inspired jazz.

Music this month comes courtesy of...

'All Of Me' by Garl Beals (LRK Records)

'High' by The 7 Day Weekend featuring Sonya Rae Taylor (Vintage League Music)

'Yaya' by Aphrose (LRK Records)

'Angel' by Pvibez featuring Vicky Flint

'Ready or Not' [DJ Kwamzy Amapiano Remix] by Fugees

'Stranger To Myself' [Nyumo Remix] by Alpacas Collective

'Mosquitoh' by Jazzbois (Blunt Shelter Records)

'Train to Kyoto' by The Peter Franks Group featuring Julian Ferraretto & Tom Mason (Futuristica Music)

'Figuring' by Matt Wilde (Band on the Wall Recordings)

'Uncanny Valley' by Jonny Wickham (Fresh Sound Records)

:n-the-m:x is exclusive to our Mixcloud channel so be sure to check back at the end of every month for future round-ups.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #127: Simon S (a.k.a. Peter Franks)

Welcome to Episode #127 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with DJ, producer, Simon S.

As founder of Futuristica Music, Simon S has always strived for the label to showcase an exemplary perspective on progressive and innovative new sounds from various quarts of the contemporary soul music landscape. Just from a quick assessment of the label's recent releases, there's the neo-soul sounds of the sensational Georgie Sweet, the hip-hop inspired aesthetic of vocalist LaNote, the soulful electronica of As Valet's 'Virgo Stellar' project and of course the always exceptional releases of Deborah Jordan, most recently via her phenomenal pairing with K15 for 'HUMAN'.

The Simon S helmed Jazz Chronicles and Peter Franks projects afford the DJ and producer the opportunity to nurture his affections for a series of interwoven jazz-meets-hip-hop narratives with The Peter Franks Group in particular forging ahead with a creative path born of samples-based compositions fused with lush live instrumentation.

And forging "ahead" in this instance is the key term.

While the initial Peter Franks release in 2018 sought to pay loving tribute to influences and inspirations via a series of exquisite, nostalgia-driven compositions in 'Days Past', 2023's 'Days Ahead' - as the title suggests - is an infinitely more assertive and confident record. Its commitment to creating its own identity is very much an ideal that gives focus to the album and unifies much of its context.

With Simon S/Peter Franks credited for the album's production along with drums, samples, bass, keys and percussion, the 'Days Ahead' table is set for an exalted line-up of contributors including Amanda Whiting, Nat Birchall, Robert Mitchell and Marc Rapson among others.

We were fortunate to catch up with Simon to discuss the making of the new record, the collaborators involved and discuss some upcoming Futuristica info for the year.

You can purchase your copy of 'Days Ahead' available on vinyl and digital here on Bandcamp.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#127_Simon S (a.k.a. Peter Franks)

'Moko Jumbie' by A Plane To Catch

'Moko Jumbie' marks the debut full-length release from A Plane To Catch unveiled through the Danish label, April Records.

The fantastic five-piece deliver a fantastic statement of intent through their celebration of a multitude of styles as far-ranging from Ethiopian compositions to classic 60s soul and 70s funk.  And throughout their eight-track 'Moko Jumbie' project, A Plane To Catch strive to find the positivity - those rare glimmers of hope - from the difficulties continually engulfing the world.  An album created to uplift and inspire in spite of the extraordinary set of circumstances that resulted in the project's creation - the not-long-forgotten days of social distancing, quarantining, home schooling and excessive amounts of hand sanitizer that kept musicians outside of studios and stages until regulations deemed it safe to venture outside again.

But as challenging as that period was for millions around the world, the Danish quintet unveil 'Moko Jumbie' not to lament the losses of that period but to celebrate the very nature of resilience and the hope that followed.  Theirs is an album that conveys its message through high-energy, dance-floor catharsis looking to the unbridled joy of a post-quarantine era.

Comprised of saxophonist Andreas Toftemark, trumpeter Rolf Thofte, guitarist Mads Nørgaard, Anton Langebæk on bass and David Besiakov on drums, A Plane To Catch openly wear their influences on their sleeves with this album enthusiastically paying homage to a quintessential, groove-riddled, horn-heavy interpretation of funk and soul music.  Boasting a strong selection of diverse and versatile numbers, highlights come in the form of the Ethiopian-inspired, and aptly named, 'Ethiopiques', the somewhat understated 'Douche Boy', the low-key funk of 'Almost There' and the dare-you-to-sit-still nature of 'Shake Your B'.

Despite proving to be something of a departure for April Records - who have become perhaps best known for their commitment to contemporary jazz acts including sensational groups like Little North, Kosmos Trio and OTOOTO - A Plane To Catch still represent a brand of cutting edge and pioneering Danish acts which is undoubtedly April's overarching ethos.

'Moko Jumbie' is very much an album that is a product of the times it finds itself created within - although reminiscent of a tumultuous period, it will always be A Plane To Catch's goal to inspire listeners towards positive and uplifting experiences in spite of potential hardships.

'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows' by Creature.

'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows' marks the new EP release from the boundlessly talented drummer and producer, Creature. 

Netherlands-born and now London-based, Jim "Creature." Cornelissen has steadily been amassing a veritable treasure trove of new music releases dating back to 2019 and the single 'Hang On'.  Heavily impacted by a range of influences from contemporary jazz to a broken beat aesthetic and golden era hip-hop, the five tracks as presented on 'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows' are an incredibly inspired and somewhat unpredictable reflection of Creature.'s musical statement of intent - much like each of this project's predecessors. 

And each of this project's predecessors absolutely warrant equal waves of praise and plaudits.  A range of single releases inspired by London's very own electronica-tinged affections for jazz followed from 'Hang On' including 'Suddenly You Matter' and 'Heads Up' and the 8+ minute masterpiece that is 'Gifts of Time' featuring an excellent vocal from Kaia Vieira.  'All Now, For Good' masterfully pulled together the varying aspects comprising the Creature. vision for what was his first EP release demonstrating his abilities as a band leader and front man in his own right.

'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows' pushes the Creature. sound even further.  With improvisation making up a strong element of his compositions, Creature. seems to thrive not just in showcasing music that challenges the listener but also in showcasing music that challenges himself in its creation as well – seemingly relishing the opportunity with each go round to explore untapped sounds, genres and to blur borders all point to the creative freedom the drummer has strived for throughout his career.

With much of that associated - improvisational - energy masterfully captured by the artist and his team of collaborators throughout this release, the musicians seem to celebrate the luxury of the playground afforded to them for 'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows'.  With a band made up of Alex Wesson on keys, trumpet by Tim Quicke and JSPHYNX and long-time collaborator Daniel Collins on bass, there's a genuine cohesion between the players which really places them all on the same page despite the sheer eclecticism of the music.

The slow build of 'Against the Odds' marks a distinct project highlight as does the unbridled, off-kilter energy of 'Don't Sleep' and 'Tempest' that seem to revel within those aforementioned broken beat textures.  Rapper Trifon boasts scintillating chemistry with the players on 'Ay-Yo' while the sublime 'Memphis Grit' takes the album down new avenues once again with traces of 90's trip-hop rounding out the versatility of such a fantastic project.

There is the distinct sense that the wheels have already started to turn for Creature. and that his next project is perhaps already starting to take shape so play as much catch-up as you may need to with this and past releases as each of them introduce us to an incredible artist who continually delivers inspired projects befitting his indelible and visionary talents.

You can listen to 'Where This Body Goes, My Mind Flows' on Spotify or purchase through Bandcamp...

'Giant Stops' by Minus & MRDolly

'Giant Stops' marks the new release from the boundless talents of Hugo Oliveira, perhaps better known under his guise, Minus & MRDolly.

Throughout Oliveira's ever expanding catalogue of music releases, the Portugese producer and multi-instrumentalist has consistently plucked from a deep well of inspiration citing golden era hip-hop, sampling culture and jazz luminaries as focal points for his own projects over the years.  The glorious Pete Rock and Large Professor-inspired 'Man With A Plan' (2018) or the more eclectic and varied sounds of 'Broken Hearts Make Broken Beats' (2021) rank as two excellent examples of the versatility becoming synonymous with the name Minus & MRDolly.

For his latest offering, Oliveira - once again brandishing his heart on his sleeve - uses 'Giant Stops' as a means to examine the increasing impact that technology has on each of our lives as our inevitable reliance on it continues to permeate through to the facets of our day to day in fairly concerning ways.  The burgeoning ablities of AI within the arts seem to be geared towards the ultimate goal which is to create art... without the need for an actual artist.  Films now can capture the mannerisms, look and feel of actors since deceased, concerts revolving around holographic depictions of icons continue to grow in demand, while popular music is slowly starting to introduce AI-penned songs amongst its chart-toppers.

As a project, these are themes that weigh heavily throughout 'Giant Stops' as a variety of the album's ten tracks wrestle with such concepts in imaginative ways.  Even the album's compelling artwork strives to demonstrate the battle between the warring ideologies.  'Compteur de Tierces', 'Neon Green Grass' and 'Cimento Cosmos' serve as great examples of compositions born of live instrumentation that tease this general sense of electronic and digital foreboding that make for a riveting listen.  

The fantastic near eight-minute album centrepiece that is 'A Queda' runs the gamut of great production, awesome solos and an excellent vocal contribution from Luca Argel who ties the whole song together beautifully.  Conversely, another superb album highlight comes in the form of 'Entretanto' (featuring brilliant guest vocalist Meta_) which clocks in at just under three minutes and leaves you wishing it lasted for another three.  

Under the Minus & MRDolly moniker, Hugo Oliveira continually creates impassioned pieces of music that either pay homage to his heroes or serve as a statement of musical intent; 'Giant Stops' manages to achieve both tasks with the album title itself a derivative of the revered John Coltrane record 'Giant Steps' (1960).  Maybe the parallels drawn with Coltrane's record come down to both 'Giant Steps' and 'Giant Stops' both being unveiled at milestone moments for their respective careers, maybe it's down to the ambitious scope that each release sought to tackle, or maybe it is to serve as the statement that that the giant creative steps that art has sought to inspire within others now faces severe threat with the burgeoning technological advances.  Time will tell whether AI could ever deliver a masterpiece of the stature of a Coltrane recording but thanks to continued pioneering efforts of artists like Minus & MRDolly, we'll still find the joy in taking our own steps along unbeaten paths.

I-N-F-O-C-U-S ::: April Records

As part of our ongoing I-N-F-O-C-U-S record label series, May of this year saw us turn our attention to the music of April Records.

The independent, Copenhagen-based label have proved to be leading torch carriers for progressive Danish jazz and music born of similar inspirations.  Prominently showcasing a range of boundlessly talented contemporary artists, April Records continually forge ahead with some stunning releases growing in strength through a wonderfully diverse and eclectic roster embracing sounds from spiritual jazz to neo-soul and electronica.  Our I-N-F-O-C-U-S exclusive strived to celebrate that catalogue across a two hour excursion into some phenomenal music that we're proud to say you can revisit below.

The full tracklist for the episode:

'I Love You' by Tabloid

'Medley' by Emil de Waal

'Hurt You Once Again' by Kalaha

'Morning Vitamin' by Tigeroak

'You Should Know Me Better' by OTOOTO featuring Lucky Lo

'Passing Moments' by The Supreme Court featuring Al Agami

'Shoot' by A Plane to Catch

'The Diver' by Lis Wessberg

'Midnight Sun Upon Saltvaersoya' by Cecilie Strange

'Elna' by Little North

'Mother, Father' by Nana Rashid

'Leading Somewhere' by Gustaf Ljunggren & Skuli Sverrisson

'Revolution' by Alawari

'Desperate Times, Desperate Measures' by Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra

'Deva' by Kalaha

'Dissolving Parts' by OTOOTO

'Mother Tongue' by Andorra

'Place Unfound' by Human Being Human

'Boy' by Jesper Thorn

'Goodbye My Love' by Nana Rashid

'Sunes Hit' by Alawari

'Getting On Way' by Kasper Tranberg

'Brev Til En Ven' by Kosmos Trio