Blue-in-Green:RADIO is a contemporary soul/funk/jazz/Latin internet radio station broadcasting an array of incredible shows from presenters and DJs from across the world.
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 50+ minute excursion from R&B and future soul to electronica-twinged afrobeat and some brilliant left-of-centre jazz.
Music this month comes courtesy of...
'Resilience [Jesse Fischer Remix] by Jesse Fischer
'Mess' by Hanna Sikasa
'Home' by Lehto featuring Jepka [Bathurst]
'Weh dem a do?' [Nikitch Remix] by TC & The Groove Family
'Wasting My Time' by MT Jones
'Danieda's Dance [Radio Edit] by Menagerie [Freestyle Records]
'Sweeping It Under The Rug' by Jesper Thorn
'Kuinka Kukaan' by Oiro Pena
'Borealis Dancing' by Jaimie Branch
'Sheep Party by Azmari
: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.
'Sequel' marks the new album release from German artist, Hanna Sikasa, who uses the opportunity to brilliantly build upon the groundwork as laid out by her 'Origin' debut release from 2019.
Credited throughout the project as singer, songwriter, musician and composer, Sikasa's boundless creativity and talents seem to know little restriction as she seems to relish the new challenges and opportunities when it comes to making music. While Sikasa's two releases to date appear separated by up to four years, the two albums share an intrinsic connection that sees 'Sequel' as a beautifully evolved project that takes the ideas and concepts from 'Origin' into inspired new directions.
Released independently in 2019, Sikasa's eleven-track album was very much a statement of intent that introduced her innovative perspective to new listeners. With a sound rooted in jazz, Sikasa proved adept at steering her music into neighbouring realms like neo-soul exuding charm and personality in the process. The release of 'Sequel' affords Sikasa the chance to not only develop upon specific songs from its predecessor - like 'Stars Are Still', 'Two' and 'Bird' - but usher in incredible new songs for the companion piece.
'Beautiful Jungle' serves as a perfect example to surmise a natural evolution for Sikasa as well as the song itself. With the original 'Origin' iteration of the song already a sublime gem, this year's updated version presents a far more rich and immersive musical arrangement that is just exquisite. Conversely, 'Mess' - as one of the album's new compositions - also succeeds as a fantastic addition and a scene-stealing number in its own right: With the song's first part indicative of the soul-drenched aesthetic of tracks on 'Sequel', the song ultimately transitions into a brilliant and entirely new arrangement that sees all elements working together to create a driving and enthralling second half.
While certainly backed by a brilliant band throughout the album (including excellent work from trumpeter Christoph Braun), the inclusion of Augsburg's Leopold Mozart Quartet adds fascinating and intricate dimensions to the music that help to create something genuinely special.
'Sequel' delivers as an inspired (re)introduction of Hanna Sikasa as an immeasurably talented artist. A project that has proved to be a real labour of love, 'Sequel' revels in compelling songwriting, sincere vocals, masterful production and an engaging imagination.
It feels like a while since we prepped one of these 5 Songs About... lists so we thought we'd introduce a brief covers series looking at some inspired cover versions from the catalogues of our heroes. Who better to kick this off with than the music of the inimitable Stevie Wonder - surely one of the most covered, remixed and sampled artists of all time, we've picked five gems from artists keen to pay appropriate tribute to one of soul music's revered icons...
1. 'Creepin' by Jessie Fischer featuring Jaime Woods (2018)
With several Stevie Wonder covers under his belt - including renditions of 'I Can't Help' and 'My Cherie Amour' - Jessie Fischer delivers a wonderful take on 'Creepin' from Wonder's 1974 album, 'Fulfillingness' First Finale'. Housed on Fischer's covers project 'Flipped II', which also includes covers of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, the track features an excellent vocal contribution from Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, Jaime Woods.
2. 'Uptight' by Dojo Cuts (2009)
The Sydney-based funk & soul collective Dojo Cuts unveiled a definitive classic with their self-titled debut release through Italy's Record Kicks. To be fair, the group's follow-up 'Take From Me' was every bit the masterpiece this one was but the band's cover of Wonder's 'Uptight' from the debut is what we're focusing on here. As one of the leading voices from the class of contemporary soul music from any corner of the world, the fantastic Roxie Ray consistently injects so much charisma and personality into her performances that she totally makes this track her own. And with the rich and raw performances of the brilliant Dojo Cuts backing, this is a cover everyone should own.
3. 'Knocks Me Off My Feet' by Big Beat Big Band (2020)
From the debut project by the New Jersey-based, nineteen-member ensemble known as the Big Beat Big Band, this take on what is likely the definitive Stevie Wonder song is sublime and understated until the collective build to a blissful crescendo in the song's latter half. From the band's aptly-titled 'Sounds Good, Feels Good' full-length, the project also includes covers of music from the Jackson 5 and Jill Scott, all sung beautifully by vocalist Allison McKenzie and performed flawlessly by the masterful performers.
4. 'All I Do' by Julius Rodriguez featuring Mariah Cameron (2022)
Penned by Stevie Wonder and released on his 'Hotter Than July' album in 1980, this is a song that has seen its fair share of covers from the northern soul classic by Tammi Terrell to the late-90s/early-00s R&B interpretation of vocalist Marc Dorsey. For this stunning take on the track, we have the prodigal talents of pianist, drummer and composer Julius Rodriguez with a track from his Verve Recordings debut, 'Let Sound Tell All', and featuring a glorious vocal from Mariah Cameron which will certainly rank as high as any rendition of this song you could compare it to.
5. 'If You Really Love Me' by The M19s Band (2020)
Helmed by legendary DJs and broadcasters, Stretch & Bobbito, the album 'No Requests' was created to pay due reverence to their years within the industry and homage to some of their most influential artists and records from deep within their crates. Serving as another cherished Stevie Wonder recording - originally released in 1971 as a single from 'Where I'm Coming From' - The M19s Band flit through the ten track selection for 'No Requests' performing them with sensational energy, skill and some incredible vocal performances.
It's incredible to think that Jesse Fischer's 'Resilience' album was initially released as far back as August 2020. A sensational entry into the ever-expanding and dynamic Fischer catalogue, the star-studded release delivered as one of the finest full-lengths bearing the revered name of the Brooklyn-based musician, producer and engineer.
Across the album's nine songs, the release featured some fantastic performances from Fischer on piano and Rhodes, and backed by an incredible band comprising of long-time collaborators including trumpeter Billy Buss, Godwin Louis on sax, David Cutler on bass and guitarist Jordan Peters. And with the further assistance of world class guests like Christian Scott, Becca Stevens, Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Grégoire Maret, Fischer's far-reaching vision across the broad scope of jazz reached another milestone in the artist's ongoing musical journey.
Despite initially being hindered by a certain global pandemic, 'Resilience' was able to take to the stages again and reconnect with enthusiastic live audiences, ultimately securing itself a three-date European tour with Fischer & company gracing stages in London, Paris and Munich in April 2022.
'Resilience (Recharged)' now serves as another entry into the 'Resilience' project presenting a four-track EP with songs from the 2020 album lovingly remixed and reconceptualised and featuring inspired new perspectives. Fischer himself tackles the title track transforming the Christian Scott-assisted original into what Fischer himself aptly described as a showcase for "analog synths and vintage 90's drum machines". The remix is a brilliant transformation of the original track and one that demonstrated the range of abilities and techniques at Fischer's disposal.
Usually one to get behind the boards himself for a range of artists and musicians - having helmed a notable array of remixes for artists including Melanie Charles, Bryony Jarman-Pinto and Space Captain - Fischer finds himself in the more unfamiliar situation of having his own work offered up to reinterpretations by others.
And it's an excellent trio of names, outside his own, that are enlisted for remix duties for the new EP in Javier Santiago, Jessi Lee and Tomoki Sanders...
Pianist and like-minded musician and composer, Javier Santiago, takes the elegance of 'The Wanderer' and presents the track through a diverse and vibrant lens incorporating subtle twinges of electronica around the original track's core performance. Saxophonist and composer Tomoki Sanders finds a way to inject even more life in the already bouncy 'Play Date' while the full range of Jessi Lee's immeasurable talents are on display in her take on 'Meditation on Peace' which features the benefit of her delectable vocal over the more immersive sonic backdrop.
The 'Resilience' project proves to be the gift that keeps on giving and as even more facets to Fischer's 2020 original are unveiled, we're continually encouraged to return to the original release and appreciating it for the masterpiece that it is.
Welcome to Episode #128 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with saxophonist, writer and composer, Sam Newbould.
We last had the opportunity to catch up with Sam back in episode #78 following the release of his stunning sophomore album, 'Bogus Notus' (ZenneZ Records, 2021) - a project that took a distinctly innovative approach to his years growing up in the Yorkshire Dales. With a third outing for his fantastic quintet due in 2024, the Amsterdam-based artist is gearing up for an incredibly busy summer that has already seen him chalk up a rousing performance at this year's Love Supreme festival and sees him gearing up for a seven-day UK tour starting in Manchester and culminating in Nottingham.
If you're UK based and hold a penchant for sublime live jazz, then check out the dates and locations below:
DATES
18th September - Band on the Wall, Manchester
19th September - Jazz at the Spotted Dog, Birmingham
20th September - Jazz at HEART, Leeds
21st September - The Ropewalk, Hull
22nd September - The Bear Club, Luton
23rd September - The Vortex, London
24th September - Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham
This episode sees Sam look back at 'Bogus Notus', look ahead to album #3, discuss a manic summer of touring along with a vast array of topics including having to navigate today's digital and social media realms, the burgeoning impact of AI and the challenges of being honest when it comes to your own creativity.
