:n-the-m:x | September 2023 | blueingreenradio.com

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 future soul to electronica-twinged afrobeat and some brilliant left-of-centre jazz.

Music this month comes courtesy of...

'Company' by Abi Farrell

'Naima' by Leon Phal [Heavenly Sweetness]

'Rooms To Go' by Two Things of Gold [A.MA Records]

'Let Go' by Muito Kaballa featuring Reinel Bakole [Batov Records]

'The Rising Wave' by The Soul Sound Collective

'Little Steps' by KAU [sdban Records]

'Au Fonds des Boids' by LaNote [Laissedoudis Records]

'Better Views' by Klaverson [Beyond]

'Dolorous Interlude' by Richard Sears [Figureight]

'Joyful Noise' by Atlantis Jazz Ensemble [Marlow 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.

'Two Things of Gold' by Two Things of Gold

Marking a sensational return to the A.MA Records fold is singer and songwriter, Francesca Sortino, now serving as one-half of the Two Things of Gold duo alongside producer Diego Lombardo.

While the mother-son dynamic have now officially launched their collaborative project together, musically, they have been intertwined for some years.  Sortino's last recording for A.MA Records was the brilliant 'Be Free' album release as far back as 2017 which not only saw the label's official introduction to Sortino's indelible talents but also of the indelible talents of producer Lombardo who served as that album's producer.

'Be Free' still stands tall as an excellent project released within the hallowed walls of A.MA Records - bolstered by tracks including 'Good Girl', 'Life is Fine' and 'Let Your Soul Stand Cool', the Sortino-Lombardo combination birthed a quintessential neo-soul record with subtle nods to jazz and dusty hip-hop-inspired production.  But what were merely subtle nods in 'Be Free' have become more openly embraced as forming the backbone of 'Two Things of Gold' now reaching listeners six years later.

The album showcases some fantastic production throughout its fourteen tracks and, if possible, really exceeds the scope of its predecessor.  Spearheaded by the infectious groove of lead single 'Rooms To Go' - a track that wouldn't be too out of place to have Nicola Conte's name stamped all over the production - the album's diverse and versatile productions more openly embrace jazz, elements of future soul and downtempo electronica.  And creatively, these are shifts that Sortino has consistently embraced within her music - from the aforementioned 'Be Free' release to her more bossa-inspired 'INside ART' single releases with Gerardo Frisina, or even the soulful house-enriched sounds of Sortino guesting for Reekee on the brilliant 'Shared Love' single (Roots Underground Records).  It's Sortino's passion for music and desire to try new things creatively that makes Lombardo's sonic soundscapes such an exciting playground for the Italian vocalist.

Thanks to some fantastic musical performances from the album's core performers including Roberto Rossi (horns), Alessandro Maiorino (bass), Alberto Parmegiani (guitar) and Mauro Beggio (drums), highlights here are certainly aplenty.  The opening title track sets the scene for the album perfectly while the dreamy 'Malachi' is an essential pick.  'Rooms To Go' was cited earlier and the song's excellent accompanying video is really worth a look as well.  The spiritual jazz of 'Wind Blows' closes the album out perfectly once again calling to mind just how perfect a union the Sortino-Lombardo combination really is.

Despite the album's title, and group name, serving as an affectionate nod to each's discernible talents, it's nice to see the Robert Frost poem 'Nothing Gold Can Stay' receive a sly nod - a revered piece of work that pays homage to the fact that time invariably passes, nothing stays the same and we ultimately lose the things we love the most.  Conversely, that's the infinite power of art - while Robert Frost has since passed, his words will remain and be heralded by generations for decades to come.  And for Francesca Sortino & Diego Lombardo, theirs is yet another contribution to the arts that will remain long after their time has come. 

'The Cycle Repeats' by KAU

Amassing a slew of single, EP and full-length releases over a comparatively short time, the Belgian trio of KAU unveil their brand new album in 'The Cycle Repeats'.

Initially introducing listeners to their sound via 'Beat Tape, volume 1' (2020), band members André Breidlid (drums), Matteo Genovese (bass) and Jan Janzen (synths) quickly established a no-rules approach to their compositions.  Through their fusion of various musical elements into the project, the punchy and concise release kick-started KAU's plans for world domination with releases unveiled each year since 'Beat Tape' was introduced.

With the trio's immeasurable talents now recognised by the Belgian label, Sdban Records - who have themselves been delivering to an incredibly high standard this year with the recent release of John Ghost's 'Thin Air . Mirror Land' as well as the upcoming release from Azmari with 'Maelström'.  All artists that wave the flag for invaluable contributions to Belgian jazz and the kind of top tier talent that KAU now find themselves sharing the proverbial stage with.

As noted improvisers, much of that associated energy is masterfully captured by the KAU trio throughout this album. With compositions continuing in their now synonymous vein of joyful exploration, the musicians seem to celebrate the luxury of the playground afforded to them over the course of 'The Cycle Repeats' – the slow build of 'Alaska' marks a distinct album highlight as does the unbridled energy of 'Amulet' and 'Kautokeino' that revel in the openness and obvious nods to broken beat reinterpretations.  The sublime 'Little Steps' takes the album down new hip-hop-inspired avenues once again rounding out the versatility of such a fantastic project.

'The Cycle Repeats' is an album bursting with an abundance of ideas and inspirations and such is the skill of Breidlid, Genovese and Janzen that they make what looks like incredibly intricate and overly-strategized compositions appear like the most natural music-making process possible.  

Throughout the album's eight tracks, we're introduced to glorious sonic soundscapes that are Herbie Hancock-esque in their fusion-inspired scope subsequently allowing KAU the confidence to draw from their various influences, like their passion for hip-hop and spiritual jazz, before ushering in a broken beat aesthetic that is increasingly becoming a signature sound for the trio.

Perhaps above all else, KAU have once again delivered not just an outstanding project but one that serves as a thrilling interpretation of 21st century jazz and its limitless, all-encompassing and boundary-less possibilities.

'Layers' by Khalab

'Layers' marks the new album release for the immeasurably talented producer, musician and DJ, Khalab.  

With past album releases through Wonderwheel Recordings and Real World Records, it's Italy's Hyperjazz Records that now reaps the benefits of the artist's progressive and forward-thinking imagination.  As surmised on the Hyperjazz Bandcamp page: "Above usual routines, towards new heights and rituals" - words that convey the label's humility and sincerity when it comes to placing egos to one side and considering the music as paramount in the process.

Even spending just a few minutes in the company of Khalab's catalogue of music, you'll find that same level of sincerity and passion within everything the Italian artist turns his hand to.  Walking an incredibly fine line that typically finds Khalab mastering the perfect balancing act of creating music steeped within electronic foundations, boasting the sensibilities of spiritual jazz and spearheaded by African rhythms.  The predilection of Khalab's music with the over-arching Hyperjazz ethos are sentiments so intrinsically aligned that the union was bound to generate something special.

And with 'Layers', we genuinely are gifted with a project that is incredibly special.

The spirit of collaboration often serves as an integral component for Khalab's releases - whether that be via his celebrated series of album and EP projects alongside Malian percussionist, Baba Sissoko (Wonderwheel Recordings), or his 'M'berra' collaborative release with The M'berra Ensemble (Real World Records)... Khalab is seemingly at his best when surrounded with like-minded and deeply passionate artists that elevate him to higher plateaus, as he surely does for those around him as well.

'Layers' proves a wonderful next step in Khalab's quest to continually create and this album sees him usher in an A-list line-up of musicians and artists in which to bring his vision to reality.  The always sensational Yazz Ahmed, trumpet in hand, guests on the album's opening number, 'Drone Ra', while other premier UK-based talent like Tamar Osborn, Tenderlonious and Emanative are also featured amidst the collaborative dream team.  Italian drummer Tommaso Cappellato features on the sonic wonder that is 'Female Side' while Hyperjazz label-mate and saxophonist Pietro Santangelo features on a few of the album's tracks.  [Under the guise of his own quintet, we absolutely encourage you to check out Santangelo's fantastic PS5 album through Hyperjazz, 'Unconscious Collective'.]

The music across the nine-track album release is ingeniously produced and intricately composed creating a phenomenal sonic experience.  From the moody, late-night club setting of 'Conscious Friendship' to the somewhat jovial bounce of 'Acid Vaccine' and not forgetting the infectious rhythms of 'Romantic Loco'.  Brilliant.  

'Layers' marks a crowning achievement for Khalab and serves as a project that will long be held up as exemplary of his own skill and far-ranging musical ideologies.

'Moonlight Drive' by Jakob Dinesen/Anders Christensen/Laust Sonne

'Moonlight Drive' marks the sophomore album release from Danish trio Jakob Dinesen, Anders Christensen and Laust Sonne who unveil their transcendent new record through April Records.

The independent record label has long proved to be a veritable hub for innovative and progressive perspectives on contemporary Danish jazz.  Through the artists that comprise their dynamic roster, like the neo-soul-inspired Tigeroak, the heavenly noir jazz of Nana Rashid or the immersive global soundscapes of Kalaha, April Records projects are very much celebrations of Denmark's boundlessly talented artists and the phenomenal imagination that they bring to their music.

While certainly a label revered for ushering in new talent, April also holds the distinction for providing a home to artists who have amassed a wealth of experience and successes over the years.  Between them, Dinesen, Christensen and Sonne have played as key members of numerous ensembles and collectives across a wide array of genres, graced stages the world over and clocked up an immeasurable amount of accolades during that time as well.

Jakob Dinesen's lengthy career has seen the saxophonist thrive as a solo artist as well as amidst an extensive array of ensembles and projects that demonstrate his adeptness to flit from swing to bebop and beyond.  An impassioned artist and educator, Dinesen's work within the Sara Indrio & The Latin Collective is as varied as his more synonymous contributions to Once Around The Park and it's his versatility that cements Dinesen as a leading name within contemporary jazz.

'Moonlight Drive' serves as another project in a lengthy collaborative history that has paired Dinesen alongside the work of bassist, Anders Christensen.  Having collaborated together on a variety of projects, including Once Around The Park and Jakob Dinesen's Trio, the duo's lengthy friendship reaches a sensational culmination in 'Moonlight Drive'.  Again, with Christensen's tireless efforts within the industry having secured him the prestige of inclusion within collectives like Jakob Bro Trio and Hans Ulrik Group - as well as releases under his own trio formation - the bassist has ascended to one of Denmark's most distinguished players.

The 'Moonlight Drive' trio is rounded out by drummer Laust Sonne.  An artist as synonymous with his contributions to rock music as he is for jazz and an artist whose versatility is perhaps only outmatched by his flamboyancy.  With a slew of solo releases to his name and notable contributions to groups including Dear and D-A-D, Sonne proves an inspired inclusion for Dinesen-Christensen-Sonne trio.

The new release proves to be a fitting follow-up to 2021's 'Blessings'.  Recorded at The Village Recording, Denmark, over the course of two days in late-October 2022, the music is enchanting with some understated performances that really elevate the project as a complete piece of work.  With writing and compositions shared between the trio, highlights are abound from the gentle swing of 'Blue Ace' to the sublime performances of 'Yahya'.  The eight-minute title track delivers as a remarkable centrepiece for the album as the track veers from those moments of spirited and infectious energy to charming serenity.

'Moonlight Drive' delivers as a beautiful piece of work fully justifying its place amongst the catalogues of these revered masters of their craft.

'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' by LaNote

'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' marks the new album release from singer, songwriter and producer, Caroline Marks, better known as LaNote.

It's surprising to think that despite all the years LaNote has given to music, that her debut solo outing was only unveiled a mere two years ago - an eclectic and dynamic project entitled 'Rebirth' that served as an excellent introduction to the artist as a revered name in her own right.

Following her years as a member of the genre-defying and genre-defining Electric Conversation, LaNote was measured in her releases only seemingly creating when compelled by having something to say.  Collaborations with As Valet, Simon S and Deborah Jordan, amongst others, were elegant reminders of the brilliance she brought to the Electric Conversation dynamic and an excellent showcase for an inimitable vocal delivery that saw LaNote effortlessly breeze from sultry vocals to more intricate hip-hop-inspired wordplay.

As a hole, the Electric Conversation legacy has continued to permeate through into projects that LaNote, As Valet, Gus la Tempête and Oz (before his untimely passing) have gone on to create in the years since the group's official releases through Futuristica Music. 'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' excitingly continues the Electric Conversation lineage by finding a home on Laissedoudis Records - home to Gus la Tempête who is also credited for mixing duties on the album - with contributions from As Valet on the track 'Complete Expression' who is further credited for production on the album's 'Rebirth' predecessor.

'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' is very much LaNote's record though.  Helming the album's vocals, writing and production, the beat tape-inspired approach finds the artist very comfortable over intricate and immersive production that provides her space to veer the music into different realms.

Backed by a sensational video for 'Au fonds des boids', highlights on the album include the effervescent bounce of 'Bonjour Caroline', the sublime instrumental 'Pretty' and the erratic harmony of 'Witness of their End'.  The folk-esque 'SoundPearlSong' also marks as a nice change of pace for the album, again, demonstrating the artist's exciting and varied facets.

In many ways, 'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' serves as an excellent accompaniment to 'Rebirth', building masterfully upon much of the groundwork established through that release.  'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' finds LaNote still creative, still self-assured and, most of all, still with something to say.