'All Aboard Vol.1 Departures' by Itai Kriss & Telavana

Itai Kriss unveils his new album release 'All Aboard Vol.1 Departures' through his new label home of Avenue K Records.

New music from Itai Kriss is always shrouded with excitement, particularly from long-standing listeners of his music releases to date.  The flautist, composer and band leader has become renowned for his fusion of seemingly disparate and disconnected musical genres and styles, subsequently creating something gloriously harmonious and distinctly a style of his own.

The New York-based artist has cultivated an extensive career as a key contributor to a selection of jazz, Afro-Cuban, Latin and salsa collectives including Pedrito Martinez, Orquesta Akokan and Avishai Cohen, as well as boasting a series of his own album releases cementing his talents as a revered solo artist in his own right.  Through past albums 'The Shark' (2010), 'Telavana' (2018) and 'Supermoon' (2021), Kriss' quintessentially broad musical palette has created vibrant musical soundscapes resulting in a concoction of Arabic textures, sweet soul and spirited Latin stylings.

Beyond the generous and free-flowing nature of Kriss' compositions, much of his music is about building connections whether that be musical connections, connections that roots us to our community or even to the larger world around us.  Kriss' previous album, 'Supermoon', sought to explore connections within a more intercosmic context by lovingly continuing jazz's long lineage with space exploration as popularized by the iconic works of Sun Ra.  The sensational album demonstrated the vast scope afforded to Kriss through his music seemingly limited only by his own imagination. 

'All Aboard Vol.1 Departures' once again develops that theme of connections but this time opts to narrow the project's focus a little more by restricting its range to our own atmosphere.  Serving as Kriss' fourth album release, the project examines the concept of travel and journeys, "both physical and spiritual".  Having himself uprooted to New York from Israel, the album seeks to extoll the virtues of an open-minded perception to different cultures which has certainly proved to be the long-running aesthetic that has consistently permeated through to Kriss' music with each album released.  

While there's no denying the technological achievements we have in being able to communicate with a person on the other side of the world with the same ease as someone 10 feet away, it's a vastly different experience than being able to immerse yourself within another culture altogether including their food, their language or their perspectives on the world.  With indelible assistance from the outstanding Telavana collective, 'All Aboard' embraces a variety of musical excursions throughout the record with notable detours through Morocco, Egypt and Paris.

'All Aboard' is a sensational album continuing in the vein of Itai Kriss releases that strive to both unite and inspire.  It's wonderful music and when born of such genuine sincerity, has the ability to make those connections with enthusiastic listeners be them on the other side of the world or just 10 feet away.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #135: Ciara Moser

Welcome to Episode #135 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Boston-based bassist, composer, band leader and educator, Ciara Moser.

With the release of her debut solo offering in 'Blind. So What?', Moser firmly establishes her inspired perception of contemporary jazz-funk and jazz-fusion for her music going forward.  But more than solely serving as a project that is exemplary for its bold and creative compositions and songwriting, the album also seeks to provide insight through a first-hand account of life as a blind musician.  Across the album's twelve tracks, Moser imaginatively explores these themes, and recounts from her own experiences, outlining issues pertaining to trust, spatial distance and memory.  Mosers' is an impassioned stance and one that she's committed to having people connect with - Moser's journey is further documented through her podcast series, which shares the same name as the album, and strives to provide understanding of blindness as a condition and not a hindrance.

As a highly-educated and highly-decorated artist, Moser's inumerable successes to date continue to inspire and serve as the framework for even greater achievements in time to come.  We were thrilled to have secured time with Ciara to discuss the transition to band leader for this project, her desire to bring more awareness for the blind musical community and we delve into everything that went into the making of 'Blind. So What?'.

For more details on Ciara, please visit her website below:

https://www.ciara-moser.com/

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#134_Ciara Moser

New music round-UP ::: May 2024

'Oceans' by Chiminyo

From the imagination of drummer and percussionist Tim Doyle, the "Chiminyo" cape is flung over the shoulders once more for the release of the standalone single 'Oceans'.  Not too far removed from the 'NRG 2' release from late-last year and with the promise of more releases over the coming months, this synthpop gem serves as another outstanding reminder of Doyle's boundless versatility.  It's not as if further reminders were really even necessary - outside of the Chiminyo project, Doyle continues to lap up praise and plaudits following his sensational Uniri and Cykada releases through Astigmatic Records as well as continuing to chalk up touring and collaboration duties for an elite selection of UK jazz talent.  Continuing to run the gamut of Chiminyo's electronica-themed recordings to Maisha's rousing spiritual jazz performances, Doyle continues to deliver as a supreme London-based talent.

'Taking Off' by Leona Berlin

The always sensational Leona Berlin returns with her first single of the year, hopefully as a pre-cursor for much more to come.  With two full-length albums to her name, along with a clutch of standalone singles, remixes and collaborations, Berlin's Bandcamp page continues to deliver as the hub of her musical gems.  A genuinely essential voice for contemporary R&B and neo-soul, Berlin's sincere and impassioned music always results in an annual highlight which proves to be the case once again for latest single 'Taking Off'.  The cosmic-disco-inspired track finds Berlin suitably at home as her typically excellent vocal finds itself firmly at home on the uptempo number.

'Love Will Come Around' by Resolution 88 featuring Vanessa Haynes

The brilliant jazz-funk collective return with an excellent track in continued anticipation for their upcoming album release.  'Vortex', which will be revealed as the band's fourth album to date, is already proving to set expectations high following the album's two enthralling singles unveiled thus far in 'Final Approach' and now with 'Love Will Come Around'.  Showcasing a mildly more focused sound than the typically energetic jazz-funk - and not forgetting the elegant twinges of broken beat - that we normally associate with Resolution 88, it's a change of pace that looks set to deliver an outstanding album within the quartet's catalogue.  Not really renowned for their vocal contributions, 'Love Will Come Around' has the added bonus of featuring leading UK vocalist Vanessa Haynes who sounds incredible over the band's luxurious soundscape.

'Fragile' by Blackadder featuring Rea

The release of 'Fragile' marks a very welcome return for producer and musician Ben Blackadder who once again partners with singer and songwriter Rebecca Armstrong (Rea).  The duo's previous collaboration - for the debut Blackadder single 'Near' - was a notably sublime affair and still ranks incredibly highly within the catalogue of David Hanke's Bathurst label.  The lush production and terrific vocals are again revisited for current single 'Fragile' which for this go-round opts to inject a splash more dancefloor-friendly energy into the composition while retaining its enviable organic characteristics.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #134: Benjamin Samuels

Welcome to Episode #134 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Sydney-based saxophonist Benjamin Samuels.

With the release of his debut solo offering in 'Dissensation', Samuels firmly asserts himself amongst a really fascinating crop of Australian musicians keen to present inspired and broad perspectives to jazz.  Artists like Godtet, Horatio Luna and David Versace are becoming renown for their effortless ability to regard jazz as a lawless entity, free to be adapted and representative of contemporary styles and trends.  As a seasoned performer, Samuels regards the genre in the same loving context, creating a record in 'Dissensation' that thrives off of its inspirations and influences.  Having performed and toured alongside the dynamic off-beat electronica of Grouch in Dub, the tribal drum'n'bass of Seb Taylor and the global musical perspectives of Balkan Bump, Samuels has clearly relished in these experiences and fuses them all, along with so much more, into 'Dissensation' - his own perfect vision of contemporary jazz.

We were thrilled to have secured time with Benjamin to discuss the transition to band leader for his project, the Australian music scene, music in a post-quarantine time, what makes jazz jazz and of course, we explore everything that went into the making of 'Dissensation'.

To explore Benjamin's releases further and to check out the new 'Dissensation', please visit the Bandcamp page below: https://benjaminsamuels.bandcamp.com/album/dissensation

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#134_Benjamin Samuels

New Jazz Round-Up

'Live in Turku' by Dawda Jobarteh and Stefan Pasborg

'Live in Turku' marks the wonderful live chronicle of friends and collaborators, Dawda Jobarteh and Stefan Pasborg, whose two-man project found a delightful setting within the revered confines of Turku, Finland's Flame Jazz live music venue.  For kora player Jobarteh and drummer Pasborg, their combined musical journey was initially unveiled back in 2016 through their collaborative and aptly-titled album, 'DUO'; despite the lengthy wait, 'Live in Turku' marks a riveting extension to that release by capturing their inspired chemistry within a live setting.  Musically, the performance pays tribute to West African tradition and rhythms while still embracing the free-flowing improvisational qualities and imagination associated with live jazz.  Across the seven-track project, there are some sensational moments of eclectic, hi-energy performance that can make you forget the stage is populated by just two incredible artists and not created by a full band. 

'Path' by Mathias Landæus

Swedish pianist Mathias Landæus holds the proud distinction of helming over twenty albums as a bandleader along with boasting an even lengthier list of projects that have recruited his exquisite skills over the years.  Through his new album 'Path', Landæus recruits the members of his heralded Landæus Trio (Cornelia Nilsson on drums and Johnny Åman on double bass) along with saxophonist Karl-Martin Almqvist and celebrated trumpeter Tim Hagans for a sensational piece of work exploring creative freedoms, open improvisation and spirited interplay between its world-class cast.  With nothing short of sublime performances throughout the album, compositions embracing the 'mind', 'body' and 'spirit' punctuate an exceptional release that strives to paint the picture and make-up of the paths we all walk in our lives.  Landæus's album acknowledges that each of us leave footprints from our day-to-day as a result of the lives we live and the decisions we make and it's an eternal quest we each face to keep us on the straight and narrow ensuring our footprints are ones people would one day wish to follow.

'Romann' by Filip Dinev

'Romann' marks the new album release from guitarist and composer Filip Dinev who enlists Tilman Oberbeck on upright bass and Jan Zeimetz on drums to round out his new trio.  Of Macedonian descent and based in Hamburg, Germany, Dinev's take on contemporary jazz beams with inspirations ranging from Balkan to blues and classical music making his seven-track release an immensely enjoyable experience.  Featuring six original compositions from the pen of Dinev himself, along with an imaginative seven-minute interpretation of the Beatles' 'Blackbird', Dinev and his new trio pace their music elegantly making each listener feel like a welcome and invited guest on the musical journey that is 'Romann'.  Boasting a selection of fantastic tracks, including the brilliant, personality-driven 'Should Be Easy', Dinev, Oberbeck and Zeimetz present some fascinating music and a worthy successor to Dinev's previous 'Szvetlo' release from back in 2020.

'Better' by Tomasz Dąbrowski & The Individual Beings

Two years following their debut, self-titled release through Denmark's April Records, Tomasz Dąbrowski & The Individual Beings return with a compelling new project that provides a fascinating new context to their last outing.  While the group's previous full-length sought to pay their respects and express their affections for a Polish icon in Tomasz Stańko, 'Better' turns its attentions from looking to the past to looking much further into the future.  With compositions that herald The Individual Beings and their glimmering chemistry together, the music is further enhanced by Dąbrowski's penchant for a touch of the electronica subtly introduced into the music allowing captivating new dimensions and a definitively progressive take on jazz and its future.  Comprised of an all-star ensemble, including fellow April Records label mate, saxophonist Fredrik Lundin, trumpeter Dąbrowski leads the charge with poise and inventiveness over the album's nine tracks that intuitively relish the moments of passive tranquility in contrast to the rawkus, but joyous, frenzy some of the tracks revel within.

'Creole Lightening EP vol​.​1' by Queen Ci

With three releases in the space of five months, Oioji Records have made a sensational introduction to audiences through three distinct and wholly unique projects in a comparatively short space of time.

Established by Parisian DJ, producer and artist in his own right, As Valet has always displayed a clear musical vision whether that be for his own releases or when he dons his producer hat for the range of artists he's stepped behind the boards for.

As a founding member of the Futuristica four-piece, Electric Conversation were no strangers to pushing the envelope with a perspective of left-of-centre neo-soul that still resonates as innovative nearly twenty years later.  Through his run of solo releases for Futuristica and A Night on Canopy, As Valet's projects have become music explorations of their own with these explorations delving into everything from hip-hop production to cultural identity.  Releases from Oioji seek to maintain that high standard of intricate imagination and storytelling.

Through a release we covered late last year, As Valet's sublime nu-soul pairing with vocalist So-Li, 'Way Out', marked the first official introduction to Oioji; From there, we had the pairing of long-time friends As Valet with Dusty from Jazz Liberatorz for the Jaylib-esque 'Cloud Over Frequency Vol.1' which saw the duo tackle tracks by notable hip-hop luminaries including Mobb Deep and J-Cole  compiling a thirteen-track remix project and showcasing their penchant for dusty, jazz-inspired and golden era production.

Which brings us to the third release for Oioji arriving in the form of a sensational project from the La Martinique-born and multi-faceted artist, Queen Ci.  'Creole Lightening EP vol​.​1' serves as a loving tribute to Creole icon, Cécile Jean-Louis.  Perhaps better known by her stage name, Moune de Rivel, the boundlessly talented artist saw her excel as a singer, songwriter, musician, artist and actress and subsequently heralded as a beacon of inspiration for both her culture and her gender.

Queen Ci's affections find an inspired outlet through a distinctive and luxurious soulful house aesthetic.  The EP showcases Ci's wonderful attention to detail through a glorious fusion of various textures over the course of the project's five tracks.  With the songs both intimate and dancefloor-friendly, Queen Ci's 'Creole Lightening EP vol​.​1' builds wonderfully from past Oioji releases and further adds to a burgeoning catalogue of incredible music.

'Monsieur MÂLÂ' by Monsieur MÂLÂ

With two EPs under their belt already, the Parisian quintet Monsieur MÂLÂ release their debut full-length project serving as another testament to their continuing adventures in contemporary jazz.

Projects by Monsieur MÂLÂ have consistently been warmly received since their debut single 'Misemo' was unveiled to the world in 2020.  A bold statement of intent right at the outset as the band not only sought to convey their affections for embracing the here & now without fear of insecurities or self-doubt, but also sought to musically express their penchant for an all-inclusive and genre fluid aesthetic that would defy musical boundaries.

At a little under four minutes, 'Misemo' had delivered its message which was subsequently embraced and went on to set the standard for Monsieur MÂLÂ going forward.

Comprised of Swaéli Mbappé on bass, Yoann Danier on drums, Nicholas Vella on keys, Balthazar Naturel on saxophone and Robin Antunes on violin and mandolin, Monsieur MÂLÂ features dynamic and versatile musicians with an impressive roll call of past collaborators including China Moses, Mayra Andrade and Ibrahim Maalouf to name a few.

Through the release of EPs 'EP-001-MM' (2021) and 'EP-002-MM' (2022) and now to the release of their self-titled debut album, Monsieur MÂLÂ's music continued to cultivate their thrilling interpretation of contemporary jazz as a genre that thrived equally by relying on influences from neo-soul to pop and hip-hop.

The album's opening number, 'Storyteller', provides fascinating context to much of the band's inspirations and motivations.  Over the course of the track's seven minutes, the spoken word portions of the song almost seek to reintroduce Monsieur MÂLÂ, much in the way that 'Misemo' sought to do four years ago, issuing a new mission statement for this stage of their career...

"I am one body with many voices... My name is Monsieur MÂLÂ, I am a storyteller."

'al Fayhaa' explores more Middle Eastern inspirations in explosive style while tracks like 'Fly Fly' and 'Carnaval' continue to capture the quintet's unbridled energy through imaginative performances and composition.  'Ai De Mim', featuring a sublime vocal from EU. CLIDES, demonstrates the band's more restrained and understated performance that continue to showcase MÂLÂ's multi-faceted approach to their music.

The album delivers as an excellent (re)introduction to Monsieur MÂLÂ and continues to demonstrate their unlimited potential.

'Octave Up' by Shljuka Quintet

Embracing the opportunity to revive his Shljuka moniker, pianist Aleksandar Jovanovic releases his new album 'Octave Up' also marking his first for new label home in Italy's A.MA Records.

Jovanovic has long had his roots firmly embedded within Serbia's thriving jazz scene.  A seasoned recording artist, collaborator and performer, Jovanovic brings a wealth of experience to the table, along with a passion to pay due respects to Serbia's jazz lineage. 

While certainly one to wave the flag for Serbia's past luminaries, being an artist in his position, Jovanovic fully understands the responsibility to do so while still finding ways to push himself, the genre and those around him forward. 

Having secured his first prominent position within the Alegorian Jazz band in 1999, Jovanovic's career has been littered with an extensive list of ensembles ranging from his first trio as part of the Woodcock Group in 2009 to the Serbian Jazz BRE! project, Coolares and Napeti Quintet amongst others.  Jovanovic's Shlujka moniker was initially introduced back in 2017 through the album 'Iluzija' (Lampshade Media) - a project that demonstrated a new dimension to the pianist's music allowing his vocals to come to the forefront.  With the multitude of projects Jovanovic seems to continually cultivate, a different level of expectation must surely come with revisiting Shlujka seven years later.

The 2024 iteration of the quintet sees Jovanovic's piano paired with trumpeter and fellow A.MA recording artist Ivan Radivojevic (see his excellent 'In Plain View' album release from 2022), saxophonist Rastko Obradovic, bassist Milan Pavkovic and drummer Aleksandar Cvetkovic.  With Cvetkovic the only returning member from the inaugural Shljuka project, the other notable change here is that Jovanovic opts not to present his vocal as a focal point for 'Octave Up'; while 'Iluzija' was able to boast a distinct charm and personality with the multi-faceted artist now tackling the role of lead vocalist, 'Octave Up' instead offers listeners the opportunity to reconnect with the unbridled parts of Jovanovic's performance that brought him to global stages.

As a pianist, Aleksandar has little else to prove - having asserted himself as a dynamic and versatile musician, it's exciting projects like these that afford artists that scope to reconnect with, or even reinvent, themselves.  Jovanovic, as well as each member of the quintet of course, perform beautifully across the album's eight tracks showcasing a selection of exquisite compositions that range from introspective gems to vibrant and rousing pieces.

Aleksandar Jovanovic has always made such an exceptional job at revelling in the varying facets of his own musicality and there's certainly something inherently special about him putting on the "Shlujka" hat.  An inspired introduction to the hallowed walls of A.MA Records.

'Lord Knows EP' by Lord Knows

Australia has certainly never lacked for musical talent - with such an array of contemporary soul artists and progressive takes on jazz, names like Mayfield, Benjamin Samuels, The Traffic, Kyoshi and Emma Donovan & The PutBacks have managed to create some stunning projects over the years and cement their distinct perspectives on a continually thriving musical scene.

With Melbourne proving to be a particularly impassioned hot bed of creativity, the Mandarin Dreams label has laid claim to some ingenious recordings over the years.  From the beat tape inspired 'Ahten-Love Transmission' by the Ahten Arkestra to the alternative neo-soul meets nu jazz aesthetic of Kuzichi Zambelan or the impassioned psychedelia of Raw Humps and their 'Sugar Slave Babies' debut.

Mandarin Dreams releases may be sparse but each one adds scintillating layers to the label's legacy of uncovering stellar Australian talent.  The label's latest entry into their burgeoning catalogue - and in truth an album that proves to be somewhat of a revelation for Mandarin Dreams - comes from the seven-piece ensemble Lord Knows who unveil their debut self-titled EP release.  An immaculate release that, once again, places Melbourne-based talent (specifically Naarm-based talent) into prominence.

As children of the beloved Soulquarian generation, Lord Knows have cultivated an exalted six-track project paying loving homage to the foundations as laid by neo-soul luminaries including D'Angelo, Questlove, Jay Dee and Erykah Badu; theirs is certainly a musical soundscape whose importance can't be over-stated and whose releases have gone on to shape subsequent generations of hip-hop-inspired soul music.  Beautifully performed, brilliantly produced... Lord Knows' vision is brought to life by Brandon Delord's elegant vocal that is afforded the luxury of a sublime musical backdrop.  While a stunning interpretation of neo-soul stylings, the EP delicately features a range of intricacies and subtle nods to varying musical facets that bring so much to the project's overall sound.  

Lord Knows approach this release with admirable confidence - exquisite performances, lush vocals and writing, they're a band who know exactly who they are and what they are striving to accomplish with their music.  The collective really do showcase a thrilling dynamic boasting enough of their own creativity, unique facets and over-arching vision to warrant their name mentioned amongst the litany of sensational Melbourne collectives.

:n-the-m:x | April 2024

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 sublime soul to scintillating jazz and lo-fi dance numbers.

Music this month comes courtesy of... 

'Worlds Within' by The Golden Shadow (Bathurst)

'Final Approach' by Resolution 88 (Synthethesia)

'Anywhere You Wanna Go' by Lord Knows (Mandarin Dreams)

'Maya' [As Valet Remix] by Rapsody (Oioji Records)

'Baby' by Art Test (Folded Music)

'Bedlam Blues' by MeShell Ndegeocello (Red Hot Org)

'Moods Change' by Caytra (Bridge The Gap)

'Glaciem' by Cort Lund

'Silhouette' (Radio Edit) by Jake Long (New Soil)

: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.