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Monday, 29 July 2024

:n-the-m:x | July 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 42 minute excursion from eclectic R&B to some left-field jazz and lush electronica selections.


Music this month comes courtesy of...


'Impeach the Olympics pt1' by The Supertights featuring Lisa Melissa (Q-Sounds Recordings)

'Love Child' by Koko-Jean & The Tonics (Buenritmo)

'Overjoyed' by Katrin-Merili

'David' by Allysha Joy (First Word Records)

'Chaser' by Will Eason, Felix Hien & Gabe Costa

'Bolo' by Raffy Bushman (Bridge the Gap)

'Haru' by Ari Tsugi featuring Liam Shortall (Rebecca's Records)

'Proof' by Space Travelers Union (Most Least)

'Hidden Hatchway' by Little Trooper (Bathurst)

'Dust' by Blackadder


: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.


Wednesday, 24 July 2024

Inspiration/Information ::: Episodes #4 & #5


We continue to be very excited about partnership with Jason Charles’ NYC-based podcast network and the treasures that our Inspiration Information series has managed to unearth.  Through conversations with some immeasurably talented singers, musicians, DJs and all-round creatives - over the course of a three-question format - we unpack our guest’s musical fandom and explore those influences as fans and artists in their own right.


EPISODE 4: CALIFORNIA-BASED ARTIST AND MUSICIAN, EKI SHOLA

Episode 4 of Inspiration/Information finds us in the wonderful company of California-based artist and musician, Eki Shola.  Currently promoting the release of her fifth sensational album, Shola’s boundless talents as a writer, composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist are on full display for ‘還 (Kaeru)’ as she fully immerses herself within a riveting Japanese aesthetic.  Having grown up in a musical family, pursuing the passion may very well have always been in Shola’s destiny in some form or another.  Through the bold strides she has taken throughout her career to date, Eki continues her family’s legacy taking it to inspirational new heights.  Through our typical 3 question presentation, we’re so thrilled to have secured time with Eki Shola to delve into her first musical hero, the song she wishes she had written and whether the music industry is harder to break into within today’s climate.



EPISODE 5: DRUMMER/FOUNDER OF BRIGHT DOG RED, JOE PIGNATO

Episode 5 of Inspiration/Information finds Imran in conversation with New York-based drummer, producer and founder of the pioneering improvisational collective Bright Dog Red, Joe Pignato.  Having now released seven albums with the revered Ropeadope Records, we catch up with Joe to discuss the band's latest releases, Bright Dog Red's successes to date and the joys of improvised jazz.  More pertinently to these episodes however, we pitch our revolving three questions to our guest in a bid to unpack their own musical fandom so, for this episode, we ask Joe about the first album he remembers purchasing, the artist he never got to see perform live but wishes he had, plus we ask Joe what the future of music holds.



The complete catalogue of Inspiration/Information episodes - exclusive to jasoncharles.net - can be found by clicking here: https://jasoncharles.net/show/inspiration-information/

Friday, 19 July 2024

'Culture Today' by Edy Forey



'Culture Today' marks the debut full-length release from Edinburgh-based due Edy Forey whose neo-soul-meets-jazz fusion unveils an excellent official introduction.


There's something very endearing about 'Culture Today' that presents its music, its message and its creators as just trying to find their place in the world.  While the album can sometimes offer a harsh slice of social commentary, the music's underlying message serves to celebrate the wonders of creativity and the boldness of standing out from the crowd.  'Culture Today' ultimately lives and dies on these principles and with the sincerity that message is ultimately delivered.  


Plus, it's a message delivered in exquisite fashion.  Through elegant performances, vibrant production and an awesome vocal, 'Culture Today' further stands as the duo's statement of intent for their imaginative perspective on music.  Mixed and mastered by the revered Bob Power (responsible for all the studio machinations for D'Angelo's 'Brown Sugar' amongst a litany of genre defining projects), a sensational roll call of artists are recruited for tracks including Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso and Snarky Puppy founder Michael League.


Theirs has proved to be something of a serendipitous pairing with singer-songwriter Edy Szewy having moved to Edinburgh from her native Poland and pianist Guilhem Forey similarly from Paris, the duo were able to find common ground through each of their unwavering passions for music.  Ultimately coming to the table from vastly different musical backgrounds with Szewy a self-taught vocalist and producer predominately influenced by neo-soul, R&B and hip-hop, and Forey a learned and devoted jazz enthusiast; their combined efforts skilfully present a sensational sonic palette that pays due praise to each's musical affections.


Across the album's eleven tracks, we're treated to an array of styles that very much showcase the best that Szewy and Forey have to offer - as exceptionally talented individuals and as a cohesive musical unit.  Tracks like 'The Fire', 'Nature Boy' and 'Take Your Time' are exemplary of the album's eclectic scope but the ambition present in the twelve-minute magnum opus 'Your Soul' certainly warrants special mention as well. 


'Culture Today' marks a wonderful debut for Edy Forey and an album that will pave the way for insurmountable successes to come.

Monday, 15 July 2024

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #137: Andy Stockton (of Dragon Trax Records)



Welcome to Episode #137 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Sheffield-based DJ, MC and head of Dragon Trax Records, Andy Stockton.


As a label that focuses on electronica, techno and drum & bass, Dragon Trax has steadily accumulated an awesome collection of releases with thanks to an incredible roster of like-minded artists including Sick Robot, Edward Spark, DJ Soo, JG Stockton and Socool. Andy's journey to making Dragon Trax a reality makes for a fascinating story as he details his early days on pirate radio, what inspired him to start MC-ing and discusses both the challenges and joys of running a record label in today's unpredictable climate.


We were thrilled to spend time with Andy who generously shares so much of his own journey, his invaluable insight and discusses his commitment to music.


For more details on Dragon Trax, please visit the label's Bandcamp page:

dragontraxuk.bandcamp.com/music



Wednesday, 10 July 2024

'Studies in a Dying Love' by Aladean Kheroufi



Art has long-professed to be a divine force that unites people across the board - there's always talk of artists extolling the virtues of the healing power of music and of using their art to inspire positivity and hope in others.  All of that is a beautiful thing but, conversely, there's something a little alluring about music that regards a world in a harsher reality...


A good album title can be a captivating selling point in of itself; last year we celebrated the wonderful concept underpinned by Laura Llorens & The Shadows of Love's 'No Love No Peace' which seemed to reject the idea of hope in these increasingly dark times of social unrest, political uncertainty and sitting on the cusp of a world war, and of course who could discount Curtis Mayfield's bleak prophetic perspective declaring '(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go'.


Aladean Kheroufi's 'Studies in a Dying Love' actually instils that same level of intrigue in the album's underlying message.  Is his a resigned outlook conceding that all is lost or does Kheroufi still see something around him worth saving?


For Kheroufi, this very question has perhaps served as a long-running theme throughout his music releases to date.  The Canadian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist - of Algerian descent - has amassed a sublime selection of sweet soul music rooted in lamenting love lost.  With prior single releases 'Sorry if I Hurt You', 'Maybe She'd Stay' and 'Beauty Beyond Grief', Kheroufi has become fairly adept in finding the beauty from the bleakest of circumstances.


An incredibly effective and articulate writer, Kheroufi injects so much charisma and personality into his songs which is what ultimately make his lovelorn predicaments so relatable.  The Bandcamp description for 'Studies in a Dying Love' features such a charming description of the album's theme that further suggests a fear of the inevitably of change and the complexities of the spoils not always found in the journey, "I want to be a professional boxer but I never want to get hurt.  I want my white sneakers to stay clean but some might call that living in a day dream."


Kheroufi's exceptional vision is brought to life from a wonderful supporting cast of musicians across the album's eleven tracks.  Names like guitarist Trevor McNeely, drummers Elijah Browning and Connor Ellinger, flautist Josephine Junas-Grant and trumpeter Billy Aukstik from the brilliant Dala Records all perform exquisitely, helping to create a deliciously rich sonic backdrop for Kheroufi to present his narrative.  Clinging to traditional perceptions of soul music, the album's heartfelt and sincere perspectives proudly carry the torch for the genre's forefathers while firmly establishing Aladean Kheroufi as a compulsory voice for today's soul music scene.


If this is in fact Aladean Kheroufi's ode to a "dying love" then - as sad as that is - it still makes for a beautiful send-off.


Friday, 5 July 2024

'The Napoli Exchange' by Ex Generation



Energy Exchange Records has really become a thriving playground for the label's founders, musicians and producers Lewis Moody and Ziggy Zeitgeist.  With projects boasting each of their vast talents now released under the Energy Exchange umbrella, the label has been amassing some delectable releases that run the gamut of electronic, broken beat and future soul. 


With an extensive array of musical credits to his name, drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist has racked up production and collaboration credits alongside Oscar Jerome, the JK Group and Horatio Luna, Zeitgeist has further made waves as a member of future soul heroes 30/70 Collective and for heading up his own Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange and his duo project with Alex Trebo, YOBYUDI.  With an incredible work ethic and a multitude of projects - along with subsequent accolades and plaudits - Zeitgeist's efforts could only be matched by those of Energy Exchange cohort, Lewis Moody.


With a similarly impressive collaboration resume, Moody also continues to see his own star rise with work for Myele Manzanza, Rosie Frater-Taylor and Nubiyan Twist, not to mention his own run of excellent remixes for Energy Exchange audiences which see the producer (under the GOODMOOD moniker) bestow soulful house reimaginings upon classic 90s R&B numbers like Aaliyah's 'If Your Girl Only Knew' and Janet's 'If' and 'Velvet Rope'.  


Both, Zeitgeist and Moody display inspired perspectives on progressive and boundary-less musical soundscapes - an ethos that ultimately makes their new project, 'The Napoli Exchange', such a compelling project.


After having spent time in Naples, Zeitgeist and Moody - creating here under the guise of Ex Generation - opted to use some of the Italian music they had become enamoured with as the basis for their new project.  There's a vast amount of Italy's musical luminaries that continue to make a tremendous impact on respective scenes around the world.  From the bossa-meets-jazz maestro Nicola Conte, to the continued efforts of drummer Tommaso Cappellato to the part-electronic, part-African rhythms aesthetic of DJ Khalab releases, Italy's thriving scenes capture the sun-kissed positive energy exuded from the country's beaming creativity.


'The Napoli Exchange' is very much about capturing Italy's passion for their music and introducing that to the open-minded sensibilities of Zeitgeist and Moody.  With an A-list line-up of musicians involved, Ex Generation further includes contributions from producer Federico Gallotti, bassist Paolo Petrella, keyboardist Dario Bassolino, guitarist Alessio Pignorio and flautist Max Dowling.  Saxophonist Pietro Santangelo makes a notably fascinating inclusion particularly when considering his own electronic, broken beat-infused jazz via his outstanding PS5 project.  


The album's nine tracks clearly gear this project towards the dancefloor with their sublime lo-fi disco soundscapes conveying such positive energy and a genuine affection for Naples as the project's inspiration.  A showcase for some wonderfully innovative productions, the Honeylips-assisted 'Holding Your Heart' is an undeniable standout as is the Allysha Joy contribution on 'Hurting Lies', who each provide fantastic vocals to their respective tracks.


Ex Generation and 'The Napoli Exchange' prove an awesome addition for Energy Exchange Records as both Ziggy Zeitgeist and Lewis Moody continue to cultivate the label's varied and thrilling releases as veritable extensions of themselves.  More fantastic music is surely imminent.