Setting the bar incredibly high with the release of her debut single, Shanell van Koeverden - under the guise of Van Fleur - offers up a sensational display of her talents with 'Mother Earth'. Assuming duties as the song's vocalist, songwriter, producer and trumpeter, Van Fleur ushers in her complex and multi-layered composition that finds itself rooted in sublime neo-soul, contemporary jazz and a dreamy Latin-tinged aesthetic. A keen performer and collaborator, 'Mother Earth' sees the Australian artist and musician take the decided steps towards centre stage - and it's potentially a step that has been a long time coming. A quick glance over Van Fleur's Instagram page allows us further access to what is clearly a highly imaginative, creative and adventurous artist - videos documenting her progress in self-taught drumming lessons are a joy as are the tantalising snippets of covers and demos including Space Captain's 'Easier'. We're incredibly excited by the prospect of more music from Van Fleur and equally excited about the prospect of watching more of her story unfold.
The brand new single from Canadian singer-songwriter Merna Bishouty marks her second release in relatively quick succession this year. With the more up-tempo 'Pour My Love' unveiled in August, this more sultry follow-up captures the excellence of Merna's vocal alongside its tailor-made production. Having initially come to prominence performing under the moniker of Ayah, and having secured some standout collaborations alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff - culminating in the brilliant 'Back For More' full-length - 'Merna' serves as not just a re-introduction but more so a significant evolutionary step in her artistry. 'Again' boasts an added bonus in the accompanying 'And Again' which clocks in at just under two minutes but still serves as the perfect extension to the song's themes. As a two-track presentation, both are beautifully performed and produced and we're enthusiastically awaiting more releases.
With former releases on Tru Thoughts and following a lengthy and successful stint at Jalapeno Records, the versatile DJ, producer and musician Nigel "Flevans" Evans steps out on his own with the formation of Nearby Bear Recordings. As an artist in his own right, there's very little Flevans can't do - with past projects running the gamut from sample-laden, drum-heavy breakbeat funk to disco-tinged, dancefloor-centric numbers, down-tempo gems and sweet soul, Flevans has steered an incredible musical path over his extensive career. The notion of Flevans at the helm of his own label is a massively exciting prospect, whether that involves the freedom to release music on his own terms or whether Nearby Bear extends to being a hub for other artists to create music and learn under the Flevans tree. With the single comprising three tracks including the soulful 'Untrue' along with the instrumental version and the lush 'Just Reach', both beautifully bolstered by sublime vocal samples. With the label's first full-length due in April 2025, there's the promise for imminent and great things from Nearby Bear Recordings.
Listeners were first introduced to the all-encompassing jazz of MATTERS UNKNOWN via the New Soil debut full-length, 'We Aren't Just', released late-2002. Serving as something of an alter ego to the project's founder, Jonny Enser, the trumpeter and composer led the charge for an inspired project with ambitious scope and imagination. Famed as trumpeter for the mighty UK ensemble, Nubiyan Twist, Enser has managed to diversify his MATTERS UNKNOWN project to demonstrate exciting new facets to his music. The new single - leading the charge for an EP release early next year - finds Enser once again in the company of 'We Aren't Just' collaborators in Rosie Turton (trombone), Nick Richards (sax), Lyle Barton (keys), Matt Davies (drums) and Alec Hewes (bass). Cuban percussionist and vocalist Flavio Correa guests on 'Race Against the Sun' providing the perfect accompaniment to Enser's perspective on Afro-Cuban-jazz that managed to permeate through to tracks even on 'We Aren't Just'. A sensational return.
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