The Circling Sun – Orbits [Soundway Records]
“Orbits”, the sophomore lp from the New Zealand band The Circling Sun picks up where their debut, “Spirits” left off. That means an array of hypnotic spiritual Jazz to warm your soul. The eight piece band channels the spirit of Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. That’s evident with the opening track, “Constellation”. The ensemble are joined by the Love Affinity Choir delivering heavenly harmonies. Tenor saxophonist Cameron Allen joins in with ferocious flurries while pianist Joe Kaptein counters with a melodic touch that seems to be everywhere at once. The Brazilian fueled “Flying” soars on the wizardry of Kaptein’s fendor rhodes and splashes of synths. A marvelous release packed with good vibes, superb performances across seven tracks. Press play and repeat.
https://thecirclingsun.bandcamp.com/album/orbits
jazzambientatmosphericinstrumentalinterstellarjazzmodern jazznew jazzspiritual jazzAuckland
TC Kylie & The Hourglass – RE:birth [Legere Recordings]
Japanese pianist TC Kylie & The Hourglass’s debut “Rebirth” incorporates Japanese, Hong Kong and British influences. The title track starts off with a warm piano melody that sets the stage for a wave of lush strings. Instantly you recognize her prowess as an arranger. “Stage” is another gorgeous tune that demosnstrates Kylie’s touch as well as her intensity. The flurries of flute melodies layered on top brings the tune closer to nature. Overall “Rebirth” shows that Kylie is adept at creating contemporary Jazz recordings that’ worthy of your attention.
https://legererecordings.bandcamp.com/album/re-birth
chinafusion jazzhongkongjapanesejazzneoclassicalpiano musicHamburg
4th August 2025
Trip Tease and Alain Vice – Palcon Funch [Astrolead Recordings]
Phreek Plus One – Bumpin’ [Compost Records]
Jiri Jiri – Gino [Batov Records]
Daniel Grau – Atlantis [Sonar Kollektiv]
Casomado & Luis Machuca feat. Tim Fuller – Feels So Good [Friskybeat Records]
NATE08 feat. Dishaan & Mallika – Where Are You Tonight [Needwant]
Rachid – Pride (Mood II Swing Club Mix) [Universal]
Jerk Boy, Marcel Vogel, Million Miles – Real Love (Oliver Night’s Brukwise Remix) [Lumberjacks In Hell]
Oliver Night – Reach Out [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Martin Iveson – Pocket [Atjazz Record Company]
Rowpieces – And Even Sky Is No Limit [Rowtown Records]
[K S R] x Dogger – Sweet Jungle [Polarface Recordings]
Shimon & Andy C – Nightflight [RAM Records]
Brubaker – Back To Basics [Nuphonic]
Grupo Batuque – Keyzer [Far Out Recordings]
Banda 22 – A Luz Que Brilha Meu Viver [Mr Bongo]
Luisa feat. Azymuth – Lenha Na Fogueira [Far Out Recordings]
Rogê – Road To Nowhere [BBE Music]
Milton Nascimento – Vera Cruz [A&M Records]
Belleruche – 5 Fold [Hippoflex Recording Industries]
Evidence – Outta Bounds [Rhymesayers]
Camouflage Large – Cocbacda 9 [Close Range Records]
Mecca:83 feat. Phat Kat x Guilty Simpson – Don’t Stop [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
Mecca:83 – The Light Inside [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
Besøk – Det Ble Noe Vakkert
28th July 2025
J’von & Ackryte feat. Whitegroove – Keep It Movin’ [Cascade Records]
Common feat. Cee-Lo – A Song For Assata [MCA]
Jill Scott – Blessed [Warner Bros.]
Mecca:83 feat. Nardo Says – Proof of Life [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
Mecca:83 – Moving Dream [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
Robin Mullarkey – Bring Own Ball
American Gypsy – Inside Out [Music On Vinyl]
Quarteto Em Cy – Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser [Mr Bongo]
Antonio Adolfo, Brazil & Brazuka – SOS Amazonas [Far Out Recordings]
João Selva – Menina Me Encanta [Underdog Records]
The Circling Sun – Flying [Soundway Records]
The Sorcerers – Abandoned Satellites [ATA Records]
The Expansions – Cannonball [Albert’s Favourites]
Herbert & Momoko – Someone Like You [Strut Records]
EVM128 – Desert Island Bruk [CoOp Presents]
Piers Kirwan – Arps With Hats [Last Forever Records]
Cyberworks – Cosmic Drive (9th dB Remix) [DBR]
Dobie – Hustle With Speed [Big Dada]
Alix Perez feat. Sabre – Hemlines [Shogun Audio]
Tenshu – Aerials (Slimy Ape Remix)
Deeper Connection – Mystics [Fokuz Recordings]
Bassment – Up In Smoke [Warm Communications]
Zero dB – Come Party [Fluid Ounce Records]
Kraak & Smaak – Corsica ’80 (Opolopo Remix) [Dafia Records]
Offshore and Coen feat. Ernesto & The Basement Gospel – Show ’em Up [Foliage Recordings]
Aroop Roy feat. Andre Espeut – Let Me In [Kaoz Theory]
Belabouche – Luv In The Dark [JDP Disco Records]
Herbert & Momoko – Clay [Strut Records]
Uk producer Matthew Herbert and drummer/vocalist Momoko Gill collaborate on the blissful album “Clay”. The album weaves from the dance floor to quiet introspective moments. The peaceful opener “Calm Water” is a melancholy tune where Momoko yearns about getting closer to nature. Herbert’s sound is close to nature as well. He has a tone that is warm and subtle yet poignant. This comes through in his dance recordings as well as his film scores. “Fallen Again” is another highlight where Momoko’s tender vocals float over a early morning groove. “Babystar” is a polished chilled out dance floor banger. Momoko and Herbert have worked together before. Momoko covered Herbert’s “The Horse Is Here”. Herbert’s production aligned with Gill’s melodic arrangements are a superb match. Gill’s vocals are as tasty as butter on warm toast. The compositions are full of color and euphoric textures. Simply a marvelous record and one of the best of the year.
21st July 2025
Joe Henderson & Woody Shaw – Power To The People [Real Gone Music]
Bruno Repsold Quinteto – Quimera [Agogo Records]
Plunky & Oneness Of Juju – Shades Of Light [Strut Records]
Aldorande – Riviera Serenade [Favorite Recordings]
Marcos Valle – She Told Me, She Told Me [Verve]
Sault – K.T.Y.W.S. [Forever Living Originals]
Scuba feat. Imani Izuri – Bare Naked [Five Six]
Potatohead People & Slippery Elm feat. Bahamadia – Up Close [Mysterybox Records]
DJ Marrrtin & Tino – Paris Fashion District [Stereophonk]
Kuna Maze – Layered Memories [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Havana Candy – Curious George
Sue Wright – I Believe In You [Canopy Records]
Liberation Of Man – Lovely Day [Mr Bongo]
Rome Jefferies – Good Love [Backatcha]
Tryangle Man – House Of Desired Funk [Tryangle Man Records]
Cool Affair – Motoric Patterns (Kaidi Tatham Remix) [Cataleya Music]
NBI – Alphawaves [Burnin Music]
The Creeps – Change It (Simonelli’s Disco Family Sensation) [Clubvision Recordings]
Don Kamares – HausDans [Mousetrap Records]
Max Sinàl feat. Hutch The Great & Melodi Marsh – Let You In [Soul Quest Records]
SPD – Ferment [eatmybeat]
Bassment – Gumshoe Blues [Warm Communications]
Joy Spheres Rees – Solina [BBE Music]
Joy Spheres Rees is the trio of vocalist Allysha Joy, DJ/Producer Hidden Spheres and pianist Finn Rees. “Solina” is an intimate and ethereal recording that fuses the talents of each member. Together they compose nine tracks that touch on romance and spirituality. “Trust The Feeling” is warm and seductive with Joy instructing her partner to let go of any inhibitions. “When Will The Day Come” is a meditative yet intimate tune. Joy’s lush vocals and phrasing aligned with euphoric strings create a mood of passion. “Promise Me Love” is a balearic tune armed with Rees warm synths and Spheres deep grooves. Joy’s tone is in tune with the sound. The result is a mid-tempo gem filled with warmth and plenty of bounce. Bright moments abound on this record. The trio demonstrate their chemistry while the melodies stay with you long after the song is over.
Omar – Brighter The Days [Impressive Collective / BBE Music]
“Brighter The Days”, the ninth album from Omar was originally recorded around the pandemic. The beauty of the UK soul star is his recordings have never followed trends. It has made for a catalog of cherished timeless recordings. It also helps when you have a label that firmly supports your musical vision. Now signed to BBE, he’s free to continue delivering compositions in his own image. Lyefook has made a number of friends on both sides of the pond over his storied career. Many are on board here to take this release to another level. “Holding On to Life” is a mid-tempo burner that features the songstress Ledisi. “Lovey Dovey” is another highlight where he’s joined by vocalists Eric Robeson and Rahemm DeVaughn. The samba flavored “Latin Salsa” demonstrates that Omar can groove in all manner of styles. With eighteen tracks in all, there’s plenty of essential recordings to soothe your Omar fix. The wait has been long but this lp is worth the wait.
14th July 2025
Evidence – Nothing To See Here [Rhymesayers]
The Expert feat. Defcee & Jehst – Remember The Summer [Rucksack Records]
Dabrye feat. MF Doom – Air (K15 ReMiX)
Besøk – Rommet Snakker Tilbake
Tania Maria – Ficou Na Saudade [Jazzybelle Records]
Brigitte Fontaine – Il Pleut [Wewantsounds]
Space Travelers Union – Heliocentric [Folded Music]
Sault – S.I.T.L. [Forever Living Originals]
Mulatu Astatke – Netsanet [Strut Records]
Bembe Segue – Pyramids
Airplay – Nothin’ You Can Do About It [RCA]
Slimy Ape X Wintour feat. Pablogyal – Peace Of Mind
Benga – Killerstep [Bengabeats]
Artwork – Red [Big Apple Records]
Currency Audio – Adder [Exit Records]
Deeper Connection – Mystics [Fokuz Recordings]
Kelmo – The Function (Mutt Remix) [Lately Bass]
Rowpieces – Between Melancholy And Confidence [Rowtown Records]
Horatio Luna – Bubbly (Dufresne Remix) [La Sape Records]
China Charmeleon & Brandon Dhludhlu – Birds Sing [Stay True Sounds]
Offshore and Coen feat. Kali Mija – Always (Alone] [Atjazz Record Company]
Sunbörn Meets Clap! Clap! – Acarajé do Salmão [Wah Wah 45s]
gutinstinct – Pueblo [Fortunea Records]
Anghel & Prayon x Idd Aziz – Kipekeele [BBE Music/Batakari]
Mad Cliff – Goin’ To The Disco [Soul Brother Records]
Don Glori – Paper Can’t Wrap Fire [Mr Bongo]
Gordon Li, aka Don Glori returns with his third release. “Paper Can’t Wrap Fire” has plenty of the same flavors his previous compositions. That means an array of fusion forays combining soul, jazz and Brazilian rhythms. Vocalist ML Hall jumps on three tracks. One of those tracks, “Brown Eyes” combines Hall’s falsetto vocals with Glori’s sublime piano arrangements. Glori’s warm and melodic arrangements shine on “Song For Ants”. The tune begins with a flurry of horns layered over wordless phrasing. Glori tops it off with rhythmnic and harmonically adventurous soloing. “Power” is another highlight that begins with a heavenly choir layered over vibrant fender rhodes and a samba groove. Glori has built an impressive catalog. This release from the multi-instrumentalist may be his best.