Recently celebrating 30 years in business, the wonderful indie soul label Dome Records, operating out of the UK, not only released two volumes of their greatest work with “Dome 30 Years Vol. 1” and “Dome 30 Years Vol. 2” last year, but now come up with yet another great compilation: “15 Mellow Soul Grooves”. Starting…
The music of the Beatles and their influence on other artists are still relevant today in Brad Mehlau‘s work, the pianist says in the liner notes to “Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles”, to be released on Nonesuch Records this Friday, February 10th, on all digital platforms, CD, and vinyl. Recorded live…
There are a lot of things to like on bassist and composer Ben Wolfe‘s new album “Unjust”, out tomorrow. The freshness of putting together a dozen original tunes. A cast which showcases a brilliant way of interplay and resilience. There is no “look at all the things I can do” attitude among the players. You…
Singer Libby York‘s fifth album, and first after her 2014 release “Memoir”, is an intimate and intensive affair, with just guitar and bass (and drums on four tracks) spread over 12 songs. And it suits her really well since her poignant and lithe vibrato shines throughout the set, starting with an elegant and gently swinging…
Sámi-Norwegian saxophonist and composer Mette Henriette was the first artist to release a double debut album on ECM Records. Back in 2015 when “Mette Henriette” came out, she worked with her trio plus brass and string section and bandoneon. She is now back with “Drifting”, which finds her again with pianist Johan Lindvall and Judith…
Brooklyn-based fusion band Snarky Puppy is led by bassist, composer, and producer Michael League. It’s a collective of almost 40 musicians, with pianist, keyboardist and composer Bill Laurance being one of them. Michael League has recently moved to Spain where this duo album was recorded. He’s playing fretless acoustic guitar bass, fretless baritone electric guitar,…
Its José’s 45th birthday today and he’s giving us a new album as a present. José’s 7-track tribute to the great Erykah Badu just came out today on his own Rainbow Blonde label and features BIGYUKI on piano, keys, and synths, Ben Williams on bass, Jharis Yokley on drums, Ebban Dorsey on alto sax, and…
Singer, bassist and producer Adi Oasis, a French-Caribbean artist who recorded as Adeline before and released a double album in 2018, is now back with her first full-length album under that name, due out on March 3rd and called “Lotus Flow”, with the vinyl version to be released three weeks later. As a teaser, there…
My first Luxury Soul collection dates back to 2004. Thanks to Ralph Tee for coming up yet again with the definitive indie soul collection for 2023, compiling 35 tracks on three CDs. What a vast amount of quality tracks on here. I’ve always admired the Isley Brothers tune “Here We Go Again”, one of my…
Dutch singer Wouter Hamel recorded a perfect set of cleverly crafted pop songs on his 2009 album “Nobody’s Tune” and subsequently released four more highly enjoyable sets. With “Little Torch”, which came out last November, he has come up with his most intimate and satisfying album to date. He’s the most tender and gentle on…