New Releases Galore!

It’s a busy release week this time around. We’re currently enjoying the new and first album by Brazilian lo-fi artist batata boy who has worked with Bruno Berle in the past. Bruno can be heard as guest vocalist on “Tudo Pra Agora”. The 12 songs on the album “Magicleomixtape (Quando Vê, Já Foi”) fill up only 29 minutes. It’s a pretty dreamlike, atmospheric work with lots of layered and distorted vocals, some house injections and some rap thrown in there as well. No vinyl!

We already raved about the new and second album from Toronto-based The Free Label here. “Songs For Sienna” is now out officially and it still is in heavy rotation here. Vinyl will become available soon. The new Samora Pinderhughes is a pretty personal, deep and intense affair. “Venus Smiles Not In The House Of Tears”. It can be a bit dark and gloomy at times because of some very serious topics here, but the overall sound and output is one of hope and courage. Don’t miss Samora on tour this fall. I’m going to see him at Rockit Festival in Groningen (November 9th) and he also plays Berlin on a double bill with Meshell Ndegeocello on November 7th. Vinyl is out now as well. His new album ends on a very spiritual and beautiful note with “Forgive Yourself”.

Two great new albums are out on Blue Note now, both on vinyl too: pianist and composer Aaron Parks is back on the legendary label with “Little Big III”. His group consists of Greg Tuohey (guitar), David Ginyard Jr. (bass), and Jongkuk Kim (drums). There is a lot to explore here, like the beautiful melody on “Heart Stories” and “Ashé”, or the urgency on “Locked Down” or the exuberance on “Sports”. The album was co-produced by Blue Note head Don Was. We especially like the brooding and bubbling “Delusions”. I think it’s his best album to date. Aaron plays Wittlich, Stuttgart, and Cologne at the end of November.

The other new Blue Note album is “Blues Blood” by saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins (also on vinyl). A very spiritual, at times very peaceful album with several guest vocalists, it was co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello. Opening with a somewhat somber, but at the same time tranquil “Matte Glaze” featuring June McDoom, who is also featured on the very calm and balanced “Motions” with the leader breaking out at some point. The album has Micah Thomas on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, and Kweku Sumbry on drums with guests Marvin Sewell (guitar) and Chris Dave (drums), as well as singer Cécile McLorin Salvant who wins over with sorrow and grief on “Dark Eyes Smile”. The mostly balmy breezes really draw you in over the course of 58 minutes. It’s the first time that Immanuel is working with singers on his album and it really has paid off. Immanuel plays Berlin’s Zig Zag on November 5th.

Also out today: Dora Morelenbaum, daughter of Paula and Jaques, and her beautiful debut “Pique”. Produced by Ana Franga Elétrico, it is full of soothing and therapeutic songs, from the opener “Não Vou Te Esquecer” to “Essa Confusão”, with some quirkiness added in (“Sim, Nâo”). Also love the soul on the album closer “Nem Te Procurar”. And with pieces like the flowing and open “A Melhor Saída”, she grabs me right away. Dora is on tour in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Ghent, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, and London between October 30th and November 17th. Favorite track: “Talvez (As Canções”). Out on vinyl too.

Old-school soul is Kelly Finnigan‘s forte. The Monophonics frontman has come up with his second solo album called “A Lover Was Born” (Colemine Records). It’s a very pleasant album with super nice brass and vocal arrangements and his signature, powerful voice of course. Tracks like “Bring Your Own Shelter” were added to Gina’s weekly playlist and the album is full of little Stax and Isaac Hayes doses and very catchy hooks. Really love the beauty of the album closer “Count Me Out”. Kelly will visit Europe at the beginning of the new year with stops in, among other cities, Berlin on February 11th and Amsterdam on February 5th. Grab your vinyl!