There is so much to like on Gretchen Parlato‘s new album “The Wise Ones”. I think it’s her most fantastic album to date, with co-production and writing by Alan Hampton and with guests Robert Glasper, Amber Navran, Meshell Ndegeocello and Becca Stevens. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, the first single off the album,…
It’s hard to believe that London-based deep house label Freerange Records is celebrating its 30th anniversary. I still remember a lot of Freerange releases during my time as a free DJ in various clubs and bars throughout Berlin. Founded by Jamie Odell, who records under the Jimpster moniker, the label’s first release was a 12″…
One of the most important and best albums ever recorded, “Songs In The Key Of Life” by Stevie Wonder, celebrates its 50th release anniversary this year. It was the album that started everything for me in terms of music writing, listening, digging, appreciating and loving. It was and still is the best xmas present I…
WOLF Music Recordings, which started its label journey back in 2009 when it was founded by two house and disco fanatics, is coming up with a new 4-track EP from New York-based DJ and producer DJ Alone Again. It comes about six months after his debut on vinyl, the “Sense Of Self” EP on Yore…
You have probably heard singer Ekep Nkwelle on Kenny Barron’s vocal jazz album “Songbook” which came out last year. On the album of original material from the master pianist, she lends her voice to “Illusion” and “Sonia Braga”. This year at North Sea Jazz in Rotterdam, Kenny brought her with him for his set of…
Montreal-based singer and songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé, who earlier this year released her album “My World Is The Sun” as part of her second album trilogy (her sixth album so far), is currently on a world tour and will hop over to Europe in October, see dates below. We saw her highly satisfying set, at least…
Eleven years after her last studio album, Erykah Badu just announced the release of her next one, coming August 28th (digital only at first). Produced by The Alchemist, the album’s title and cover will be communicated on the day of the release. The album was recorded in Dallas and Los Angeles and deals with young…
This year’s Enjoy Jazz Festival, the festival for Jazz and more, will run from October 2nd until November 7th. Singer and songwriter Souad Massi from Algier will open the festivities. She’ll be joined by French-Congolese rap star Youssoupha. The long-running festival has a lot to offer: Christian McBride & Ursa Major, Samora Pinderhughes Quintet feat….
Ed Motta, the Brazilian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer, nephew of legendary Tim Maia, just announced the release of his next album. “Toc-Toc”, due September 25th on the German-based MPS label, is his first album in Portuguese after about a decade dedicating his original work to an English-language repertoire. The new album, inspired by 1980s…
The legendary Blue Note Club is opening its first UK venue on St. Martin’s Lane in London, right in the heart of Covent Garden. The 300-seat main room has a smaller brother at the intimate, 130-seat B-Side, which will feature emerging artists for late sets. The first drop of shows for the fall and winter…