It is the first LBMF of the year and we are kicking it off with a curated playlist. The last year was what it was. Some may have developed the desire just leave this desaster of a planet and venture through space to find a new home. The January finds are curated in a way that you can do that for a while, before taking you back to the ground. Once back home, we invite you to dance with us and observe the diverse beauty our planet has to offer. Please enjoy this refuge of a playlist for a moment, before exposing yourself to whatever craziness 2021 has in store for us.
The Monthly updated playlist.
(you can always listen to January ’21 through our archived playlist here)
PLS.trio – Cosmonauts (2021)
While I still occasionally enjoy the standard jazz trio setup, it can become a bit stale, unoriginal and predictable. Which is why I love it when trios break out of that and explore a bit. It is still very much a trio record, but every track on here has a special something that prescinds and elevates it from the expectations you may form of it in the first few seconds.
The Diabolical Liberties – High protection & the sportswear mystics (2020)
Post-punk, jazz electronica.
Kinshasa 1978 – compilation by Crammed Disc (2019)
Blend of traditional and modern Kin music. Lanky.
Aleksi Perälä – Midnight Sun 2A (2021)
Aleksi Perälä releases music so fast that you might not be able to listen to it all even if you only listened to him. He sounds methodical and often pretty cold – music for some but not all. This release stands out though. Here we have the visit of some nice warm and crisp drums in a sea of spotless rythms and psychedelic echos. 180 bpm head banging ambient – headset recommended.
Nicolas Repac – Rhapsodic (2021)
Nicolas Repac shows once again that he makes for an excellent cooking pot. Throw in an album theme, a bunch of influences with accompanying samples, and some beats, out comes a story worth telling. This opus plunders the library of the ethnomusicologist Charles Duvelle to make a top pic in the collage music genre.
Indaba Is (Compilation) (2021)
Another Brownswood compilation highlighting a bubbling music scene, this time from South Africa. There is alot to unpack in here, but expect some good good african spiritual jazz music and sounds that transcend genre and heritage.
Tino Contreras – La Noche de los Disoses
Amazingly swinging latin from this 96 year old Mexican drummer. You can feel the pleasure of the musicians. He is playing music for more than 70 years. Still played with Art Blakey, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck.
_By.Alexander – 000 Channel Black (2020)
Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz International – Na My Choice (2021)
Lanky Highlife influenced by Cameroonian and Zairean rhythms. Amazing album cover too, no expense spared.
Meliza – Meliza (2020)
Reissue of obscure 1984 zouk/calypso album. Very smooth.
Son Rompe Pero – Batuco (2020)
Marimba vs cumbia. Whats not to like?
Donald Austin – Crazy Legs
Groovy soul funk disco vibes.
CADEJO – Freesummer (2019)
Minimalistic, groovy jazz-fusion music from Korea. (Instrumental for the most part)
Triorität – Death Pacito (2020)
Not sure if i prefer the song or its title.
Reuben Gingrich – Awaken (2017)
This song is about my attention span. Love the song, the album is weird, though.
Stimulator Jones – La Mano (2021)
Fun. Simple. Good drummin.
Andrew Wasylyk – Fugitive Light and Themes of Consolation (2020)
Gorgeous ambient jazz/classical minimalism.
Hania Rani – Home (2020)
Trickling piano should be its own genre by now. Very meditative, very Gondwana Records, very Zino Mikorey (who mastered this and also worked with Nils Frahm and Ólafur Arnalds), very Hania Rani.
We hope you enjoyed the ride, stay safe!
