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On Last Night At Marienbad's latest, the imprint brings together three of the brightest souls found within the realms of Jazz, namely Mauricesax, 9ick and Milan93, with their collective talents synergising effortlessly on 'A Garden Between Us', alongside a stellar cast of remixers who add even further delight between the grooves….

As a genre, Jazz has perhaps lent itself the most to other musical universes, in that its curious heart, endlessly experimental nature, and parameter-defying spirit have wrapped itself deep within the core of countless albums, scenes, and music makers. It's a genre that welcomes reinvention, consistently defying its contents and always reaching out to find new methods of expressionism. Electronic music, in its many forms, has truly embraced Jazz perhaps like no other movement of music has, with a truly astonishing array of records surfacing in the past 40 years which have blended Jazz's unique motifs with grooves, chords, and emotive excellence. From 90s Jazz house and UR Techno, through to Future Jazz, downtempo, and Hip Hop, and around many other suns, there remains such an intrinsic and symbiotic relationship between the two musical realms that caters to those who wish to live music both within and out with themselves.

As practitioners of blending electronica and Jazz, few do it like the trio of Mauricesax, 9ick, and Milan93. All three are known for their distinctive soundscapes, yet share commonalities in terms of musical language, feel, and sense of progression. Bringing them together allows for overlaps in their sounds to emerge, and just like Jazz itself, this is where the intrinsicness of sound begins to blossom. 9ick brings his softly evolving vibe to the table, one which was so prevalent and celebrated on his 2025 album 'SMIL'; Milan93 draws from his focal point of exploring fill-laden grooves and a myriad of emotive sensibilities; and Mauricesax draws up his extensive musicality that exists at the corner of jazz, electronic, and experimental music, along with running musical workshops all over the globe.

'A Garden Between Us' represents the trio's core tenets, with this immediately obvious from the record's opener, 'Rhodora'. A gentle solo piano quickly evolves into a series of powerful rhythmic pulses, with brass lines bringing vitality and feel to proceedings. The track shifts gears with purpose, transitioning between musical vignettes of the highest order, with the synth work doing much to bind the transitions together. 'Tulip' emerges slightly differently, with glossy Rhodes tones and an unravelling rhythmic undercurrent setting an enthralling stage. The track flourishes amongst sweeping textures, coming up for air amongst a deeply hypnotic rhythmic section that holds on and never lets up. 'Honeysuckle' lands next, which sees the trio emerge with a boundless, dynamic soundscape. The drums shift within the undertones, as keys, chords, horns and hip-hop vocal samples dance around the pulse, capturing the imagination with their narrative-like placement. Wrapping up the A side comes 'Camellia'. A dazzling array of harmonic sounds converges around the transfixing rhythm section, which emerges from deep below to lavishly roll out over the midsection, with the delicateness of the instrumentation a real highlight here.

The B side features two exquisite remixes, with Pacific Coliseum's version of 'Tulip' landing first. Beginning with a signature four to the floor to get things going, his careful handling of the source material is seen in the tactful introduction of the blissful elements that made the original cut so impactful, with great focus placed on emotive fidelity. The result is a summer-bound house number that reimagines the original in all the right ways, flipping it into a euphoria-driven jazz-laden pacer that reaches for the heavens as much as it drives right into the heart. Teuteu then showcases their take on 'Honeysuckle', and at 9 minutes long, represents the longest cut on the record - and the experience is all the richer for it. Leaning heavily into dance music flavours, Teuteu shifts perspective totally into the realm of the club, with the walls beating hard to the kicks. The sax lines that drift ethereally up top keep eyes closed and souls full, as the dance shifts into the next phase.

An experience that drifts from the daydreaming, to soul-warming through to the club shaking - what else is left to experience, except for 'A Garden Between Us' and how it will brighten up life itself….

2017 revolutionierte die bahrainisch-britische Trompeterin und Flügelhornistin Yazz Ahmed mit ihrem Album "La Saboteuse" den Jazz, indem sie ihr doppeltes Erbe mit elektronischen Effekten vermischte, um das Genre neu zu definieren. Die Platte taucht ein in ihre britischen und bahrainischen Wurzeln, mit Musikern wie Lewis Wright und Shabaka Hutchings, und zeichnet sich durch orientalische Melodien und stimmungsvolle Rhythmen aus, wobei auch der Einfluss moderner Jazzkünstler wie Kamasi Washington und Sons of Kemet nicht zu leugnen ist. Parallel fordert Yazz die von Männern dominierte Jazzsphäre heraus, gestärkt durch eine steigende Zahl weiblicher Musikerinnen.

*ZELDA SUITES (THE LIVE ALBUM) : A MODERN JAZZ REINTERPRETATION OF THE MUSIC FROM ZELDA, RECORDED LIVE!*

WRWTFWW Records continues its collaboration with Belgian jazzman Casimir Liberski with another Zelda-themed rendition, following his celebrated Z Suites album. This time it's a full-on live session - Casimir Libersk ReTRio's Zelda Suites (The Live Album) is a heroic Hyrule jazz adventure available in half speed mastered DLP in a heavyweight sleeve with obi.

Casimir Liberski reimagines the golden era of video game soundtracks with live jazz versions of Zelda favorites The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Link's Awakening (1993), and Oscarina of Time (1998) - and tons of Easter eggs! Dancing between nostalgia and avant-garde, the Brussels-born pianist and composer crafts a sonic world of pixelated folklore where melody and improvisation coexist in harmony.

Zelda Suites (The Live Album) is the origin story of Liberski's acclaimed Z Suites album. He explains:

The live recording of Zelda Suites (The Live Album) preceded the studio recording that later comprised ReTRio's first album, released on WRWTFWW entitled The Z Suites. This live recording was captured at the end of a tour in Germany and Belgium, in Osnabrück, in a small, intimate venue. This new album therefore contains only "hot first takes," imbued with all the emotion that permeated our playing that evening. In a way, it's perhaps more closely linked to my initial vision for the project: to "take the iconic themes from the Legend of Zelda games that shaped my childhood and perform them live through a jazz lens". For me, the conditions of live performance are the very essence of jazz. There's a frankness of being present, in the very moment the music is created and, one might say, listens to itself, that draws the musicians into a fervor and audacity that often transcends them. The magic of jazz comes at this price. Unapologetic, as they say in English. This album reveals a perhaps more authentic and unrestrained side of our playing. No excuses.

Again, long live Hyrule jazz!

Points of interests

For fans of Zelda, jazz, video game music, Nintendo jazz, modern jazz, piano, Ryo Fukui, Brussels, fantasy, the 80s, the 90s, nostalgia, vintage consoles, Hyrule, half speed mastered vinyl, adventures, the pleasure of feeling alive, and appreciating the small pleasures of life in a world that's going crazy.

Limited edition vinyl release of modern jazz re-interpretations of Zelda music, recorded live!

WRWTFWW Records presents the first ever vinyl release for the Startled Insects’ 1984-1985 abstract/synth-pop/post-punk/electronic run compiled into one album : The Antenna Years. The Bristol music must-have comes as a limited edition LP with astonishing artwork, liner notes and a heavyweight sleeve.
The Antenna Years compiles the independent EPs/mini-LPs the Startled Insects released in 1984 (self-titled) and 1985 (Underworld/Black Spring), with two bonus unreleased tracks that were only ever played in their live shows (W.W.W and What A Waste, both amazing).
Astonishingly futuristic when they landed in 1984, the Startled Insects sounded like they came from another planet while staying rooted in Bristol’s underground. Abstract electronic, leftfield synth-pop, dub science, gamelan heat, post-punk edge, cinematic atmosphere : The Antenna Years delivers one beautifully odd voyage into the sonic unknown.

In the 90s, the band released two albums, including the classic Curse Of The Pheromones via Antilles New Directions (Island Records), then evolved into The Insects: film composers for BBC/National Geographic, Emmy winners, and key architects of the 90s Bristol orbit, working with Massive Attack, Goldfrapp, Tricky, and members of Portishead.

Four decades on, The Antenna Years still hits like a transmission from the future. Dive in with no fear.

The second debut release by Fumio Karashima, who emerged in the jazz scene with his first leader album "Piranha" on WHYNOT. This popular piano trio work is known for its sophisticated, lyrical touch and outstanding jacket design. Series supervised by Koki Hanawa.

Pianist Hideo Ichikawa, a musician equally renowned for his dazzling technical skill and his gift for composing innovative, lyrical works, left behind this outstanding piano trio album for the TBM label. Recorded during the height of his artistic maturity, the album stands as one of the finest achievements of his career. Series supervised by Koki Hanawa.

The second CBS/Sony album by internationally acclaimed Japanese keyboardist Himiko Kikuchi, "SEVILLA BREEZE," originally released in 1988, is finally available on vinyl for the first time.


Inspired by Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen" and traditional Spanish music, this masterful Latin jazz/fusion album showcases Kikuchi's dazzling keyboard work soaring freely over a powerful rhythm section and a razor-sharp horn section. Highlights include the breathtaking high-speed Cuban-Latin jazz workout "Toreador"; interpretations of "Gypsy Song (from Carmen)" and "Seguidilla (from Carmen)" from Bizet's "Carmen"; the Latin-funk fusion gems "Sevilla Breeze" and "Primavela," featuring Naoki Watanabe (bass), Tsuguo Okamoto (drums), and Yoshinori Nami (percussion); and the mellow, laid-back tracks "Blue Gibraltar" and "Siesta."


(This is a limited production edition.)

Isao Suzuki's third release for TBM showcases his remarkable versatility, not only on his primary instrument, the bass, but also on electric piano, organ, cello, and even vocals. The album's expansive, spiritual, and blues-infused title track stands out as a particular highlight. Supervised by Koki Hanawa as part of the series.

In 1955 Miles Davis played an all-star jam session at the Newport Jazz Festival with Thelonious Monk on piano, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax and Zoot Sims on tenor sax. This performance immediately drew the attention of Columbia Records' George Avakian, who was so impressed that he immediately offered Davis a contract if he could form a regular band. The group he then assembled would go down in history as Davis' so-called "First Great Quintet", consisting of John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Philly Joe Jones on drums, Paul Chambers on bass and of course Miles himself on trumpet. 'Round Midnight is Miles Davis' first record for Columbia and also the first studio recording of the First Great Quintet. The recording sessions began on October 26 1955 but the album wasn't released until 1957 as Davis was still under contract at Prestige at the time. These respective sessions yielded Steamin', Workin', Cookin' and Relaxin'; albums that would go down in history as quintessential blueprints of late 1950s hard bop.

The record is made up of a collection of standards and one traditional song ("Dear Old Stockholm", from the 19th century). Notably, it features what may be considered the most well-known versions of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". That Avakian made a golden signing was sufficiently clear from the start, but no one could foresee that it would be this quintet on Columbia that would go on to change the course of modern jazz forever with Kind of Blue. 'Round Midnight is available as a limited edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on crystal clear vinyl.

After the wild Afro-jazz fusion of Trancedance (reissued as BT118) and the meditative solo Christer Bothén Donso n’goni (BT133), legendary Swedish multi-instrumentalist Christer Bothén returns to Black Truffle as part of a dream quartet completed by the three members of Ghosted: Oren Ambarchi (guitar), Johan Berthling (bass) and Andreas Werliin (drums). Recorded at a rustic studio built by Werliin and Hans Fredriksson in the sylvan surrounds of Hamburgsund, Sweden across a few days in September 2023, Serpentine offers up four generous slices of hypnotic repetition and shimmering resonance, cut through with wild bursts of Bothén’s bass clarinet.

The depth and ease of the quartet’s rapport is evident from the first moments of the opening title-track. Berthling’s resonant upright bass locks into a head-nodding ostinato that makes sensitive use of a prominent end-of-phrase rest, opening spaces through which Werliin’s continually shifting statements of the pulse shine through. Having worked together in various groups for many years, Berthling and Werliin are masters at playing subtle games of difference and repetition, creating a driving rhythmic flow animated by perpetually changing details: here, you can never step in the same groove twice. Weaving through it all is Ambarchi’s now-signature Leslie-cabinet guitar tone, sounding out long chords at times strikingly close to a Hammond, while also creating intricate cross-rhythms through the play of his tremolo modulations against the bass and drums. When Bothén enters five minutes in, the growl of his bass clarinet at first works deep in the collective brew, carving off brief staccato phrases and twisting them into fragmented melodies. As he moves into the instrument’s higher registers, Bothén’s playing becomes wilder, twinning with Ambarchi’s guitar in shimmering arcs like a 21st century update of the Garbarek-Rypdal pairing immortalised on Sart.

Each of the four pieces explore different possibilities of a shared language. On ‘Antigorite’, another hypnotic bass riff emerges gradually from an atmospheric haze, eventually developing into a frenetic rhythmic workout propelled by Werliin’s cowbell. Berthling sits out for ‘Lizardite’, while Bothén moves from bass clarinet to the Donso n’goni, the sacred Wassoulou hunter’s harp he has studied for half a century; the resulting performance streamlines the approach heard on other tracks into pure modal propulsion, sparkling with harp-like arpeggios from Ambarchi’s guitar. On the closing ‘Chrysotile’, the bottom drops out, leaving a swampy, churning mass of wavering organ-like chords, roaming bass runs, and distant toms, over which Bothén floats bass clarinet figures by turns bluesy and abstract, the whole thing landing somewhere between classic ECM and the most blasted freeform moments of early Amon Düül II. Bearing a delicate calligraphic abstraction by Bothén on its cover and beautiful documentation of the recording sessions on its inner sleeve, Serpentine is a powerful reminder of the magic that can happen when inventive musicians just get together and play.

Freerange Records proudly presents SUN, the brand-new album from Crackazat - a radiant, genre-spanning statement and the long-awaited follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 LP Evergreen. SUN is Crackazat’s fourth album and his most expansive work to date: a rich blend of jazz, house, hip-hop, soul, and funk that fully steps into his own lane as a musician, bandleader, collaborator, song writer, and producer. Early radio support from 6 Music (Craig Charles), NTS and Jazz FM. Press/online support from Notion, Electronic Groove, Atwood, Earmilk & Magnetic Magazine.

Knowsum is set to release his new album, Cherry Stone Pillow on his label Sugar Brain.
A record that keeps swinging - blurred at the edges, and gently surreal. Psychedelic rock pulses at it's core, softened by the sweet touch of soul, the sway of bossanova, and the sun-faded glow of 60s easy-listening. Each track feels like an afternoon stretched into midnight – This is music for children of the moon, where drums riot like subway prophets and guitars drip human gasoline

Boogie Back Records proudly reissues BBR008 on 7-inch vinyl — a timeless slice of soulful innovation from Max Beesley, whose deep roots in the UK’s acid jazz and soul scene have influenced generations of musicians and listeners alike. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, Beesley has collaborated with some of the most iconic artists of our time — Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Incognito, Jamiroquai, and many more — contributing his signature touch on drums, percussion, keyboards, and vibraphone.

Originally released as part of Boogie Back’s 12” series, BBR008 captures Beesley’s unmistakable sound: rich harmonies, heavy grooves, and that soulful energy that bridges classic street soul and contemporary jazz-funk. This 7” reissue distills the essence of his acclaimed Boogie Back Records impacting era — a period defined by vibrant musicianship and cosmic jazz grooves ready for both the dancefloor and the deep listener. These two tracks showcase the full range of Beesley’s musical vision. “Night Daze” rides a hypnotic groove of cosmic Rhodes chords, tight percussion, and lush vibraphone lines, creating a cinematic, late-night atmosphere. On the flip, “Painful Truth” features the unmistakable voice of Omar, one of the UK’s most iconic soul vocalists — delivering a deep, heartfelt performance over Beesley’s rich, jazz-funk arrangements. This is another special and exclusive 45/7“ release via Soulkitchen Distribution…

Michaela Turcerová’s compositions unfold in slow motion. The saxophonist and composer’s glacial music zeroes in on the granularities of each note as it rings, soaking in every subtle shift in texture and pitch.

Šumum exemplifies this patient approach to writing music, branching out from themes of loss and togetherness into an intricate tapestry of introspective sound. These four pieces invite deep collaboration between performers, who together shape the music through the shared process of listening and interpreting Turcerová’s relatively open scores. And while these works often grow from long, stretched-out tones, they also foreground forward direction: no note stays in one place, no melody is without action. Instead, Šumum chronicles how the tiniest shifts can lead to major transformation.

Šumum builds from Turcerová’s longheld interests in place and minimalism. Many of the composer’s works explore perception: how a room can shape the music we hear, and how repetition alters a melody. Like the music of Éliane Radigue, Šumum embraces the rainbow of colors that appear when close listening with the wave-like flow of looped melodic and rhythmic patterns. All the album’s pieces observe the subtle changes that happen as music grows.

Group communication yields the constant evolution that defines Šumum. The album feels like a conversation, with each instrumentalist swapping phrases or trading places when the moment feels right. “Straty” builds from a series of strongly accented drones that appear as quickly as they fade away; underneath them is a perpetual rhythm that drives the color of each long held note, from melancholy into radiance and back again. With “Vlny,” pitch eventually disappears, leaving a delicate rhythm, and with “Masy,” a matrix of brassy tones link together and eventually burst. No matter where the music goes, one thing remains true: Šumum invites close listening, and in the process, reveals the beauty of continual motion.

Released in limited numbers in tandem with Black Mahogani back in 2004 and never repressed. Black Mahogani II was a departure from Kenny Dixon Jr's usual house based music and featured cuts from Kenny Dixon Jr's late night jazz band sessions
The centrepiece is the eighteen minute 'When She Follows', a deep jazz session skittering live drum rolls into an electric Fender Rhodes, loping acoustic bass and distant saxophone all wrapped up in an amorphous vocal that drifts ever onwards like some epic detroit techno cut replayed by Gil Scott Heron's band in 1970. Incredible music.
'Rectify' follows in a similar mode, jazz in a detroit techno framework, while the final two tracks 'Dirty Little Bonus Beats' and 'When She (Reprise)' are revisions of the main cut, the former altering the bassline, adding vocal sighs and more rhythmic drums, while the latter shifts up the tempo with a wigged out techno synth element.
Stone, cold.

For Record Store Day 2026, Brownswood Recordings mark two decades of boundary-pushing independent music with Twenty Years Deep, a limited-edition 3xLP vinyl compilation celebrating the label’s rich, global catalogue and enduring influence.

Founded in 2006 by broadcaster, DJ, and cultural tastemaker Gilles Peterson, Brownswood has spent the last 20 years championing forward-thinking artists who sit just left of centre: rooted in Afro-diasporic music, but never confined by genre. Twenty Years Deep is a snapshot of that journey: a carefully curated collection spanning the label’s early breakthroughs, cult classics, and defining moments.

Pressed exclusively for Record Store Day on 3 piece coloured vinyl Twenty Years Deep brings together tracks that reflect Brownswood’s long-standing commitment to artistic freedom, musical lineage, and future-facing sounds. From deep jazz explorations and dancefloor mutations to global collaborations and genre-defying hybrids, the compilation captures the connective thread that has defined the label since day one: trust in artists and belief in music that lasts.
Rather than a greatest-hits exercise, Twenty Years Deep functions as an archive and a statement documenting how Brownswood has maintained its own point of view. By following a highly instinctive approach to A&R the label has shaped music culture, introduced new voices, and built a catalogue that continues to resonate well beyond release cycles.

Twenty Years Deep will be available exclusively at participating independent record stores on Record Store Day 2026, pressed as a limited-edition 3 piece vinyl release.

Between her elaborately conceptual Drag City singer-songwriter albums and celebrated soundtracks for Ryusuke Hamaguchi, in recent years Eiko Ishibashi has quietly self-released a significant body of solo and collaborative work on her Bandcamp page. At times resembling her solo live performances in their organic interweaving of instrumental, electronic, and concrete sounds, each of these less feted online releases offers a snapshot of the experiments always underway at Atelier Eiko. Some Fine Legacy is pleased to announce a vinyl edition of one of the most intriguing of these works, Gasping_Sighing_Sobbing, made in collaboration with Hiroshi Minami and first released in 2021.

Active since the 1980s, Hiroshi Minami is a key figure in the Tokyo jazz scene, as well as a respected memoirist. Devoted to the great standards, which he explores with an Evans-ish delicacy of touch and Impressionist harmonic extensions, he is equally at home working up variations on tunes by Ryuichi Sakomoto and The Beatles or experimenting with ambient electronics. A single note from his piano is the first thing we hear on Gasping_Sighing_Sobbing, the space left by its decay unexpectedly filled by a synth arpeggio that quickly fades away as the piano returns with a balladic chord sequence.

Like her frequent collaborator Jim O’Rourke, Ishibashi possesses the virtue of patience, recognising the beauty of lingering at length in a single musical environment. Throughout its 40-minute duration, Gasping_Sighing_Sobbing remains lost in this maze of obstructed and fragmented piano balladry. The musical surface is in one respect placid, but close listening reveals dynamics and processes that are deeply strange: the resonance of a chord dying away is frozen, expanding to become a cloud that suddenly makes way for the piano’s return; or the piano is looped into a ticking glitch or a time-stretched shudder, momentarily sinking under lapping waves, distant bells, and snatches of conversation. Ishibashi’s subtle vocals and synths colour the piano passages like views through distorted glass. The metaphor of cinéma pour l’oreille is perhaps overused in discussions of the musique concrète tradition, but here the visual associations are almost unavoidable: especially when Daisuke Ijichi joins on upright bass, it’s hard to shake the cinematic image of a smoky jazz bar—shown in a sequence, perhaps, that cuts repeatedly to the musicians’ and audience’s thoughts and dreams. Like much of Ishibashi’s work, this collaboration with Hiroshi Minami is inconspicuously radical, shaped at the deepest level by electro-acoustic procedures even as it luxuriates in melancholic beauty.

Mit Tether veröffentlicht die preisgekrönte Saxophonistin, Improvisatorin und Komponistin Alden Hellmuth ihr neues Album - der kraftvolle Nachfolger zu Good Intentions, das als Debut Album of the Year International beim Deutschen Jazzpreis ausgezeichnet wurde. Hellmuth, Absolventin des renommierten Herbie Hancock Institute, verbindet hier kompositorische Präzision mit einem markanten, modernen Bandsound. Das Herzstück von Tether ist ein seltenes Zwei-Bass-Quartett, getragen von zwei der radikalsten Musiker der LA-Szene: Logan Kane, ein genreübergreifender Bassist zwischen Jazz, Avantgarde und Punk-Funk, und Miller Wrenn, einer der furchtlosesten Improvisatoren der Westküste. An den Drums sorgt Justin Brown für energetische Dynamik - ein herausragender Musiker, der u. a. mit Ambrose Akinmusire, Christian McBride und Vijay Iyer gearbeitet hat. Besondere Gäste wie Paul Cornish, Finalist großer internationaler Klavierwettbewerbe und auf Blue Note veröffentlicht, sowie Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, eine prägende Stimme des modernen ukrainischen Jazz, erweitern den Klang zusätzlich. Tether ist ein energiegeladenes, modernes Jazzalbum, das Avantgarde-Mut, kompositorische Tiefe und unmittelbare Spielfreude vereint. Hellmuths Quartett erschafft eine kraftvolle, eigenständige Klangwelt zwischen Modern Jazz, zeitgenössischer Improvisation und experimentellen Low-End-Texturen.

Two days after his 100th birthday, Marshall Allen started recording New Dawn, his debut solo album. A member of Sun Ra’s Arkestra since 1958, Allen assumed leadership of the band in 1995. Throughout his nearly seventy-year career, Allen has never released a solo album under his own name, and yet, instead of capping such a legendary output, New Dawn seems to herald a new beginning. A love letter to spacetime, it channels a century of musical intelligence into seven tracks, showing Allen at his most protean—freely moving from relaxed, transdimensional palettes to bluesy big band and beyond.

The title track “New Dawn” is the centerpiece of this impressive album and the arranger Knoel Scott wrote the lyrics himself. We are thrilled to have the incomparable Neneh Cherry, stepdaughter of legendary jazz musician Don Cherry, lend her unmistakable voice to this song.

“It’s gorgeous! Neneh is a jazz singer now! Sounds like something Nina Simone might have done.” – David Byrne

The 7” single is limited to 300 copies, numbered, and comes in a chic screen-printed cover …

I first encountered Pascal Comelade’s music thirty years ago—and nothing has sounded quite the same since. I was immediately captivated: he is an artist like no other, whose sincere and selfless love of music is always evident, especially in his tender reworkings of other people’s songs.

Comelade seems to work like a watchmaker: meticulous, precise, and obsessive—yet always drifting into something dreamlike. His music opens hidden doors, telling strange and beguiling stories filled with obscurity, kindness, and reserved humour.

Back then, my fascination was instinctive. Today, with a few more words at my disposal, I look to this exceptional 70-year-old French musician and feel exactly the same pull.

Métaphysique Du Hit-Parade is the first vinyl compilation devoted to Pascal Comelade’s favourite cover versions. It spans a forty-year career and traces sixty years of rock and roll history along the way. “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” becomes a soft, soothing lullaby that may well have made the Ramones weep. Then there are his idiosyncratic tributes to Jonathan Richman (“Egyptian Reggae”) and The Kinks (“Sunny Afternoon”), alongside nods to formative heroes such as The Gun Club, Captain Beefheart, and MC5.

Two exclusive recordings stand out particularly: Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country” and Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”—a song that shaped my early youth. Both were recorded especially for this release.

Jan Lankisch, January 2026

Strut Records proudly presents the first definitive expanded reissue of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Sun Ra’s 1977 session recorded at the Bluebird in Bloomington, Indiana, presented across three Vinyl LPs or as a two CD set.

The Arkestra were at the peak of their powers in 1977, releasing revered albums like The Soul Vibration Of Man and My Favorite Things with Arkestra regulars Marshall Allen, Danny Ray Thompson, Michael Ray and Luqman Ali among the core musicians. Ra also continued his touring in Europe with historic gigs in Italy. During this period, Arkestra live performances were often loosely structured into thematic blocks that moved from reflections on jazz history to cosmic “space narrative” sections featuring collective chants, extended Africa/Egypt-inspired grooves and selections from the Great American Songbook. This recording brings in all of these features with re-imagined versions of standards like ‘Take The “A” Train’, ‘St. Louis Blues’ and title track ‘Over The Rainbow’ alongside rarely recorded Ra compositions like ‘Make Another Mistake’ and ‘Amen Meni Many Amens’. Ra conducted improvisations to guide the listener seamlessly from one musical scene to the next. As Sun Ra himself described it: “It’s like a party—we enjoy ourselves and everybody’s invited to enjoy it with us.”

The original version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow assembled a handful of clearly delineated tracks drawn from the flow of two complete concert recordings, re-arranged out of sequence. Strut’s new edition restores previously excised material and preserves more of the natural transitions between pieces, offering a fuller glimpse into the distinctive aesthetic of Sun Ra and his Arkestra.

This definitive reissue is pressed across two CDs, or three vinyl LPs housed in a triple gatefold sleeve, newly remastered by Technology Works from the original source tapes and features extensive new liner notes by Chris Cutler alongside video stills from the original concert.

Repress of the 13th chapter of this highly acclaimed compilation series, originally released in 2017.

As usual FSOJ is compiled by Compost head honcho Michael Reinboth with a solid sense of leftfield tracks, punchy floorfillers, ghostly, cinematic, balearic, frazzled, bitter-sweet or mind-shaking hybrid tunes.
Several magazines voted FSOJ as the one of the best compilation series of all time. With this series starting 1995 the term Future Jazz became a genre landmark.

FSOJ 13 including some exclusives, sought-after tracks and previously unreleased tracks. Some highlights are: First of all the Van Hai track in a Ripperton remix is a perfect opener into a tranquil music venture. A sheer bliss tune. Montezumas Rache „Wu Du Wu“, which was only released on vinyl before - still difficult to find the original 12“ - is a freaky outstanding funk hybrid. Karim Sahraoui – with a punchy Detroit-ish track, picked up from Derrick May’s Transmat label - is currently in the works with a follow up 12“ later in 2017 on Compost. Acid Pauli delivers a brand new dubby balearic remix, which he recently did for Matanza, a live band from Chile. Peter Kruder came up with something special exclusive, a warm breath in the open air tune, which drives listeners into a chilled wormhole. Beside new names, bigger names like Axel Boman, Tony Allen with a Ricardo Villalobos & Max Loderbauer remix, you’ll find more lefties tracks from respected labels like Studio Barnhus, Innervisions, Lovemonk, Transmat, Mule, Tru Thoughts, Rebirth, Ninja Tune and m.o. next to other exclusive deliveries by Manuel Tur, Marsmobil, coupled up with semi exclusives: the first time on vinyl or digital.

Black Vinyl Repress

This is Partisan Records' black vinyl repress of Cymande's 1974 classic Second Time Round. This album features the stunning singles “Crayshaw,”“Fug” & “Genvieve”. Their self-titled debut was the first UK soul album to land on the Billboard Top 200 charts, and Second Time Round placed them back on the US charts. And in another first while touring on this album they became the first British band to ever headline the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Phoenix Reimagined (Live) by Lakecia  Benjamin, a powerful live studio album capturing an unforgettable performance. Previously available only on CD, it features standout performances from jazz icons John  Scofield, Randy  Brecker, and Jeff “Tain” Watts, and earned nominations in two Grammy categories—Best Jazz Performance and Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

SCOTTISH TRUMPETER MALCOLM STRACHAN RETURNS WITH HIS MOST UPLIFTING AND GROOVE-DRIVEN ALBUM YET – “LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE” On Look On The Bright Side, Malcolm Strachan sounds more open than ever. His third solo album moves effortlessly between soul-jazz, Latin grooves and Afrobeat touches, anchored by the warm, cinematic feel of 1970s jazz but driven by a clear sense of forward motion. Released on 22 May 2026 via Haggis Records, the album sees Strachan stepping further into his role as a composer and bandleader, drawing together the threads of a career spanning more than two decades at the heart of the UK’s jazz, funk and soul scene. Where his debut About Time (2020) channelled the spirit of classic Blue Note recordings and Point Of No Return (2023) leaned into the groove-heavy CTI era, Look On The Bright Side feels broader in scope – still rooted in groove, but more open to outside influences and a more consciously uplifting tone. “I wanted the music to feel upbeat and positive,” says Strachan. “I start at the piano, working through chord ideas until I find something that feels right. Once the harmony is there, the melodies tend to come naturally.” That approach gives the album its fluidity, with tracks evolving from feel as much as structure and arrangements that leave room for interplay and movement.

Olindo Records is proud to present the physical edition of Venezuelan drummer, producer and artist Orestes Gómez 2nd solo LP: No Me Fui Porque Quise.

This album is a deeply personal and rhythm-driven project where Orestes explores themes of migration, identity, and emotional resilience. Through a fusion of Afro-Caribbean percussion, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic textures, the album tells the story of leaving home not by choice, but by circumstance.

Featuring a host of exciting guests from his home country and beyond, each track blends organic drums with modern production, creating a sound that is both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking. The music moves between introspective moments and powerful rhythmic expressions, reflecting the complexity of displacement, memory, and cultural identity.

Orestes Gómez is much more than a percussionist; he is an architect of rhythm and a visionary of hybrid production. Originally from Venezuela, he has established himself as a leading Latin American voice by fusing the heritage of Afro-Caribbean drums with the avant-garde of electronic music, jazz, and hip-hop.

Originally released on cd in 2017 on Rope a dope and Sounds of Crenshaw, this landmark project now receives a strictly limited audiophile vinyl edition. This release marks the debut of Terrace Martin’s all-star collective, featuring Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Chachi a.k.a. Problem and more, a defining statement of modern Los Angeles jazz, hip-hop and soul.

Repress.

British-Trinidadian poet/musician/author Anthony Joseph’s latest album was inspired by and echoes the fertile London scene. Anthony has surrounded himself with some of the best musicians on the local scene, including Jason Yarde, Shabaka Hutchings (Sons Of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming), Crispin Robinson (founder of the iconic acid jazz band Galliano,) and Rod Youngs (Gil Scott Heron’s drummer). Operating as a dedication to poetic ancestors and a coming together of musical generations, ‘The Rich are Only Defeated When Running for their Lives’ is also an almighty jam. Recorded live in August 2020, it shows off the prowess of a team of master musicians from Paris and London. Jason Yarde, who also produced Joseph’s 2018 album ‘People of the Sun’ is credited as producer/ composer/arranger - to startling, albeit intimate, effect. Running throughout the release are inter-connected themes: memory, place, belonging and acts of homage. Anthony Joseph has released seven previous albums - six on Heavenly Sweetness - and collaborated with Archie Shepp, Keziah Jones and Meshell Ndgeocello who produced his album, ‘Time’ in 2014. He is the author of four poetry collections and three novels. His 2018 novel Kitch: A Fictional Biography of a Calypso Icon was shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, the Royal Society of Literature’s Encore Award, and long listed for the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.

A superb Jazz Flavoured Latin Funk Soul album recorded in 1977 by Grammy Award Winning Carlos Franzetti when he was a struggling musician trying to get his first breaks in a tough New York Jazz scene. With a Top Notch grouping including Percussionist Ray Mantilla, Victor Venegas on Bass and Dick Meza from the Tito Puente Orchestra Carlos played all the Keyboards, wrote the numbers and was also responsible for all the arrangements.

Released by Guiness Records (No relation to the Drink) and swiftly forgotten Stateside it was picked up by the DJ's in London's early Jazz Dance scene where "Cocoa Funk" became a must have cut, eventually appearing on Soul Jazz Records seminal re-issue series "London Jazz Classics". It also became a hit in Germany after being re-issued on a double vinyl by leading label Sonorama Records.

Now available again in its original single album format and sounding as fresh as if recorded yesterday from the opening bars of the jazz inflected cut "Beatriz" via the Worldwide sounds of "Sweet And Low" to the Funky Latin Jazz of the title track "Graffiti".

Still changing hands for eye watering sums on collectors sites and now available again for a reasonable sum courtesy of Jazz Room Records.

Freerange Records proudly presents SUN, the brand-new album from Crackazat - a radiant, genre-spanning statement and the long-awaited follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 LP Evergreen. SUN is Crackazat’s fourth album and his most expansive work to date: a rich blend of jazz, house, hip-hop, soul, and funk that fully steps into his own lane as a musician, bandleader, collaborator, song writer, and producer. Early radio support from 6 Music (Craig Charles), NTS and Jazz FM. Press/online support from Notion, Electronic Groove, Atwood, Earmilk & Magnetic Magazine.

Jazzanova released their 3rd album “The Pool” on Sonar Kollektiv in 2018. It evolved from various loose jam sessions, mixing up synthesised sounds, samples and real instrumentation. Many singers where involved incl. Edward Vanzet from Australia, who was also asked to provide lyrics. Which he did creating the song “I’m Still Here” giving the tune a Yacht-rock west coast feeling. I always felt the song was one of the strongest of the whole album so I asked some peeps to do remixes for my label Best’s Friends. German A-List remixer Larse gives the whole thing a pop feeling with an Italo-disco touch in his both versions. While Winnie & Somow from Berlin go for a more organic approach looking for that sun-rise House tune on a beach-rave or wherever. I think this remix package has something for every one in it -

Besides achieving a very personal and characteristic sound, John Coltrane opened the way to free jazz.

FWM Entertainment returns with the second installment of the HYMNS series, bringing together an all-star cast of artists and collaborators united by one thing: groove. Blending house, gospel, soul, jazz, Afro-Latin rhythms, and Chicago-inspired jack, HYMNS Vol. 2 features exclusive remixes, previously unreleased gems, and fresh collaborations from Stefan Ringer, Marquinn Mason, DJ Kemit, Moe BPM, Lavahi, Lionbabe, The Pheels, and more. From dancefloor heaters to soulful slow-burners, every track adds a different shade to the collection.

More than a compilation, HYMNS Vol. 2 is a snapshot of the expanding FWM universe —where rhythm, soul, and thoughtful production exist in equal measure. Built for selectors, dancers, and deep listeners alike, this release moves effortlessly between peak-time energy and introspective moments. This is what FWM sounds like. Own What Moves You.

2026 Repress

Gaudi’s Jazz Gone Dub is a masterclass in genre fusion, seamlessly blending the improvisational essence of jazz with the heavy atmospheric grooves of dub. Known for his eclectic approach to music production, Gaudi pushes the boundaries yet again, creating a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

Four years in the making, from the opening track it’s clear that Jazz Gone Dub is more than just a mashup of styles—it's a thoughtful exploration of the intersections between two rich musical traditions.

Gaudi’s multi-instrumental talents are on full display, and the presence of reggae royalty is palpable, courtesy of rootsy melodies from David Hinds (Steel Pulse), Jah Wobble’s iconic bass grooves, Ernest Ranglin’s intricate guitar lines and Sly & Robbie’s rhythmic genius. Add Sardinia’s Train to Roots band, Manu Chao collaborator Roy Paci, veteran guitarist Marcus Upbeat, Mr Woodnote and Tim Hutton’s brass work, Gavin Tate-Lovery’s sultry sax and flute, Horseman’s percussive flair plus Colin Edwin and Vlastur’s serious basslines, and the
result is a rhythmic foundation that’s both solid and fluid, allowing the jazz elements to float freely above the dub undercurrents.

Despite this star-studded line-up, Gaudi remains the glue that holds this gem together: his production is meticulous yet organic, allowing each track to breathe and evolve naturally. The use of space, delays and reverb—a hallmark of dub music—is expertly handled, giving the album a dreamy, immersive quality. Tracks like Susceptible and Alabaster Moon showcase Gaudi’s ability to create mood and atmosphere without sacrificing melodic and rhythmic complexity.

In Jazz Gone Dub Gaudi has crafted an album that feels both timeless and forward-thinking, a celebration of musical synergy where the free-spirit of jazz meets the deep resonance of dub. Whether you’re a fan of either genre or simply appreciate masterful musicianship and innovative production, this album is a must-listen.

The acclaimed compilation series returns with volume 4! Fourteen tracks showcasing the most exciting emerging voices in Belgian jazz, ready to claim a permanent spot on your turntable.

The latest instalment in the celebrated compilation series once again shines a spotlight on the most adventurous and forward-thinking artists emerging from Belgium's jazz scene. Curated by Belgian tastemaker, DJ and broadcaster Lefto Early Bird, the collection continues a tradition of uncovering hidden gems and introducing them to a wider audience of dedicated diggers.

Over the years, the Jazz Cats series has become a trusted barometer of Belgium's ever-evolving jazz landscape. Long before many artists gained international recognition, they first appeared on these compilations, making the series both a discovery platform and a snapshot of one of Europe's most exciting musical ecosystems.

Jazz Cats Volume 4 captures a scene bursting with creativity, diversity and ambition. Across fourteen carefully selected tracks, the compilation explores the many directions contemporary Belgian jazz is taking today. Jazz, hip-hop, electronic music, afrobeat, spiritual jazz and experimental sounds coexist effortlessly throughout the collection.

The opening stretch of the compilation, led by Brussels-based Irreversible Entanglements band member Aquiles Navarro, Ola Tunji and HelenaCasella, offers an early glimpse into a scene that rarely stands still. Their music moves freely between traditions and contemporary influences, reflecting less concern with preserving genres than expanding them. Artists such as Lupo Spaccaro and Kunde, joined here by the raw soul voice of Fred Gata, draw inspiration from hip-hop and contemporary beat culture, yet neither approaches these influences in a conventional way. Instead, they reveal how naturally these sounds have become part of the vocabulary of a new generation of jazz musicians.

Experimentation emerges as another defining thread. KVR and BREAD FOR PIGEONS embrace unpredictability through unexpected textures, shifting atmospheres and confident compositional choices, creating music that constantly challenges expectations. Elsewhere, artists like Gaiko and VLIEGWERK favor immersive soundscapes that reward repeated listening. Whether there's a connection between musical adventurousness and a preference for capital letters remains a question for future research.

At the heart of the compilation lies a strong sense of movement and groove. Ragini Trio and Foutloos approach that rhythm from different angles, yet both build their music around powerful, pulsating foundations. Their tracks need close attention, revealing layers of detail and low-end richness that practically demand to be experienced on a proper sound system.

By the time it reaches its closing chapter, Lucid Lucia, SLAGADER and Kuna Maze bring the focus back to forward motion. Jazz and funk-infused grooves provide a fitting finale, reminding us that however far these artists push the jazz genre, they never lose sight of its ability to connect, uplift and move people.

The result is a body of work that feels remarkably cohesive despite its diversity: a portrait of a scene that continues to evolve through curiosity, collaborationand constant reinvention.

American trumpeter Chet Baker was a major innovator in cool jazz, leading him to be nicknamed “the prince of cool”. He earned much attention and praise through the Fifties, partic- ularly for albums featuring his vocals. This included his 1954 album Chet Baker Sings and its follow-up Chet Baker Sings Again in 1985. The latter he released on the Dutch jazz label Timeless Records. He recorded the album with bassist Ricardo Del Fra, drummer John Engels and pianist Michel Graillier.

The scent of fresh greenery rising into the air. A youthful Hidefumi Toki weaves a vivid and beautiful story through a one-horn quartet.



Making his professional debut while still in high school, Hidefumi Toki went on to perform with groups led by New Herd, Isao Suzuki, Terumasa Hino, Ryo Kawasaki, and Fumio Itabashi. From the late 1970s onward, he also collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tatsuro Yamashita, contributing broadly to Japan’s music scene across jazz, fusion, and pop.



This album, recorded in 1976, is his third release, following Toki and Lover Man, a dual-leader project with Yoshio Otomo. It features a lineup of dazzling performances and compositions, including “Sky View”, where his soaring saxophone shines over delicate arrangements, and “Let’s Get Together”, evoking the uplifting fragrance of fresh greenery.



With outstanding support from Mikio Masuda—who also contributes compositions—alongside Yoshio Ikeda and Steve Jackson, the ensemble achieves a remarkable balance.



Defined by a gentle perspective and refined, youthful playing, this is a masterpiece filled with the charm of Hidefumi Toki in his early years.

HARTHBALL are an avant/noise/rock wrecking ball of a band from Nanaimo, Canada. Rooted in total improvisation, free expression, and a deeply psychedelic sensibility, EarthBall operate on pure instinct.
They hurtle onwards in a combustion of spontaneous composition, shooting from the hip, as they fall out of the sky ablaze. The group encompasses Isabel Ford (vocals, bass), John Brennan (drums, percussion), Jeremy Van Wyke (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Kellan Maclaughlin (guitar, talkbox), and Liam Murphy (saxophone). Each member brings a rich and varied musical history, with past and present projects including Shearing Pinx, Plan Your Future, Kamikaze Nurse, Eschatons, and Psychedelic Dirt. Collectively and individually, they have collaborated with artists such as Deerhoof, Raven Chacon, Chris Corsano, and William Hooker, deepening the band’s exploratory reach and collective language.
Since forming in 2021, EarthBall have released six cassettes and three fervently received LPs on Upset The Rhythm, including November’s widely acclaimed Outside Over There. Their latest release, Actual Earth Music - Volume 3 & 4, follows the first instalment in the series and captures two mind-quaking highlights from last winter’s European tour. This is EarthBall plunging to full fathom five, transforming into something rich and strange - channeling the fleeting moment as it fractures, erupts, and dissolves into the unknown.
Side A captures a thumping performance at Cave12 in Geneva. Frazzled from a white-knuckle alpine descent, the group settles into a hypnotic sprawl, stretching time and form across a colossal 53-minute set (with the first 22 minutes presented on the LP; the full performance appears on the CD edition). The Cave12 recording is a study in tension and release; ruminative, volatile, and barely contained. Drums stumble and surge, saxophone howls cut through the air, and Ford and Van Wyke’s voices briefly pull together the circle twice, before the tumult lapses into a spinning maelstrom.
Side B meanwhile presents a scorched excerpt from EarthBall’s crushing performance at Le Guess Who? Festival. As Van Wyke reflects: “Having the most excellent Dwarfs of East Agouza play before us only heightened our intention to bring the noise. Listening back, the thing that strikes me most is how we truly were operating in the ever-elusive but always sought-after ‘group mind’. Ninety-degree changes are super tight. Izzy and I are finishing each other’s sentences. Liam’s horn is cradling our outer and inner space. Kellan’s talk box rains down like the voice of a reawakened spirit, and all this havoc is safely stowed in the rumbling ox-cart of John’s solid drumming”.
Actual Earth Music - Volume 3 & 4 marks another ascent in EarthBall’s ever-expanding, totemic discography, an ecstatic storm of raw immediacy and unfiltered expression.