Crucial Material – Best Releases Of The Week (April 22th, 2019)

We Cast A Wide Net.

This week we caught a bevy a new material covering Jazz-funk, Electro-funk, Afro-Latin Jazz, Hip-Hop,

Futuristic Folk, New Age, Soul, Minimal Techno, Deep House and more. As always, if you like something you hear, buy it. Your purchase supports the artists and labels whose work you enjoy.

Placebo “Live 1971”

Genre: Jazz-funk
Label: WRWTFWW Records
Buy: Vinyl

WRWTFWW Records releases the first ever live performance and recording by Marc Moulin’s legendary jazz-funk band Placebo. Recorded at Casino Kursaal during the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971, this recording features an extended 26-minute two-part version of the soul jazz groover “Showbiz Suite.” This live recording is the precursor to the Belgian band’s three highly sought-after albums Ball of Eyes, 1973, and their 1974 self-titled album.
– Selected by TJ Gorton

Gary Gritness “The Legend of Cherenkov Blue”

Genre: Electro, Modern Funk
Label: Hypercolour
Buy: Digital / Vinyl
Stream: Spotify / Apple

Cracking full length album on digital and vinyl from the French maestro of electro and modern funk, soundtracking an imaginary sci-fi crime saga. A definite must for fans of Dam Funk (see opener “Back with a Vengeance”), Cybotron (“Laser-Sighted Smoke”) and Drexciya (title track). But Gary has a cyber-nourish feel of his very own.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Teotima “But I Can’t / Suddenly” (Digital Single)

Genre: Jazz / Soul / Afro-Latin Jazz
Label: First Word Records

Buy: Digital
Stream: Spotify / Apple

Ahead of forthcoming album, “Weightless”, London-based ensemble, Teotima, drop a deadly double single on First Word Records. Beautiful contemporary soul jazz drawing heavily on African, Latin and Brazilian rhythms, combined with some beautiful songwriting that betrays roots in English folk music. Teotima’s members are in heavy demand, playing with the likes of James Blake, Jordan Rakei, Waaju & Riot Jazz in recent years, so it’s exciting to hear them releasing music again. We wait with bated breath for the album.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Pepe Maina “Scerizza”

Genres: Folk / New Age / Minimal
Label: Archeo Recordings
Buy: Vinyl

Cosmic synth-hymnals, psychedelic keyboard machinations, tranquil operatic interludes and magnetic, electro-acoustic sequences all fit splendidly together on Pepe Maina’s ‘Scerizza’ – a rarely seen LP originally recorded in Italy in 1979. Thankfully, Italian reissue label Archeo Recordings, responsible for many superb releases of similar ilk, are behind the 2019 pressing of this folky new age obscurity. And, the announcement of its unveiling arrives at precisely the right time, as the listen from track 1 through to 11 carries with it the whimsical, renewing spirit of spring.
-Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Tony Benton & Teleclere “Fantasy Love EP”

Genres: Soul / Funk / Disco
Label: Fantasy Love
Buy: Vinyl

James Pogson and Leolyxxx are on a mission to deliver only the very best of obscure retro-modern soul, and with their latest delivery, there’s no doubt they’re succeeding in their mission. The ‘Fantasy Love EP’, which is the title track of the release and the inspiration for the label’s name, comes to us from Seattle by way of the United Kingdom. Recorded by Tony Benton and his band Teleclere between the years 1979 and 1984, the 5 track EP is a stunning compilation of almost entirely unreleased music. Little is said as to why these silky smooth recordings previously never saw the light of day, but we’re blessed to have them wiggling in our ears now and moving forward.
-Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Quavius “Find Ready”

Genres: Deep House / Hip-Hop / Lo-fi Beats
Label: Lustwerk Music
Buy: Vinyl / Digital
Stream: Spotify

Jacksonville artist Quavius returns to Galcher Lustwerk’s exciting young imprint with ‘Find Ready’, a 7-track mini-LP of alluring Deep House, and inspired Hip-Hop. This, I can assure you, is unlike most you’ll hear categorized as Deep House or Hip-Hop. Creativity is abundant with Quavius and my only wish is that this was a double-LP instead of a mini, because it’s that refreshingly great.
-Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Thomas Leer “Saving, Drum (Bullion Mixes)”

Genres: Leftfield / Synth-pop / Coldwave
Label: Emotional Rescue
Buy: Vinyl / Digital

That’s right, I’m back with yet another Emotional Rescue release, this time from the catalog of Scotland’s Thomas Leer. ‘Saving, Drum’, a title by marriage of the two tracks found on the release, breathes new life into ‘Saving Grace’ and ‘Tight As A Drum’, both originally recorded in 1982. Bullion turns in his take on each, stripping them back to their essential motifs, looping and adding flourishes to a sustained groove, bringing them into the realm of modern club play.
-Selected by Jake Stellarwell

BXP “Islands”

Genres: Minimal / Techno / Ambient
Label: Random Numbers
Buy: Vinyl / Digital

It isn’t commonplace for me to take note of minimal Techno, as it usually doesn’t check enough of my boxes. However, I still explore most genres and styles of music, which, of course, means I listen to a lot that simply doesn’t speak to me. When I gave BXP’s ‘Islands’ a first-pass, I knew it was something I’d buy and play at home during a foggy, wet spring morning. On second listen, I was convinced of it’s ability to appeal to others in a variety of settings. I’m finding this meditative exploration of sounds both introspective and isolating and yet still connected and engaging.
-Selected by Jake Stellarwell

Mothership Konnection “Let Me” (Kon Remix)

Buy: Vinyl

This classic Parliament Funkadelic track that was sampled by G-funk royalty has been given new life by Boston edit wizard Kon. With access to the studio stems Kon works his magic and lets the track ride for a perfectly balanced rework. Another crate essential from the nu-disco master to cop immediately before it sells out like all of his releases.
– Selected by Asma