Crucial Material – Best Releases Of The Week (October 28th, 2019)

We skipped last week so we’re back at it with a double dose of extended selection Crucial Material as picked by our team of passionate music heads.

As always we hope you make some nice discoveries and feel free to encourage these artists/labels if you do! Enjoy and have a great week.

Hector Plimmer “Next to Nothing”

Label: Albert’s Favourites
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Excellent sophomore effort from Hector Plimmer that looks forward, at new ideas, sounds and collaborations, whilst at the same time looking back for inspiration. His bass-weighted soulful electronic sound takes cues from hip hop, R&B, footwork, dub techno, jazz and myriad UK electronic continuums, with flashes of broken beat, Amen breaks and mid-2000s Hessle Audio all rubbing shoulders. There are strong vocal performances too, from the likes of Andrew Ashong, Ego Ella May and Alexa Harley, but on the instrumental as much as vocal tracks, Hector’s ear for melody and rhythm is sharper than ever.
– Selected by Oliver Brunetti

Matana Roberts “Coin Coin Chapter 4: Memphis”

Label: Constellation
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

The fourth chapter of saxophonist, researcher, graphic composer and multi-media artist Matana Roberts’ powerful COIN COIN series, incorporating African American lore and history with free improv, song, family stories, avant-garde composition, jazz, blues and traditions, engaging American history and cognitive dissonance.. Essential.
– Selected by Oliver Brunetti

GoGo Penguin “Ocean In A Drop”

Label: Blue Note Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Juno)

Manchester’s electro-acoustic trio GoGo Penguin release a brilliant new EP on Blue Note Records featuring original music written for their score to Godfrey Reggio’s cult film, ‘Koyaanisqatsi’. The recording compliments the film beautifully by featuring a nice blend of softer calming minimalistic moments, as well as explosive intricate melodies that often create an atmosphere of tension and intensity. Remarkable from start to finish, ’Ocean In A Drop’ is arguably the group’s most adventurous recording to date.
-Selected by TJ Gorton

DJ Nigga Fox “Cartas Na Manga”

Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Lisbon’s Principe Discos might be my favorite electronic label from the past 5 years and DJ Nigga Fox’s newest album titled Cartas Na Manga certaintly ranks amongst their best releases to date. That unmistakable blend of Kuduro, Baile Funk meeting UK Funky and Techno with those loose swinging drums that DJ Nigga Fox and his label mates DJ Firmeza, Marfox or Nervoso pull off so well. One more stone cold classic from the Principe camp! One of my favourite club releases this year no doubt.
– Selected by Lexis

Zackey Force Funk “4 x 4 Scorpion”

Label: Hit+Run
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Another Zackey Force Funk album full of whispery vocals over perfectly matched modern funk beats, contributed by the likes of XL Middleton, Brian Ellis, Trailer Limon, Salva and Diamond Ortiz, full of mid tempo jams with more bounce to the ounce, like ”Glide Through Galaxy”. Electro aficionados will appreciate the Egyptian Lover tribute, but album closer “Seeing Sound of a Thousand Suns” is synth heaven.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Sun Ra Arkestra “Live in Kalisz 1986”

Label: Lanquidity Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

London’s Lanquidity Records releases on vinyl for the first time ever, Sun Ra Arkestra’s – now considered a classic – legendary 1986 performance in Kalisz, Poland. This ten-track live recording, which was discovered three decades after the actual performance, took place during the Cold War when the Soviet Union still occupied Poland, and the country was largely separated from the West. During the concert, the group performed a number of avant improvisational instrumentals, as well as classic Sun Ra compositions “Discipline 27-II,” “Yeah Man!”, and “Children of the Sun,” as well as incredible cosmic versions of jazz standards “Prelude to a Kiss”, and “Mack the Knife”.
– Selected by TJ Gorton

Mark de Clive-Lowe “Church Sessions”

Label: WorldGalaxy / AlphaPup
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

It’s been quite a busy year for Mark de Clive-Lowe. Already he has released two recordings with his brand new Japanese cosmic jazz group Rōnin Arkestra, and two additional albums that made up his ‘Heritage’ project. For his final release of 2019, the Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and producer presents his ‘CHURCH Sessions’, which MdCL describes as “equal parts jazz club, dance party and live remix experiment.” The brilliant thirteen-track album, curated and produced by MdCL, truly captures the essence of the groundbreaking party and features some of the best collaborative moments that have taken place from artists all over the world.
– Selected by TJ Gorton

XL Middleton “2 Minutes Till Midnight Instrumentals”

Label : Mo Funk Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

After the success of his latest “2 Minutes Till Midnight” LP, XL Middleton treats us with the full instrumentals versions of his most accomplished project up to date. Modern Funk and G-Funk vibes, all killers, no fillers.
– Selected by Walla P

Teddy Mike “Dynamite”

Label: Neon Finger
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Teddy Mike returns with his second LP “Dynamite”, released via the Spanish label Neon Finger. The French producer, who now resides in Vancouver, delivers a stellar Modern Funk album, staying true to his roots and influences, which is that authentic 80’s Funk sound.
– Selected by Walla P

Waajeed “Hocus Pocus”

Label: Deviation
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

For the past couple years Waajeed has been putting out some of the most progressive techno out there reminding cats outside of Detroit where the hell it came from in the first place. Hocus Pocus is another winner. Hi-tech soul at its finest
– Selected by Lexis

Hanna “I Needed/Intercession On Behalf”

Label : Melodies International
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Another quality reissue from the good folks at Melodies International. Previously released in 2004, solely on CD format, this 12″ from Warren Harris aka Hanna catches a second wind. Great House vibes with a touch of Jazz.
– Selected by Walla P

Hieroglyphic Being “Synth Expressionism​/​Rhythmic Cubism”

Label: On The Corner Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

On The Corner strike again! No small task, they deliver a 5-track mini-album of simultaneously highly experimental and yet also incredibly absorbing tracks, from electronic maverick and avant garde outsider artist, Hieroglyphic Being. The effect is sublime. Slices of electronic heaven, straight from the drum machine and keyboards. Shattered snares, polyphonic rhythms and bubbling arpeggios that build and build, like passing clouds. Crucial listening for sure!
– Selected by Oliver Brunetti

Levitation Orchestra “Inexpressible Infinity”

Label: Astigmatic Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Superb debut album from London’s 13-piece Levitation Orchestra, led by Cykada trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, featuring harp, vocals, violin, cello, guitar, a double sax line, etc. Taking inspiration from not only the spiritual jazz canon of Strata East, Alice Coltrane, et al, but also Polish legends such as Michal Urbaniak, alongside fusion and folk, these songs were written collectively, before being honed on stage and recorded. The breadth and international diversity of talent in this incredible group of established and upcoming London-based musicians is a testament to the creativity London still seems to attract, nurture and inspire.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Natural Lateral “Cogito Ergo Jam”

Label: Social Joy
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Excellent contemporary mini-album for fans of jazz funk legends such Azymuth, Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith. Groove after addictive groove from this mysterious group of musicians, that includes vibes, drums, keys, sax and plenty of bass. A must listen for fans of the aforementioned.
– Selected by Oli Brunetti

Various Artists “Pour Me a Grog: The Funaná Revolt in 1990s Cabo Verde”

Label: Ostinato Records
Buy: Physical & Digital (via Bandcamp)

Although many labels like to act as if they “discovered” Funana, Cape Verde’s infectious indigenous musical genre, and many stories are weaved into release press kits, the reality remains it’s incredible to have access to so much of this sweet music. This release highlights the 90s period where more modern drum sounds and a democratic energy made funana more accessible and contagious as one of the only traditional music styles to have sounded better in the pre 2k era. Discover a new sound and judge it on its musical merit. As the good folks at Ostinato say, listen carefully and dance recklessly.
– Selected by Asma

Bobby Oroza “This Love Instrumentals”

Label: Big Crown Records
Buy: Vinyl (via Fatbeats)

When Bobby Oroza and Cold Diamond & Mink production got together they created Helsinki Soul magic in the now established tradition of Timmion Records. When newer sweet soul bands release instrumental versions we can appreciate the intricacy of the melodies and prowess of the musicians even more and this lowrider soul classic rightfully got the treatment it deserves..
– Selected by Asma

P.S: and then there’s that new Kanye record too…