Crucial Material – April 12th, 2021

Another bumper edition of Crucial Material full of essential listening. This week’s edition proves again that there is still much to explore in the interplay between jazz and electronic music, new forms and old ways, from Kaidi Tatham’s keys & drum programming to Damon Locks coupling live jazz and sampled loops

But there’s a lot more music demanding our attention too, from UK hip hop to broken techno. Here are our favorite EP’s, Albums and Reissues of the past couple of weeks. As always we encourage you to buy digital or physical releases if you discover a release you love. Support artists and labels!

JAZZ

Gary Bartz, Adrian Younge, & Ali Shaheed Muhammad — Jazz Is Dead 6 (JID006)

For the latest Jazz Is Dead release, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad join forces with legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz on a brilliant new album that spans from spiritual grooves to psyched-out jazz-funk. — Selected by TJ Gorton

Kaidi Tatham — An Insight To All Minds

A masterpiece of jazz funk & bruk from the peerless multi-instrumentalist / producer / artist, imbued with hip hop, acoustic bass, and Latin & Brazilian rhythms. — Selected by Oli Brunetti

Various (incl. Contours, Werkha, Footshooter & Allysha Joy) — Outlines

As jazz continues its renaissance, its future has never been more exciting; and Outlines is a great demonstration of the talent driving it in new and unexpected directions. — Selected by Jed Hallam

Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble — NOW

Timely listening combining ensemble playing/singing, community activism, archival speech and sampling. True inheritors of independent DIY spiritual jazz of Max Roach, Stata East & Tribe. — Selected by Oli Brunetti

Myele Manzanza – Crisis & Opportunity, Vol. 1 – London

An exhilarating record from drummer/composer/producer Myele, arguably his best yet, capturing his unique sound – classic modern jazz, inspired by bruk and beats production.  — Selected by Oli Brunetti

Gabriel Chakarji, Orestes Gomez & Freddy Adrian – Ciclos EP

Three of the most talented young Venezuelan musicians arranged a one day session to record four original compositions. The result is a stunning take on the traditional jazz trio. — Selected by Miguel Colmenares

Amanda Whiting – After Dark

Harpist Amanda Whiting steps out from the shadows of Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Orchestra to create a sublime harp-led album for Jazzman Records, leading her own accomplished trio in the footsteps of Dorothy Ashby. — Selected by Oli Brunetti

HIP HOP / R&B

Elaquent – Bedtime Stories 2

Night time hypnotic headnodders to let your soul escape confined spaces. Producer Elaquent comes through with the layered samples and intricate drum patterns — Selected by ASMA 

CSHMR – ECLOSR

Off kilter RnB musings from this self produced artist who brings a unique sound to his debut album. Mournful yet soulful disjointed production complements the eerie vocals — Selected by ASMA 

Narcy – Meme Against the World

Follow Iraqi MC Narcy in his musical deep fake dive; dark web social critique. With sharp lyrics and stellar production from Thanks Joey Narcy offers the full package — Selected by ASMA 

Jamvvis & DO the Outcast – Vagabond Deluxe edition

Producer Jamvvis teams up with MC DO the Outcast to pay tribute to their shared love of japanese culture. Dark beats and broody rhymes balance out in this stellar effort — Selected by ASMA

Bxnjamin – EMPYREAN

Cinematic boom-bap from the UK MC/producer. Following February’s beat-tape, Bxnjamin refocuses on the rhymes, over beats by Dela, wun two, Made in M, etc — Selected by Oli Brunetti

S. Fidelity – Fidelity Radio Club

One of Europe’s finest beatmakers is back with an amalgamation of grooves on his latest album. Featuring regular collaborators Bluestaeb, Abase & Melodiesinfonie, get ready for a journey of 80s boogie, 90s soul, sprinkled with a jazzy beats esthetic. — Selected by Spacewalker

Zo! & Tall Black Guy – Abstractions

An exciting collaboration between two prolific artists. The epitome of soulful grooves. With guest appearances from the likes of Omar, Josh Milan & Phonte, you already know it’s a special affair. — Selected by Spacewalker 

BRAZILIAN GROOVE

João Selva – Navegar

Selva blends his native Rio jazz funk grooves and bossa, with the versatile talents of French producer Patchworks. Will warm hearts and move feet. — Selected by Oli Brunetti 

ELECTRONIC

Prequel – And That’s The Story Of Their Love 

The debut album from Melbourne’s Prequel draws in references and influences from a broad musical palette, combining them to turn in a fantastic album that feels like it would feel just as at home in Ronnie Scotts as Corsica.  — Selected by Jed Hallam

Kutiman – Surface Currents

Sublime and deeply soothing ambient music from Kutiel, designed as ‘practical music’. Inspired by classical Indian ragas, Terry Riley and William Basinski’s ‘Water Music’. — Selected by Oli Brunetti

Skinnybones – SKB04

Colourful yet dusty broken house and techno for your daydreaming sessions. — Selected by dileta

Mlee – Reflejo Sonoro A​/​B

Monumental bouncy leftfield breakbeat bass for the cyber youth. — Selected by dileta

Black Bones – Night Drives

Colourful yet homogeneous and extremely punchy blend of EBM, techy house, chuggy delights and outernational influences. — Selected by dileta

Black Girl / White Girl – Hyper Reality EP

High speed and high precision techno wigglers! As rave ready as it gets! — Selected by dileta

Kʒːlu – Kʒːlu

A fresh hybrid of jazz, electronica, funk, Afrobeat & more, by West Cork artist, composer & former Soothsayer, Patrick Hatchett. Featuring Soothsayer Idris Rahman on flute. — Selected by Oli Brunetti

DANCEHALL / DUB / REGGAE

King Kong, Little Harry, Super Black & Carl Dawkins – Palenque Rockers Vol 1

Palenque Records record Jamaican legends King Kong, Little Harry, Super Black & Carl Dawkins, over classic riddims. Tweaked, mixed and dubbed Colombian soundsystem style. Vibes! — Selected by Oli Brunetti