Greetings and smellutations, cats and kittens! Hoo boy, we gots ourselves a humdinger of a New Release week, and I have twelve titles to dazzle your senses. Do it to it!
I’ve got a dancefloor filler from Brazil to start the week. A single released in conjunction with London’s Jazz Room Records features a terrific band performing Brazilian Funk. The two tracks onGoma Laca EPare performed by Afrobrasilidades. They are led by the amazing Juçara Marçal on vocals, who released my favourite album of 2021, Delta Estácio Blues. You gotta get up to get down!
And then, as if on cue, there’s a new remix album for Juçara Marçal’s Delta Estácio Blues. Fifteen tracks, taken from the original album and the follow-up EPDEB are included on DEBRMX. Remixes from the likes of Chrisman, Moor Mother, and VHOOR are giving the dancefloor a workout.
Eagle-eyed readers will note that the Juçara Marçal remix album actually came out last week. It is literally impossible to find everything that comes out in a given week, so I’ve given myself parameters within which to search for New Music. One such parameter is that once I have entered a new Release Week, I don’t include titles that came out previously in my search. Seeing as I’ve already broken that rule this week, I’ve decided to double down on it.
Another title that came out last week comes from Portugal. Ana Lua Caiano is a multi-instrumentalist and Electronic Producer. Her debut album, Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado sees the Artist incorporating traditional Folk elements with ambitious Björk-inspired Production. Charming harmonies, and yet another reason for me to continue my Portuguese lessons.
Glass Beams is a trio from Melbourne, Australia that was founded by Rajan Silva, who immigrated to Australia with his family as a child. Ninja Tune Records has just released their second album, Mahal. Steeped in Psychedelia, it incorporates traditional instrumentation with soulful grooves.
An Artist I’ve grown fond of over these past few years exploring New Music is London Percussionist and Composer Valentina Magaletti. Between her various collaborations (Vanishing Twin, Holy Tongue, and more) and her solo work, she transcends norms on the regular. Her latest is LUCHA LIBRE; a four-song EP that takes a disorienting journey of Field Recordings and loops, before closing with the upbeat and groovy DRUM JUMP.
A noisy Punk band representing the Wyoming Hardcore scene released a “sneeze-and-you-miss-it” EP. AWFUL’s 4 SONGSclocks in at less than four minutes. It’s a sharp jolt of energy, with urgent vocals and ripping bass play.
At twelve minutes, this next release is practically luxurious in its scope by comparison. Portland’s THE CELEBRITIES is a collaboration between Joe Sussman and Kel Mason. On the seven-song Redd Karpet they channel 60’s Bubblegum with gritty garage production.
A duo from the Washington, DC area got my attention this week with their latest release. model home utilizes samplers, tape and voice to create a deliciously lo-fi atmosphere. The six tracks onNECROLYFwere recorded on March 5 of this year and elicit a rudimentary Hip-Hop vibe, seeped in distortion.
Scott Harren is an eclectic and innovative Electronic Producer from Miami. As Prefuse 73, he has collaborated with the likes of Mos Def and Aesop Rock. His new album, New Strategies For Modern Crime Vol. 1 is a strictly solo effort with an evocative Cool Jazz feel for the After Party.
An Electronic band from Sweden released their fourth album since their 2014 debut. Les Big Byrd is led by Jocke Åhlund, and Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Raincontains six tracks, including two extended jams. Entrancing and absorbing.
I discovered Julia Holter via the pre-release single Sun Girl for her new album. Turns out that Something In The Room She Movesis her sixth album for the LA native, and I just haven’t been paying attention. I’ve been captivated by her sweeping vocals and captivating Production.
If you’ve seen recent photos or video taken in Gary, Indiana, you’d be forgiven if you got the impression that it is a Ghost Town. Abandoned factories and houses dot the landscape. However, there is still life emanating from that particular slice of America. Jerrilynn Patton performs as Jlin, and is a Composer and Electronic Producer (and former steel factory worker). Her latest album is Akoma. Intriguing rhythm-play is at work here, with Deep Bass and many twists and turns. Guests include Björk, Philip Glass, and Kronos Quartet. It’s my Feature Pick for this week.
If you made it this far, look under your chair, you’ve won a prize! I’m only joking, but if you looked, I have to say that I worry about you sometimes.
A great good day to all of you, friends! Hope you’re doing well. Are you ready for some new Music? I have eight titles to lay on you today, so let’s get right down to it.
I have an EP to start this week’s findings. It’s from a trio from London called PLAY DEAD. Active since 2020, Fly On The Wall is their third EP. Five tracks of sharp Punk, with plundering bass and snot-nosed vocals.
Next up is a DJ from Portugal that is back for their second residence at My Imaginary Nightclub. DJ N***a Fox’s Chá Pretostarts off with intriguing atmospherics before it slowly builds to a warm invitation to the dancefloor.
There exists an MC and Producer from New York known as Beans. Robert Stewart II used to be a part of left-field Hip-Hop group Anti-Pop Consortium and has been a solo act since 2003. His new album, ZWAARDis dense with deep bass and loose beats. Beans’ rhymes are thought-provoking and clever.
I’m taking a header in this next album, even though it hasn’t been released in its entirety yet. It’s a Hip-Hop record made in collaboration with MC Juice, All Natural, and Georgia Anne Muldrow. The two pre-release singles for CALIsthenics’ self-titled debut are classic Boom-Bap with speedy rhymes and bumping production.
Beige Banquet are a quintet from London that released their second album on Wednesday, though it’s their first as a full band. Ornamental Hermit showcases a tight, energetic, Krautrock vibe, guitar-driven and led by the Peter Murphy-esque vocals of Tom Brierley.
Marla Hansen is a Singer-Songwriter and violinist based in Berlin. On her second full-length, Salt, Hansen took co-production duties to expand her aural template to include bubbling synths and digital beats. Charming.
Continuing the run in 2024 with New Music from UK “Lad Rockers” (Yard Act, IDLES) is a quartet from the South coast called Kid Kapichi. Led by vocalist Jack Wilson, and taking on topics as aging, gentrification, the downfall of the patriarchy, There Goes The Neighbourhood is eleven tracks of punchy Rock and clever lyrics.
My Feature Pick this week is a two-piece from Japan. ZARIGANI$ features bass and drums and harmony vocals. Their new EP, Wonder Holeis ripping, raw, and fun Rock, riff-heavy and rapid-fire.
It’s Friday, people! My favourite day of the week, because it brings with it so many lovely new pieces of New Music to sink my ears into.
I was able to nail down nine titles to compile and recommend to you, in the spirit of Sharing. Let’s get right down to it!
A single to start our findings for this week comes the large ensemble out of São Paulo, Brazil known as Barbatuques. Active for nearly thirty years, they are back with a lively and rhythmic groove to put a bounce in your step. O Anelwill make you happy.
Another large ensemble, though this one comes from Los Angeles, California, is also ringing in my ears. Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra is a Free-Jazz group that has been active for over sixty years, and now is capably led by Mekala Session. Their latest, 60 Years, is a celebration of their longevity, while looking forward to the future.
Spoon is a five-piece combo from Austin, Texas that was founded back in 1993. They are still going strong and have just released a new three-song EP. The fire in the belly is still burning bright with the three vibrant songs on Memory Dust
A guitarist and producer from Sacramento, California released his third album this week. Joshua Chuquimia Crampton has grabbed my attention with Profundo Amor, an eleven track release of instrumental exploration. An adventurous listen that always keeps you guessing.
Consequentialis the name of Samuel Sharp’s new album. This completely solo album was self-produced by the English saxophonist and composer. Across nine tracks, Sharp’s ambitious melodies shine, and they are performed with attention to dynamic and confidence.
A Japanese Instrumental Hip-Hop Producer caught my ear this week. Blooky Jeeky’s Black Stardustis fifteen tracks of tasty downtempo beats with disjointed fragments of instrumentation, sampled to punctuate throughout.
Hip-Hop legend Kool Keith has returned in the guise of one of his many characters. Black Elvis 2 shows Keith spitting bars in his unique style, with engrossing production help from L’Orange, J. Stylez and others.
Meshell Ndegeocello is an artist that I’ve been aware of since the early ‘90’s. The vocalist and bass player has always come with style and grace, and she doesn’t disappoint with her new album, The Omnichord Real Book. Guests including Josh Johnson, Brandee Younger and Joan As Police Woman give it an air of variety, without losing the focus on Meshell’s captivating voice. Released by legendary Jazz label Blue Note.
My Feature Pick for this week does a 180-degree turn from the mainly calm and low-key atmosphere we’ve been absorbing this far. Nyege Nyege Tapes is a Music Label based in Uganda that consistently releases high-quality Electronic Music with a distinctly African flavour. This week they’ve released an album by a prolific Artist named Teteu who records under many names. Currently, he’s Normal Nada The Krakmaxter.Tribal Progressive Heavy Metal takes inspiration from his homeland of The Republic of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, and his new home of Portugal. Ten fresh new jams for My Imaginary Nightclub.
Thanks for being out there, reading these words. Hope it was worth your time, and you were able to find something to add joy to your life. Be well, and treat yourself with kindness. I’ll talk to you again soon.
Holy Hell! I have so many New Releases to share with all of you! I came into Today (2/17) already with a dozen new titles. After the deep dive on Friday I have ended up withNINETEEN freaking recommendations for you and yours. It’s a record-breaking week, even with two titles that came out before this week that add to the numbers. No time for small talk, so let’s dive right in.
Served Hot and Fresh!
BenFolds has a new album coming out! That name may not mean much to you, but he is one of my New Music Heroes. This week, he announced his first album since 2015’s So There.What Matters Most has been scheduled for release on June 2, and the first teaser single is Winslow Gardens. Ben’s songwriting hasn’t lost any of its shine, and this track evokes his best efforts with Ben Folds Five in the mid-90’s.
Ben Folds – Winslow Avenue
A release that I missed at the beginning of February came to my attention this week. Noah23 is a rapper and producer from Guelph, Ontario (practically right next door). I’ve known of Noah and his music since I worked at the HMV store in Guelph. Our Hip-Hop expert (and my former cannabis supplier) Mike was friends with Noah, and he always spoke in glowing terms of how talented he is. 23 has gone on to work with such greats as Sole and Kool Keith in his twenty-plus year career. His latest album is Ikosi Tria, (released on 2/3/23), and it’s a multi-producer affair, with Noah’s lyrical flow providing the narrative. Featured guests include DJ Lucas and Killah Priest. If you like your emcees permanently baked, and slightly paranoid, this jam is your jam. This jam is my jam.
Another artist that I missed on 2/3 is Toronto’s Don Kerr. The drummer for the legendary Rheostatics and Singer/Songwriter has released his second self-produced album as Communism. Lovespeechis ten funky and well-crafted Pop Songs, with focus on boundless optimism. Kerr’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s All I Want is a surprising and fun ride through 70’s Guitar Rock, with sparkly harmonies. You can almost smell the hairspray.
Now we can talk about the rest of this week’s New Releases. A musician from the UK called Montana Pete has been recording for over twenty years. His most recent album War Machinecame out on Tuesday (2/14). It is my introduction to Montana Pete and the ten tracks feature dirty guitar and bass laying the bed for Pete’s genuine poetry of the proletariat. Plus, you can dance to it!
Nic Mauskovic is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist and Producer. He has been recording his style of Dance-adjacent Music as Nicolini, and his most recent release is Sopratutto. The seven-track EP is lively with shifting tempos, tasty sax loops, and delicious synthetic ear candy. Guesting on vocals is Nushin Naini, and Martha de Barros (from IC-RED).
A pair of UK artists have released a project with interesting and inspiring origins. In mid-2021, London Electronic trio Damos Room and Producer LYAM were in the midst of sharing files in collaboration, when the very-21st Century Problem of Hard Drive Malfunction derailed the project. They’ve since taken the scraps of what they could salvage to create EIN, a five-track EP. It’s an acronym that means Everything Is Noise and these disjointed meanderings belong right at home at My Imaginary Warehouse Rave.
An MC born in Oakland, but based in Brooklyn called Nappy Nina has released her sixth album. Mourning Dueis divinely-produced, with skittish beats and microsamples. Nina’s flow is on point. Featured guests include JusMoni and Moor Mother.
Now we shall wander into something a little more esoteric. When I saw the movie Dancer In The Dark, starring Björk, back in 2000, I was filled with joy that the story told of a woman who makes Music in her mind from the sounds of everyday life. She works in a factory, and the Industrial noises turn into this beautifully dissonant musicality. As someone who also makes music in his brain whilst existing, I felt seen. An album released by Brazil’s great Experimental Label, The Church of Noisy Goat, comes from an artist known only as Radek K. Recording as RDKPL on hej tyme tall, the Artist is using the sound of crashing and banging metal and processed with delay and echo. Sometimes harsh, others droning with accidental rhythm and harmonics, it is shockingly organic, and aurally panoramic. Oh, and Dancer In The Dark? Let’s just say that the charming story of the quirky girl gets real sad real quick. Existentially so.
Ok, so we’ve had our Heavy Metal, so now we just need some Punk Rock. It doesn’t have to be made with rocks (but I would listen to that). I’ve found a split single from two European bands. KLINT, from Schleswig, Germany takes the A-Side of Split with ORRENDO SUBOTNIK. They feature two originals of synth-heavy hard drivers, with a thrashy cover of Government Issue’s Mad At Myself. The flipside is four tracks from Pisa, Italy’s Orrendo Subotnik. What is lacking in bottom end is made up by the charismatic lead vocalist.
Boston’s Pile is a Post-Punk trio that has been around since 2007. Their eighth album, All Fictionis a dreamlike ten tracks that builds at its own pace, with great vocals and brilliant rhythm section.
An Artist from the UK who makes self-described “machine music” has unleashed an excellent long-player. Neil Campbell’s working name is Astral Social Club. His latest album, Occulticsconsists of five tracks ranging from four to forty minutes. The lead-off track, Tintinnabulum gets the show started with lively rhythm and hypnotic drone. The meditative Sines calms the nerves and engages your sense of focus.
An excellent percussion project crossed my path. POSH SWAT is both the name of the artist and the thirteen-track full length that was released this week by percussionist Ryan Sawyer, fellow percussionist and DJ Andres Renteria and John Dwyer from Thee Oh Sees. Drums!
The lone album from among all my recommendations that you won’t find on BandCamp this week comes from the venerable Classical records label Deutsche Grammaphon (established in 1898). A so-called ‘Classical Crossover’ Artist from Tokyo named Yuki Kojima, under the moniker Yaffle, he has been a go-to Producer for J-Pop Artists, and recently created Music for the Pokémon 25th Anniversary Celebrations. These aren’t exactly comforting credits for Classical Music fans, but After the chaosis not Classical Music. The comparisons ends at its tastefully lush production, and use of strings. Kojima tips his hat more towards Massive Attack’s quieter passages, and singer/songwriters like Damien Rice and Patrick Watson. Lovely.
Oriol Roca is a drummer and bandleader from Spain. He has been recording and performing with his Trio for over twenty years. Their latest album, Live At Jazz Cava, pairs them with Belgian vocalist Lynn Cassiers, for a seven-song set at Barcelona’s Jazz Cava de Vic. It’s dark and moody, with Cassiers’ beautiful and altered voice projecting an air of mystery. The album closes with Carousel, giving all involved a chance to show off their improvisational prowess. Go cats, go!
A seemingly anonymous Electronic Artist, presumably from New Zealand, has released a terrific five-song EP. Cartridge’s Sweetheart EP is thoughtful downtempo music that utilizes a distinct palate and smart production. The digital-only bonus track, Labyrinth will transport you through time and space.
I get to visit the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe for the first time! The great World Music label Real World has released an album of their local style of Music, known as Gwo Ka. Polobi & The Gwo Ka Masters are led by their vocalist Moïse Polobi, and together, on Abri Cyclonique, they conjure mystical rhythms, with call-and-response vocals and Electronic Piano accompaniment that reminds me of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters. Polobi’s voice is entrancing.
A Producer from Compton, California who is an alumni of the classic Project Blowed label has released a transcendent full-length. AshTre Jinkins’ style of Experimental Hip-Hop, as found on his latest MISSION FAILEDis shaded towards the mellow, with curious samples and toit production. Toit!
Stone Filipczak and Victoria Rose are a Singer/Songwriter duo from Baltimore, Maryland. They’ve released their debut album, as @. @ – That’s their band name. While I don’t approve of their name choice, I do approve of the tight harmonies and eccentric melodies on Mind Palace Music. The production is tasteful, with a light organic touch.
My Feature Pick for this week of plenty comes from London, via Portugal. Raquel Martins moved to England when she was 17, and has released her second EP. Empty Flower’s four tracks showcase Raquel’s confident and agile voice on a downtempo bed of tasteful instrumentation. Martins brings her upbringing, steeped in Brazilian Jazz, to play with a subtle hip-hop mentality. I’m itching to hear more.
This week was one of those weeks that makes me wonder if I should post about New Music on a daily basis. But then I remember that I don’t want to. Too much pressure. This is my pleasure, and it will remain so, as long as it doesn’t feel like a chore. When you get weeks like this, that are chock full of yummy goodness, it makes it better to have them all together on the same post. It’s like a Department Store for the deranged, but not like your local Walmart. The harmless kind of deranged. Am I right?
I feel like my age is showing itself in more obvious ways, the more I continue to age. My fellow parents start to look more like children to me, and the disconnect grows between my son and I, in terms of taste in music (Noah’s current fave). I’m feeling it, friends. I don’t even have to mention my legs, which I’m thinking of replacing with wheels.
The releases this week are plentiful, and I’ve been tickled by a surprisingly large number of new titles, and one that I missed last week (to my chagrin). In all, I have ten to recommend.
Let’s do it to it!
Another sign of age; I stumbled onto a world I know nothing about. A world of “mashcore”, and “breakcore”, and about a dozen more “cores” that, to my ears, all used to be called “Industrial Music”. My introduction to this is from a film major from Portland who makes electronic music in their spare time. As you may be able to tell by the name, Sophiaaaahjkl; 8901 has spent their social life mostly online. Their latest release, “Dawn Of The Dachshund”, is a pandemic project, spending the last two years exploring sound design, and using Twitch livestreams for inspiration and collaboration. The resulting twenty-one tracks span a wide sonic scope, from twitchy rave music, to deep bass, to heavily processed samples. The tracks do not have lyrics, but the titles speak to various young people problems, from the sublime (“I’m On My Period!!!”), to the ridiculous (“I’ve Never Been To An Anime Con, And Now I Never Will”).
Sophiaaaahjkl; 8901 – Dawn Of The Dachshund
From Portland to Portugal we go now, to meet multi-instrumentalist Rui Botelho Rodrigues. His music, performed as handwrist (of which I have two) is couched in Prog-Jazz tropes, and exploration. His newest full-length, “Anamnesis”, is two songs, each breaking the 20-minute barrier, and featuring fellow musicians providing clarinet, vibraphone, sax, and trumpet. Rodrigues plays “everything else”, which includes some smoking guitar and keys. The production on this is so tasteful and engaging.
handwrist – Anamnesis
I’m just going to come right out and say it – there isn’t enough scat singing in New Music (I know you’re all thinking, “Finally, someone had the guts to say it.”). I was reminded of it’s absence by the new album from the Jazz Is Dead series, from producer Adrian Younge, and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Number Twelve in the series features 75 year-old Jazz and Pop vocalist extraordinaire, Jean Carne. In the seventies, she was a backing singer and budding solo artist that time has seemingly forgotten. The two producers and the singer have created a beautiful album of new material that showcases Carne’s brilliant voice. Scatting hasn’t sounded this good since Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)”.
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad – Jazz Is Dead Volume 12: Jean Carne
As a child with vinyl records as my intro to recorded music, I relished those moments when the needle would get stuck on a small piece of debris or imperfection. The music would loop until you physically moved it with your hand. An album came out this week by a duo from Bristol with the puzzling names Territorial Gobbing & Carnivorous Plants, which takes that notion as its inspiration. The seven tracks on “Orange Matter Interface” use vinyl loops as their source material, with guitars, percussion, vocals, and electronic weirdness added, creating a dizzying and extraordinary experience.
As the unlawful and horrendous invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, by Putin’s dupes, continues, I’m happy to have found another musician from Russia who is fighting the good fight. But instead of weapons, Kate NV (who made one of my favourite albums of 2020) has come with flowers. The eight tracks on “Bouquet” are a collaboration with Andrey Bessonov, and were actually recorded in 2017, but never released. They highlight Electronic ingenuity and playful woodwind improvisation, blowing the winds of war away. But moreover, they serve a higher purpose. All proceeds from sales are earmarked for Helping To Leave’s effort to help Ukrainian refugees. Noble and awesome.
KATE NV – Bouquet
Speaking of warzones, we go now to Texas. I’ve always had a fascination with Austin, TX., this strange, artistic, collegiate city, surrounded by…Texas. “Keep Austin Weird” is the slogan, so it sounds like my kind of place. It’s also known as the “Live Music Capital Of The World”. I suppose I might get there someday. In the meantime, Jad Fair has been keeping it weird in Austin since the ‘80’s. Fair is founding member of Half Japanese, and has been recording as a solo artist, or in collaboration, on over 180 albums. His new album (his fifth this month!), “Now It’s Back” is fifteen tracks, each clocking in at about a minute each. The subject matter spans the cautionary tales and methods needed to protect yourself from the various monsters and ghouls you may have been warned of before. From mummies, to vampires, The Blob, even leprechauns and space worms, Jad is looking out for your safety. “Bring me that vampire, bring me a stake. I’ll show you how it’s done.” So, yeah, it’s weird. ✅
Jad Fair – Now It’s Back
As I’ve been on my New Music journey these last few years, I had heard the name Moor Mother in passing, but had yet to experience her. I’ve learned that she is actually Camae Ayewa, from Philadelphia, PA, and she is a poet, musician, and activist. She has released a new collaboration with fellow Philadelphian DJ Haram, as 700 Bliss. “Nothing To Declare” is fifteen tracks that span House beats, noisy Hip Hop, poetry and sound collage. Music for the head.
700 Bliss – Nothing To Declare
An artist I’ve never heard of before caught my attention this week, despite the fact that it was their tenth album, spanning back to 2004. Deca is a producer and rapper from Colorado, now based in NYC. On “Smoking Gun”, Deca MCs, produces, and even makes the excellent cover art. Downtempo and clever, he also shares the microphone, with features from Blu and Homeboy Sandman.
Deca – Smoking Gun
It seems to be a USA-heavy roster of artists this week, so I’m pleased to have found this next artist from Uganda. Brian Bamanya is a producer and Electronic wizard. When faced with the prospect of obtaining a modular synthesizer, Bamanya was challenged by the lack of retailers in Africa, and prohibitive pricing. This led him to build Africa’s first DIY modular synthesizer, by teaching himself how. The name of the synthesizer, and Bamanya’s musical output, is The Afrorack. The self-titled debut is nine tracks of brilliant synthetic ear candy.
The Afrorack – s/t
My last pick is the release that I missed last week, and it came from right under my nose. So, to make amends, it is my Feature Pick. Guelph, Ontario’s Eccodek is the multiple Juno Award-nominated project of producer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew McPherson. “Recalibrate” is the first album in seven years under that name. Featuring a cast of contributors from around the globe, including John Orpheus, and Kiran Ahluwalia. It’s a beautiful nine tracks made for the dancefloor. Killing it on the drums for Eccodek, again, is my old friend and former HMV co-worker, Adam Bowman.
Eccodek – Recalibrate
Truly, a weird and wonderful way to bring the month of May to a close. Did something catch you ear? I’d love to hear about it, but it’s not that important. What is important is that you take good care of yourself. You have one job: Do It To It!
New Music Jason’s Picks 