Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

World music that combines jazz, African rhythms, and spiritual elements into something distinct.

Moods

Beautiful, original, sultry, spiritual – this is timeless music that transcends classification.

Thoughts

I struggle to describe this as I think boxing it into descriptors would do it a disservice. Instead I've jotted some feelings in the mood section but encourage listening during evening hours, adds to a warm atmosphere with positive spirits. More lively then not.

Great playing throughout. The solos feel a little too defined as opposed to the looseness I prefer in jazz but each has crafted them so well that they never suffer.

Classic and essential listening that welcomes revisits.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mulatu-Astatq%C3%A9-%C3%89thiopiques-4-Ethio-Jazz-Musique-Instrumentale-1969-1974/release/724788

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwLr7FtBlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZuX3XBGAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjZngfgv10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgilX6AUClY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGeqiB73H90

Spotify


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Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Description: Album Review of Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

quick funky synth pop jazz

Moods

A distinct capture of Louis Cole's live magic

Thoughts

Louis Cole has some of my favorite musical moments on YouTube. He uses the "broadcast yourself" mentality in the best way. To get a sense check him out on YouTube with his solo project, the synth project knower or Jacob Mann big band.

Some of this set is on YouTube accompanied by a large horn section and backup singers. The unfriendly acoustics of the house this was recorded in give it a DIY quality. Usually I would dislike this as the levels are a little fucked up but here it adds charm. He's coming out swinging with a highly energetic set of songs that displays the 'fun' of his songs which can only be captured in a live setting as opposed to the studio where his tracks can feel awkward.

I realize none of this describes the sound, just gotta hear it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Cole-Live-Sesh-And-Xtra-Songs/release/13450294

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kLHN29qorg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEIQQkhyeI

Spotify


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Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs

Description: Album Review of Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

 Sounds like?

Aretha in a slightly subdued vibe. Modern, gospel roots but doing r&b.

Moods

It's as if Aretha took a tiny hit off a joint and recorded a soul album

Thoughts

Great album part of Arethas awesome period in the early 70's. So many of my favorites are on this, I'm not sure why I've never listened to it end to end. On tracks like 'day dreaming' the harmonies just emerge out of the background like true spiritual gospel. Groovers like 'rock steady' provide a nice fun change of pace.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black/release/1884391

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFidgjq9rIo

Spotify


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Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Description: Album Review of Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

 Sounds like?

Aretha in a slightly subdued vibe. Modern, gospel roots but doing r&b.

Moods

It's as if Aretha took a tiny hit off a joint and recorded a soul album

Thoughts

Great album part of Arethas awesome period in the early 70's. So many of my favorites are on this, I'm not sure why I've never listened to it end to end. On tracks like 'day dreaming' the harmonies just emerge out of the background like true spiritual gospel. Groovers like 'rock steady' provide a nice fun change of pace.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black/release/1884391

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFidgjq9rIo

Spotify


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Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Description: Album Review of Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Crusaders – Gold

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

jazzy funk rock

Moods

Don't usually like best of's but this is a fantastic 2-disc set

Thoughts

hard to go wrong with the crusaders and this is a great collection. Lots of funk and jazz flavors but they feel very much a rock band especially on disc 2, I'm guessing the band changed directions. I tend to prefer looser styles but it's hard to deny this band.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Crusaders-Gold/release/5971189

Listen!

Spotify


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The Crusaders – Gold

Description: Album Review of The Crusaders – Gold


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Mansur Brown – Shiroi

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

jazz with an electro hip hop vibe

Moods

Hip future jazz for sad night owls

Thoughts

Nocturnal record overall. There's a certain sadness in Brown's guitar playing. On the title track it can be haunting, letting notes ring out into forever; kind of like a technically proficient version of the XX. Other tracks, 'God willing' and 'me up', pick up quicker with an 808 like rhythm. The sound is defined by the bass players prominence in the mix, gives the album a funky urban thump.

It's a great style but as an LP it gets monotonous. I think with some songwriting focus and additional instrumentation this could go from good to great.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mansur-Brown-Shiroi/release/12800537

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHIrqYdacI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOB6Wk22zG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KNlanLKXWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kxvVtHEe-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvvCtys708

Spotify


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Mansur Brown – Shiroi

Description: Album Review of Mansur Brown – Shiroi


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Max Graef Band – Dog

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Jazzy punk funk by amateurs

Moods

An enjoyable jazzy dance punk record

Thoughts

The basic but prominent bass work give this an 80s dance punk vibe like the minutemen or that other LES stuff like the ESG. Keys and rhythm provide an accessible jazz funk but it remains grounded.

A great hybrid of those two styles, nothing inventive but it's a fun record with an easy amateur feel that's appealing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Max-Graef-Band-Dog-/release/7837490

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXorVKlYj1Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBDwyynSBL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9P5lvySQLo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TRBQec5A7U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RSUcX2zV0

Spotify


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Max Graef Band – Dog

Description: Album Review of Max Graef Band – Dog


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Sun Ra – Lanquidity

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

large lazy bluesy jazz

Moods

Sun Ra at his most groovy

Thoughts

This kicks off with a bore but picks up quick with 'Where pathways meet'; a swinging jazz track with elements of rock and blues that give it a pretty hip feel. It's got an appealing imperfection, it falls in and out of time as if it's of not much importance.

'That's how I feel' continues the vibe but things get a little sleepier. Rhodes solos take the place of the electric guitar and a nocturnal atmosphere sets in. There's some type of hand drum on these tracks and it sounds like they recorded it by putting the microphone in the drum to get this fantastic tone.

A groovy outing from one of the legends in avant-garde jazz.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Sun-Ra-Lanquidity/release/12601284

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=238Dh6N9GLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf-OxkoTNp4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_KLSKSX2PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5vRHbQoTlc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtVmUKcI5l4

Spotify


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Sun Ra – Lanquidity

Description: Album Review of Sun Ra – Lanquidity


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

groovy jazz funk rock (fusion?)

Moods

Crack open a can of that smooth 70s groove

Thoughts

polished and slick fusion that's pretty straightforward rock at times. Lots of brass and 70s funk licks. A little too slick and jazzy at times for me to call it a record I love (that might be one of my problems with fusion is that it sits in the middle) but I can dig this groove, that drummer is so in the pocket it's ridiculous.

Love some parts – keys solo on Georgia cottonfield. The chilled out funk on so far away, an album highlight.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Crusaders-Crusaders-1/release/2447492

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J84IiZ6WfGI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OahE2GGaGq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGlEvEtbuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXsPUB-Qf0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSp5gcFf9w

Spotify


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The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

Description: Album Review of The Crusaders – Crusaders 1


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Tirzah – Devotion

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

DIY R&b

Moods

Somewhere in love

Thoughts

The unpolished rawness defines this album, the beats are sparse and highly repetitive with just a drum machine and synth short loop for each song; almost like a modern acoustic album. Her natural singing voice is subdued and focused on love; often in big statements but never too excited. I guess it's a testament to her songwriting that this works as well as it does.

It's an intimate listen, definitively British and at times ghostly like early James Blake.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Tirzah-Devotion/release/12415861

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZPP38OVT-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA6c0WXGKjU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2EIDPpzXUE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KFvEvRAjyw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWUODt6LJ0Y

Spotify


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Tirzah – Devotion

Description: Album Review of Tirzah – Devotion


Rating: 3 out of 5