Cajmere has made one hell of a comeback this year. Here is his latest tune with Gene Farris, which is taken off their upcoming EP, Chicago Jazz. Out January 22nd.
Here are two tracks which are taken from SoulChef’s new album, Escapism. He is a producer/composer/musician from Auckland, New Zealand. His music is a smooth and versatile blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz & Soul. His style reminds me a lot of Japanese producer, Smooth Current. Below you can hear ‘Blind Man See’, which features The 49ers, who are a Delaware based Hip-Hop group. After the jump you can find another track called ‘Tonight’, which features Philippine Hip-Hop group, Deep Foundation, and the beautiful Ashley Robles. As far as producers albums go, this is the best of 2010 for me.
This track is taken from an album which I am kicking myself for being late on and relying on my Mum to bring it to my attention. Richard Earnshaw is a super-talented UK producer who in August laid down a 10-tracker that will blow your mind. It’s a glorious and effervescent mix of late 70s boogie flavours interspersed with forward thinking house beats, jazzy vibes and ultra-soulful vocals. Everything I could wish for really. The album includes appearances from Jocelyn Brown, Eric Dillard, Carleen Anderson and many more. This track however features two absolute legends - Kenny Thomas and Roy Ayers. Make sure you also check out Grant Nelson’s remix of the lead single, here. Real music.
Outstanding cover of Stevie Wonder’s classic Overjoyed; taken from Les Sabler’s new album, Crescent Shores. It has been in the making since 1991 - special piece of work.
Crescent Shores represents a new direction for acclaimed guitarist Les Sabler as he performs on nylon string acoustic guitar. The song selection includes three new arrangements of tracks from Sabler’s “Time For Love” album, as well as, covers of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” Sting’s “Fragile” and Mark-Almond’s “Lonely Girl.” The project originally began in 1991, however, the tapes were set aside for many years. Sabler returned to the sessions recently, creating a brand new album from a moment in his past. With elements of Latin, Jazz and Pop, this is yet another great work in his discography.
Sexy and incredibly talented. Here is my favourite track from Esperanza Spalding’s new album, Chamber Music Society. Proper Jazz music.
Chamber Music Society is Spalding’s follow up to the 2008 release, Esperanza, which sat atop Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart for over 70 weeks.
Backed by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and pianist Leo Genovese, Spalding draws from her classical training from her younger years and creates a modern chamber music group that combines improvisation with elements of jazz, folk and world music.
The album also features percussionist Quintino Cinalli, violinist Entcho Todorov, violist Lois Martin, cellist David Eggar and Gretchen Parlato on voice. Milton Nascimento makes a guest appearance on one track.
01. Little Fly 02. Knowledge Of Good And Evil 03. Really Very Small 04. Chacarera 05. Wild Is The Wind 06. Apple Blossom 07. As A Sprout 08. What A Friend 09. Winter Sun 10. Inútil Paisagem 11. Short And Sweet
This is a track which has been taken from Mike Phillips’ new album, M.P.3. It features the legendary Stevie Wonder and is everything that Jazz music should be. Sexy, soulful and uplifting. Simply wonderful.
George Duke is an artist that I grew up on as a child and is a pioneer of music. The new album revisits the synthesizer sound that characterized some of his most memorable recordings from the golden age of funk and soul. This song is classic Duke.
This track is ‘A Prayer For Haiti’ and is taken from Albright’s new album, Pushing The Envelope. Featuring the jazz legend George Duke, it is by far and away the most touching and fitting tribute I’ve heard for the tragedy that took place in January this year.
New track taken from Smooth Current’s latest album, Scenes From Life. Starring as ShinSight Trio; this is the only non-instrumental track on the album. He fuses hip-hop grooves with an essence of jazz better than anyone else I know. Beautiful music.
P.S. Shallow Nights Blurry Moon by ShinSight Trio is one of the most under-rated Hip-Hop records of all time.