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Future Jazz - 6 Tracks That Show Whats Next

Having launched the Welcome to Jazz Club playlist series back in 2010 which primarily showcased music from 1965-1980, I thought It would be a good idea to show where the future of jazz might be going and so created this playlist of Future Jazz, showcasing the talents of the next generation of Jazz Musicians.

Here’s 5 of my top picks from this playlist, feel free to leave me a comment on your favourite from the playlist!

Allysha Joy- FNFL

Newly signed to Gondwana Records , Allysha Joy caught my attention with her stunning new album Acadie: Raw which wide and varied journey into various aspects of jazz belies her relatively young age, essential new release. 

Makaya McCraven - Young Genius

The French beat-scientists work is second to none as this piece eloquently and aurally describes a fusion of hip hop beats and spiritual jazz as interwoven, inseparable beings- joyful. 

 

Momo Pixel- Weak

Is it house? Is it jazz? Or maybe it simply lives in its own extra terrestrial sphere, lifting us off planet earth for a moment or two.

Ashley Henry- The World Is Yours

Ashley Henry's take on the Nas classic has depth, has several movements and dare I say it, it expands on the backbone of the original. A deeply satisfying listen and a real talent to watch out for over the next months and years. 

Star The Moonlight- Don’t You Think You Wanna

As taken from mini album Haven’t You Heard, Don’t You Think You Wanna was the track which tipped me over the edge into making this playlist and showcases an up and coming Neo soul / Jazz group with big ambitions, this is just a taste.

King Billy - King Billy

A collective of Tasmanian musicians who make  ‘soulful organic beat music’, King Billy’s sound is, they, say “a combination of jam sessions reworked into full length tracks”. This seriously groovy self-titled starter is hopefully just the beginning. 

Check out the full playlist here

5 Country Songs to change Your Heart

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I've been enjoying curating the Songs of Sunshine & Struggle playlist since late January when the nights were dark and long.

Now it's May and London is getting sunnier, and warmer, days. Much like the changing of the season, there are moments of radiant sunshine, and then long days of darkness and sadness. Which is where this playlist comes from in its outlook.

Here are just 5 of the songs, chosen from the 250, that have really gotten to me. Some are just about having a good time- thats the sunshine!- but some really identify with those times of suffering and trouble.

Meadows spent years trying to escape himself. He's anything but selfish, so he'd find a way to get away-- a bottle, a bag, a sermon -- and he'd share it with anyone. Underdogs is an encouraging clarion call to those who feel like they're at the back of the queue.


This took me straight to mid-west America, a close community, and a heck of a good time on the weekend


The Minneapolis singer takes us somewhere that people arrive and go - The Airport.  Leaving our troubles behind, she suggests we 'leave our burdens at the boarding gate' 


I'm a big fan of Courtney's album released earlier this year. Isn't the world be better with the Kindness of Strangers?


"He ain't coming back here again, they're passengers on a ship that can't go back from where it's come." - Will Overman

Folk Songs to Watch the World Go By

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I've really been enjoying curating the seasonal folk playlist on the Bristol Funk channel recently, and over the last 6 months, these songs have really stood out ::

We all have someone we'd like to be at home again

The opening lyrics of Overland, recorded close to Bristol, cut straight to the heart. I love the harmonies and unity of the 3 band members here

As a fan of Agnes Obel and Lisa Hannigan Mree's 'In The Kitchen' really got to me. The chorus is so soothing, like Kate Bush but with a cup of herbal tea. A folk song that starts so light then progresses and builds with a certain depth and increasing purpose. A hell of a record.

"Hate can't be the face of the American Dream" pleads Raye Zaragoza. Herself part Native American Indian, she wanted to re-address the balance and like the classic protest songs of yore, it has as much hope as it does sadness. An under-rated record that deserves to be much bigger than it is.

Cat Stevens was there on so many car journeys with my parents so I was really pleased when he released a new album last year. This was my favourite track from his 'Laughing Apple' album