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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

Too Long (A Short Update)

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Hi guys,

It's been far too long since I updated this blog. Truth is life just took over and I found myself with alot less time to write more extensively .

So sadly, for now, this might be the last post for a while,  at least until my end of year  'best of' review in December.


I'm super active over at Spotify on the BRISTOL FUNK profile so feel free to check out this 'Best of the year' playlist and my others..

Feel free to stay in touch by sending a track and a message on Spotify or to my twitter @BristolFunk83 and I WILL reply!

Bless you all,

Simon.




Recent tunes i've really been enjoying include..

Ray Gun

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Came across this interesting video recently, by Ghostface Killah ft. MF Doom.

As well as sampling an old soul or soundtrack record, MF Doom guests and appears as an integral part of an 80's styled, blade runner esque video - see below. Let me know what you think!

The song is also in the 'approved' playlist.. Follow Here

Approved Music for 2015

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You can follow this playlist on Spotify to hear my picks during 2015!

So far the start of the year has been punctuated with super indie rock from Chastity Belt (Hardly Art), Waxahatchee, Swearin', Natalie Prass and Brandi Carlile!

Albums of the Year 2014

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Well it's been a crazy year! Apologies for not updating this blog more, but i've lacked the time, life just kinda took over. As Lennon didn't say, "life not blogging is what happens whilst you're busy making doing other plans things."

So to my fave records and gigs of this year then, in no particular order..
You can listen to some of the music here in this playlist too

Thanx

Emma Tricca- Relic Straddling a line somewhere between folk, soundtrack and indie, Tricca’s softly spoken east-end melancholy create a perfect soundtrack on which to pause to and consider, or to happily idle away an hour in the afternoon. A beautifully written second album from Hackney's ‘Giallo Princess'.

Honeyblood- Honeyblood Stina Tweeddale and drummer Shona McVicar are two lasses from Glasgow making some pretty catchy and addictive indie music. Tracks like Fall Forever, Killer Bangs and Anywhere But Here lead the way.
Shabazz Palaces- Lese Majesty Not the easiest of hip hop albums but like Egyptian Jazz legend Pharoah Sanders, you can't just stick this on and let it slip into the background. As the Seattle duo of Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire put it themselves the album is "a series of astral suites, recorded happenings". This 18 track odyssey  more than stakes a claim as the 8th wonder of hip hop

Orlando Julius & The Heliocentrics- Jaiyede Afro The Heliocentrics have been busy this year,  and this album recorded with afro-jazz legend and pioneer Orlando Julius has only enhanced his reputation.  Another high calibre release on Strut who had a great 201.

Damien Jurado- Brothers & Sisters of the Eternal Son A real renaissance album from  Jurado, with my personal highlight Silver Timothy.

Jennifer Castle- Pink City Her sweet pitch is steeped in the spiritual folk of Carol Kleyn and akin; the Toronto singers heartfelt album will have you yearning for the simple life. Highlights include Down River and Sailing Away.

Space Daze- Follow My Light Back Home Delightful, sweet and this years perfect summer record from Seapony's Danny Rowland. A super little album of dreampop - watch out for remixes next year.. 

Jane Weaver- The Silver Globe Picadilly records described this in their end of year list asn " analogue synth-laden pop-krautrock-folk epic." and i don't think i can better that description!

Taylor McFerrin- Early Riser Emotive basslines, zappy moog play and good toplines make this album work to a deeper level, whilst Decisions with Emily King has been on repeat. 

Matthew Halsall- When The World Was One “Grooving through time on the spiritual sunship.” (Mojo), this album of modal, spiritual jazz echoes of Coltrane and the greats that have gone before. A real highlight from A Love Supreme Jazz festival too.

Just missed the list: SZA, Mr Twin Sister, Sharon Van Etten, Merchandise, Alvvays

Re-Issues/ Catalogue

Eddy Giles- Southern Soul Brother (Kent) 2014 saw a bit of a renaissance and focus on Northern Soul, and when i heard Roger at my local record store play this, I had to buy it- super super soul from the singer who is became a preacher man. There's a nice video of the CD here .

Brothers & Sisters- Dylans Gospel (Light In The Attic) Alongside Strut, Light In The Attic had a good year with this the highlight for me, the 1969 recording by Sam Cooke's longstanding producer Lou Rawls and featured Mary Clayton, Glora Jones and others all taking on Bob Dylan's most stirring songs.

Marshall Allen Presents Sun Ra Have you heard the latest news from Neptune, Neptune, Neptune? Marshall Allen has and put together this excellent double comp of highlights from the Jazz legends extensive catalogue. Also my favourite artwork of the year.

V/A Too Slow To Disco As purchased from Rise in Bristol this is a fine selection of AOR/Yacht Rock.


LIVE HIGHLIGHTS- Top 6 Gigs
Daptone Soul Revue- Academy Shepherds Bush
Beck- iTunes Festival
Courtney Barnett- Islington Assembly Hall
Sharon Van Etten- Koko
Matthew Halsall Band- Love Supreme Festival
Smashing Pumpkins - Lauren Laverne 6Music Session (Bonus)