Hi friends!
This week’s 5 selections are:
Bad With Names - corto.alto (New Soil, 2023)
#Contemporary Jazz
The Scottish jazz scene continues to flourish, and Bad With Names by corto.alto is a prime example of its vibrancy. Led by Liam Shortall (corto.alto), who plays everything from guitar and keys to trombone and percussion, the album offers a rich blend of genres. Rooted in modern jazz, it brings in grooves from hip-hop, broken beat, and dub, with a subtle drum & bass energy weaving through the tracks. Featuring some of Scotland's finest, including Fergus McCreadie, Johnny Woodham, and Graham Costello, this record delivers a sound that is both experimental and approachable.
Joy (Hallelujah) (Feat. Lady Alma and Kenny Bobien) - Marley Marl (BBE, 2024)
#House #Gospel House
Hip hop icon Marley Marl is behind this gracious and celestial house music production. As a big fan of gospel-infused house, discovering this 2024 release was incredibly comforting—it instantly lifted my soul to a place where there is no fear, where everything feels right. It’s a celebration of the joy of gospel and the strength of house rhythms coming together. Hallelujah!
Musical Nostalgia For Today - Tan Tan (Rainbow Records, 1982)
#Reggae #Dub
A hidden gem I discovered while crate-digging in Indonesia, with a different cover and a proper Japanese edition’s pristine sound, I fell in love with the music as well as with the title. The album is a reggae instrumental treasure featuring Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton on trumpet, alongside the legendary Junior Marvin on guitar, George Ford on bass, Jackie Mittoo on organ, and Jah Bunny on drums. Warmth and groove in nostalgic yet timeless piece of reggae!
Live At Can Rudayla, Ibiza - Greg Foat (Blue Crystal Records, 2023)
#Electronic #Ambient #Balearic #Future Jazz
This record captures an ethereal performance from May 2023 at the picturesque Can Rudayla hotel, located on Ibiza’s western coast. Known for his versatility in blending cosmic jazz, nu-jazz, ambient, and modern electronic influences, Foat fully immerses himself in Balearic ambient here. Joined by Sasha Galperin on guitar and bass, and Ash Robinson on drum machines, they performed three compositions: “Pool Side”, “Dining Table Grooves”, and “Sunset”. The result is Foat’s most cosmic exploration to date, with spatial synths, hypnotic atmospheres, and subtle rhythms.
Nu Leaf - VA (Numero Group, 2020)
#Smooth Jazz
Nu Leaf is a fascinating dive into the sonic world of the smooth jazz of the 1980s. As corporate culture flourished and a new wave of professional environments demanded calm yet focused ambiance, musicians took advantage of MIDI technology to create polished and quantised soundscapes. “The extra-wide cuts packaged here will be mint for years to come. Go ahead, break the seal on a fresh pack of Nuleafs. There’s only one sensation this smooth.”
That was all for this week. I hope you liked the selections :D
Stay groovy,
Dudier