Hi friends!
This week’s 5 selections are:
Weirdo - Emma-Jean Thackray (Brownswood Recordings, 2025)
#R&B #Contemporary Jazz
Emma-Jean’s second album is a deeply personal, one-woman project shaped by her journey through grief and embracing neurodivergence. Written, performed, recorded, mixed, produced, and arranged entirely by herself in her South London flat, it’s a work of total creative control. What’s astonishing is not just the emotional depth, but how good it sounds—clear, rich, and full of intention. It’s proof that she’s not only an exceptional artist, but also seriously skilled behind the board.
Nouveau EP - Soofle (Fnac Music Dance Division, 1993)
#Deep House
Soofle is the short-lived but golden project of Shazz and Ludovic Navarre (aka St. Germain), two of France’s deepest house minds. The Nouveau EP is classic, high tempo, deep house warmth —crisp 808s, earthy percussion, and atmospheric, drifting pads. “Thrill” and “Happy Cycle” are personal favorites, but don’t sleep on the B-side, check it out in the Discogs link.
Straight Ahead - Takao Uematsu (Trio Records, 1977)
#Jazz Fusion
One for the real fusion heads. Straight Ahead feels like a night walk through Tokyo—rooted in jazz but with just the right amount of electric touch. Uematsu’s sax is warm and direct, and Masuda’s keys give it that soft fusion glow. “Samba to Kiki” brings some funk, but the album never overdoes it. It’s cool without showing off—just solid, thoughtful playing with plenty to enjoy if you’re paying attention.
Girl and Robot With Flowers - The Greg Foat Group (Jazzman, 2012)
#Space-Age #Modal #Psychedelic
Girl and Robot With Flowers isn’t trying to fit in any one box. Some tracks drift slow and hazy, like memories resurfacing, while others hit harder—tight grooves, bold horns, sudden bursts of energy. Greg Foat moves between moods with real intention, mixing vintage tones with a cinematic feel. It’s jazz-rooted but not stuck there—sometimes it’s almost prog, sometimes library music with a pulse. A record that keeps shifting shape but still holds together. Give it a full spin—you’ll get it.
King Master George - Fishmans (Media Remoras, 1992)
#Rocksteady #Rock #Dub
First track hits—slippery bassline, half-spoken vocals, already weird in a good way. Then it keeps shifting. Dub foundation, but twisted through ska, jazz, and something more chaotic. King Master George feels like a band in motion—testing stuff, throwing paint. Some tracks land, others spiral, but it’s never boring.
That’s all for this week. I hope you enjoyed the selections.
Have a great weekend!
Stay groovy,
Dudier
