Jazz de Ville

Tony Allen Hits with Afrika 70 - Jealousy

Tony Allen’s first 4 solo albums, recorded with Afrika 70 at the height of their power as Fela Kuti’s band, are seminal recordings in the pantheon of afrobeat history. 
With Comet Records’ new reissues of these records, we have the opportunity to shine a light on the sheer musicality and originality of the humble drumming giant. Tony Allen’s passing in April 2020 sent a shockwave across the world, as fans and collaborators from Lagos to Brooklyn and everywhere in between mourned the loss of a generous and powerful being, the kind of being we thought would live forever. Thankfully, we have the gift of Tony’s timeless music, starting with these 4 special solo albums, through which his musical voice guides our dancing feet and full hearts forever. 
Produced by Fela Kuti in 1975,Tony Allen’s first solo album with Afrika 70, Jealousy, is like the man himself: light on its feet yet deeply settled, spacious yet bursting with magical talent. On the title track “Jealousy,” Tony is joyously in his element, conducting one of the mightiest bands in the world - he is the head chef, and the band is cooking. The second track, “Hustler,” features one of the most iconic solos in drumming history, a rare glimpse into Tony’s gift of musical phrasing - it is possibly the best example of Tony’s ability to literally speak through his beloved drumset.

Thelonious Monk - Palo Alto

In the fall of 1968, a sixteen-year old high school student named Danny Scher had a dream to invite legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk and his all-star quartet to perform a concert at his local high school in Palo Alto, CA. In a series of twists and turns, against a backdrop of racial tension and political volatility, that concert was recorded by the school’s janitor. Palo Alto is now available physically on Impulse! Records and digitally on Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment.

Bebel Gilberto - Agora

World renowned and multi-Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Bebel Gilberto has been enchanting fans and critics worldwide since her solo debut release in 1986. She catapulted onto the global music scene in 1996 when she featured on the celebrated compilation Red Hot + Rio. She followed up with her breakout album, Tanto Tempo, positioning herself as one of the top-selling Brazilian artists since the 1960's. She continued with a streak of critically-acclaimed albums on which she refined her sound and showcased her strengths as a composer. Her new album, Agora, which translates to now, chronicles the moment in time in Bebel's life after a period of great change. It was produced by Thomas Bartlett (Sufjan Stevans, St. Vincent, Father John Misty, David Byrne, Martha Wainwright).

Ella Fitzgerald - The Lost Berlin Tapes

Nubya Garcia - Source

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia announces her debut album SOURCE, to be released August 21, 2020 on Concord Jazz. Produced by Garcia herself in collaboration with celebrated producer Kwes (Bobby Womack, Solange, Nerija), the album is announced after the release of lead single “Pace” and a rousing live performance on the BBC’s 2020 Glastonbury Experience.
SOURCE explores a multidimensional jazz sound layered with soul, afro-diasporic sounds and hints of dub-step along the way.

The title track, Source (out now) arrives reworked in steamy dub overtones, blending together reggae, jazz and myriad sounds from her youth. The sweltering heat generated in the track’s bass-lines and Garcia’s militant sax, place the track as a paean to personal power. Reflecting on what makes her feel powerful, she notes that it’s also about “being ok with reaching out to people and supporting one another”.

In 2018, Garcia won the Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year Award and the Sky Arts Breakthrough Act of the Year Award, followed by the 2019 Jazz FM UK Jazz Act of the Year Award.

Gregory Porter - All Rise

Gregory Porter, the world’s best-selling contemporary Jazz/Soul artist with over 3 million worldwide album sales returns with ALL RISE, his  sixth studio album. The album marks a return to Porter’s beloved original songwriting – heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued with everyday philosophy and real-life detail, set to a stirring mix of jazz, soul, blues and gospel. Produced by Troy Miller (Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum, Emili Sande), the set also represents the evolution of Porter’s art to something even more emphatic, emotive, intimate, and universal too. After 2017’s Nat King Cole & Me, Porter knew two things: one, he’d bring in an orchestra for his next LP, and two, the music is medicine. In the spirit of that latter revelation, ALL RISE brims with songs about irrepressible love, plus a little protest, because the road to healing is bumpy. 

Since his world-beating 2013 Blue Note debut, ‘Liquid Spirit’, which won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Gregory hasn't let down his legion of fans, whether collaborating with Disclosure on ‘Holding On’, releasing his dance hit ‘Liquid Spirit – Claptone Remix’ which became one of the most popular tracks in Ibiza, scoring another Grammy for ‘Take Me to the Alley’ (2016), or telling his life story through Cole's songbook. Porter is still surprised by his runaway success, but he has a theory: "I was soothed by my voice as a child and I think that's the same thing others get from it. I'm trying to heal myself with these songs."
Not only has Gregory made chart history by bringing jazz back to the masses, graced the iconic Pyramid Stage and the world’s most prestigious gig venues, performed for the Queen, appeared on the biggest TV shows as well as presented his own series (‘Gregory Porter’s Popular Voices’ on BBC Four), 2019 saw the singer launch and host his own podcast, ‘The Hang’, featuring such distinguished guests as Annie Lennox and Jeff Goldblum.

Sun Palace - Rude Movements (Moodymann & Kenny Dope Remixes)

Production heroes Moodymann and Kenny Dope revisit one of electronic music’s foundation records, Rude Movements by SunPalace, with brand new remixes issued on BBE Music’s vinyl-only offshoot imprint ALIM.

Presented on strictly limited 7” vinyl, Moodymann and Kenny Dope pay tribute to a New York Loft classic first made famous by David Mancuso, which strongly influenced both artists early in their careers, as well as helping to shape the early House Music movement in the hands of Larry Levan, Nicky Siano, Frankie Knuckles and Danny Krivit among many others.

Two of the modern electronic scene’s most consistent innovators and elevators, Moodymann and Kenny Dope were selected by SunPalace producer Mike Collins himself to rework the track. Sadly, Mike passed away in late 2018 before either version was completed, but as a fan of both artists, we’re sure Mike would have been excited by both of these loving and reverent revisions to his iconic work.

Recorded in 1981s at Mike’s home studio in London, ‘Rude Movements’ was originally released as the B-Side to a track called ‘Winning’. A true Brit-funk oddity, the track’s improvised nature and lack of vocal hooks initially consigned it to obscurity, until its pristine sonics and irrepressible groove caught the ear of David Mancuso and he presented it at his already influential Loft Party.

Moodymann’s remix retains the ‘jammed’ feel of Rude Movements, introducing stellar flute, sax and piano solos over the groove, while remaining utterly faithful to the original vibe.

Kenny Dope’s ‘Dancefloor Powder’ version adds a vintage Afro-Latin drum break into the mix, while showcasing the original’s epic synth solo.

A deluxe double vinyl package containing extended versions of these remixes, plus several more, is planned for release on BBE Music in 2021.

Kamaal Williams - Wu Hen

Kamaal Williams has always been a man of many talents. From the shuffling Peckham house style of his output as Henry Wu to the deep, expansive jazz he made in Yussef Kamaal, each new Williams release gives us a greater sense of his musical aesthetic while simultaneously expanding his sonic palette ever further.

With Wu Hen, his sophomore solo record, Williams locks down his multifaceted output to a single term - Wu Funk. At its core, Wu Funk is a sort of Millennial take on jazz fusion - funk-flecked grooves often dictate the state of play here, and there is a similar painterliness to many of the timbres and chords. An old-school sensibility is even acknowledged by name on third track ‘1989’.

However, Wu Funk is very much a style of the here and now, one that reflects the wide-ranging aesthetic of the London jazz scene in which Williams has come up. ‘Toulouse’ and ‘Pigalle’ are gorgeous, strutting instrumentals; ‘Hold On’ and ‘Street Dreams’ are weightless spiritual numbers that ascend to the heavens, bolstered by guest spots from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Lauren Faith respectively; the dance-oriented sensibilities of the Henry Wu records are shown to be in good nick on several occasions, most prominently in the ebullient breakbeat fusion of ‘One More Time’.

Wu Hen! Got you all in check! Jazz boundary-pusher Kamaal Williams returns with a set of vivid ‘Wu Funk’ on his sophomore LP.

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks - Pink Skirt

Renowned indigenous soul singer and powerhouse vocalist Emma Donovan and critically-acclaimed rhythm combo The Putbacks have released Pink Skirt, the first single from their much-anticipated new album, defining a new flavour in the feast of Australian music.

With nostalgic songwriting delving into Emma’s childhood and family memories, Pink Skirt is a musical tribute to her grandmother. Growing up singing church songs with her grandparents on the North Coast of New South Wales, Emma’s recollections of the past form the yearning and heartfelt masterpiece that is Pink Skirt; a beautifully honest soulful ride through the past.

 Emma Donovan & The Putbacks first burst onto the scene together with 2014’s epic Dawn which won fans all over the world. Since then, Emma Donovan has toured and recorded with Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Paul Kelly and Spinifex Gum, while The Putbacks released their debut self-titled album in 2018.

Following on from the successful collaboration with Dawn, the new album highlights the band’s shared love for classic American soul and the protest music of indigenous Australia, with a uniquely Australian accent.

Five-piece combo The Putbacks are veterans of the recording studio, having performed across a variety of festivals and major events for over a decade, establishing themselves as Melbourne’s go-to instrumental funk ensemble.

Snooch Dodd and The Pro-Teens - You Gotta Love This City

‘You Gotta Love This City’ is the second single from Snooch Dodd & The Pro-Teens forthcoming ‘I Flip My Life Everytime I Fly’

The song delves into a crooked, hard-edged library funk sound. Featuring live-recorded BMW revving over stone-cold drum breaks, the track imagines the album’s titular character, fictional Pro-Teens keyboardist Snooch Dodd, careening through the streets of Melbourne in the dead of night.

The Pro-Teens is the mysterious, all- but-anonymous studio project of Karate Boogaloo drummer Hudson Whitlock.

‘I Flip My Life Every Time I Fly’ is the next in this series of Pro-Teens albums – this time, the project is symbolically led by fictional keyboardist ‘Snooch Dodd’, and carries greater sensibilities of the relationship between break-heavy soul/funk and boom-bap hip hop beats.

Maestro at W Lounge Amsterdam

Maestro at Vooges Centraal

Maestro & Bas van Lier at Brasserie Paardenburg

Maestro at the Concertgebouw Lounge