Jazz de Ville

Jon Batiste - Chronology of a Dream

The inimitable musician and bandleader, Jon Batiste, just released Chronology Of A Dream: Live At The Village Vanguard on November 1. Recorded during his six-night residency in the fall of 2018, the live album is a follow up to his recent critically acclaimed release, Anatomy of Angels: Live at the Village Vanguard, and is part two of the two-part series. 

Anatomy of Angels and Chronology of a Dream are two sides of the same coin. Batiste explains, "My compositions on Chronology focus on thematic development within short form structures with memorable melodic themes, while Angels focuses on thematic development within longer form structures that are built for deconstruction, never to be played the same way twice."

Adam Deitch Quartet - Egyptian Secrets

Adam Deitch reportedly took five years to make his new jazz album, yet most of the tracks were recorded in just one or two takes, without effects or other post-production. Why it took so long, then, is a valid question. The only plausible answer is that the drummer for Lettuce and Break Science, and generally a very busy guy who does whole bunch of other stuff, just really wanted to get it right. And he did— each track on this quartet session, which also includes a core band of Wil Blades on Hammond organ plus Lettuce saxophonist Ryan Zoidis and Lettuce trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom, is masterfully conceived and performed, yet feels raw and natural, devoid of the sparkly touches that mar so many recordings made by finnicky perfectionists. Egyptian Secrets could have been recorded live in a local bar—it’s the sound of a working band—and that’s a good thing. Deitch dedicates the collection to Idris Muhammad, the late New Orleans-born drummer whose funky beats helped bridge the gap between jazz, funk and R&B in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Deitch, too, relishes making connections, evident on tracks like the opening “Dot Org,” which finds the quartet paying homage to the classic soul-jazz of the Muhammad era while staying entirely rooted in the contemporary world. A few tracks add the guitar of John Scofield to the mix, among them the scorching “Art Bar,” the very definition of a funky good time.

Al Kent - Disco Demands Part 6

Al Kent, Scotland’s foremost Disco aficionado and founder of the Million Dollar Orchestra, returns to BBE Music with a 6th volume of his famed ‘Disco Demands’ compilation series. 

With all previous editions of ‘Disco Demands’ released as CDs on Al’s ‘Million Dollar Disco’ label, in 2012 we were delighted to release ‘The Best Of Disco Demands‘ across two glorious double vinyl albums. Taking the next step on the ‘Disco Demands’ journey in partnership, Volume 6 sees another incredible selection of obscure dance-floor soul selected and edited by Al Kent, fully licensed from the original artists, remastered and ready for a new generation of fans to discover.

Recorded during the late 70s and early 80s, the records chosen for Disco Demands Part Six may be hard to find, but don’t be confused: they have been selected solely for maximum dance-floor enjoyment. Al’s love of powerful string arrangements and bass-line led grooves are evident not only in his picks, but also in his subtle edits; removing a hint of cheese here, extending a particularly effective instrumental section there. 

“Most of the tracks I’ve chosen for this album have been with me for some time – I’ve played them on and off as a DJ for years. And though that might seem like a lazy or selfish option when compiling an album, it also fits nicely with the concept that the album is primarily aimed at DJs and dancers. I’ve seen first hand how a crowd reacts to these choices. I’ve bought the records, rearranged the best bits and tested them on a room full of dancing drunks so you can confidently do the same…” – Al Kent, 2019 

Space Invadas - Soul:Fi

Space Invadas is a project of two well-known artists: Katalyst and Steve Spacek. Katalyst is the Sydney based producer Ashley Anderson of international acclaim. All of his solo releases have been nominated for ARIA Awards in Australia and there’s a strong fan base established for his work worldwide. He also runs the Invada label in Australia with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow. 
Steve Spacek originates from London landed in Sydney via LA. He has worked with the likes of J Dilla, Mos Def, Slum Village, Common and many more. He is likened to classic soul singers Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye and has been championed by everyone from Entertainment Weekly to Mos Def. 
Space Invadas album Soul-Fi is receiving rave reviews and airplay from tastemakers around the globe as well as having 4 singles smashed on national radio in Australia where the record has been released earlier this year. The album is being championed abroad by likes of Gilles Peterson on BBC1, Garth Trinidad on KCRW in LA, Tyler Askew in NYC, Andrew Jervis (Ubiquity) in San Fran to name just a few. Getting much love in the US and throughout Europe where the record is yet to be released via BBE Records. Looks like it's going to be a big year ahead for Space Invadas. 
In Australia, Space Invadas have had the cover of most of the nations street press and have been critically acclaimed in all the broadsheets. They have also been nominated for an ARIA Award (Australian Grammys or Mercury awards) for best Urban Release in 2010. 

Sefi Zisling

Inspired by his childhood heroes of John Coltrane, Grant Green and Fred Wesley, ‘Expanse’ combines the sounds of afro-jazz, psychedelic funk and spiritual jazz to create an album that echoes the great creators of Alice Coltrane, Fela Kuti and Donald Byrd, while paving a new path – all catalysed through the trumpet. Recorded as a collaborative live session with all of Sefi’s close and talented friends, including live members: Omri Shani (bass), Tom Bollig (drums), Noam Havkin (drums) and long-time collaborators: Idan Kupferberg (percussion), Uzi Ramirez (guitar), Yair Slutzki (trombone), ‘Expanse’ captures the essence of the classic jazz sessions, committed to the outcome – mistakes and spontaneous moments included.

Montis, Goudsmit & Directie

Just released this album by Dutch groovers Anton Goudsmit (guitar), Frank Montis (hammond) and Cyril Directie (drums). Party!

Release tour:

5 dec: Paradiso, Amsterdam 

10 jan: Paradox, Tilburg 

14 mrt: Amer, Amen 

10 apr: Jazzzolder, Mechelen 

11 april: Vorstin, Hilversum 

17 apr: Victorie, Alkmaar 

18 apr: Mezz, Breda

Slum Village x Abstract Orchestra 'Fantastic 2020 Vol.2

No word. Just listen!

Bossa 70 -

In September 2019 Matasuna Records opened the treasure box and reissued two rare original versions from the Peruvian band Bossa 70 for the first time on 7inch. With the new release, two more songs from their popular self-titled album will be officially reissued on a 45. The songs were transferred from the original master tapes and got a new mastering.

Matasuna Records invited the US-American DJ & Producer Retro Roland Riso to put his hands on the original versions to create two reworks, which are suitable for today's dancefloors. Roland is almost a veteran of Philadelphia's nightlife and can look back on a 20 year career as a radio host, promoter, DJ and producer.

Single will be out on December 13.

Rainer Trueby - Soul Gliding

Former member of A Forest Mighty Black and founder of Trüby Trio, Rainer Trueby presents his new compilation, Soulgliding, released on BBE Music. 

Starting life as a group on Facebook, ‘Soulgliding’ is a phrase coined by Rainer Trueby to describe the more languid, smoother side of 2-Step, Boogie, Modern Soul and even Jazz. This silky collection spans several decades and sums up what Soulgliding is all about: evocative airy music that feels like a dream-flight across a friendly sky. 

Or, as Patrick Forge puts it in his wonderful sleeve notes… 

“Soulgliding….. It’s all in that word, a stroke of genius, no explanation needed, I knew what it was about before I even read the rules. Anyway, there was only one rule that really mattered, the speed limit, nothing beyond 110bpm. What I didn’t know when Rainer first convened the eponymous Facebook group was just how addictive it would be. Several months of sharing, liking, commenting, loving and frantic dives into Discogs later, and Soulgliding has become a thing. A genre? Well, almost. This selection lovingly compiled by Rainer himself goes a long way to solidify the notion and stake a claim on the territory. 

This set of gliders has all the elements; from the slow (enough!) boogie of Crystal Winds, to the jazzy excursions courtesy of Ambiance and Les Hooper, and a clutch of tunes that are closer to the original 2-Step blueprint from Demo Cates, Bridge, Cloud One and Donna McGhee. Then there are the eighties drum machine grooves of Patrice Rushen and Fifth Of Heaven and the ethereal beatless magic of Peter Brown’s “Without Love”. A selection that manages to amalgamate plenty of obscurities without losing the essence, a selection which shimmers, soothes, inspires……glides.”  

Release February 7, 2020

Sidiku Buari - Revolution (Live Disco Show In New York City)

Side 1 is (possibly!) ‘live’ throughout, from a 1979 show at the (possibly mythical!) La Cheer Nightclub, NYC, but very well recorded for a ‘live’ album with clean, bright top notes, sharp percussion and heavy bass-lines. Keep The Rhythm Going segues into Ofey Karambani reminiscent of the Kongos’ massive Loft Club floorfiller Anikana-O, whilst This Is Music and Disco Soccer keep up the 120-140bpm pace to complete a side that rocks enough for the lazier DJ to play from start to finish without lifting the needle!

Side 2 consists of four very varied tracks all recorded at Aire L.A.Studios, the two openers Revolution and Together We Can Rebuild It (Ghana Motherland) being polemics against government and army corruption, and a battle-cry for Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, who ruled the country for a brief period in 1979 when this recording was made, later serving as Ghana’s President from 1981 to 2001.

Then there’s a perennial crowd-pleaser Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Side 2 rounding off with the super-heavy Afrobeat-Disco groover, Happy Birthday.

Originally a national athlete, winning silver and gold medals in the Senegal All Africa Games and West African Games in 1963 and a bronze in the All African in Congo Brazzaville in 1965, Sidiku Buari then moved to America on a music scholarship at The York Institute, obtained as a result of his athletic achievements. When one of York’s music teachers, Irvin Mechanic, heard him singing in the Ga language- he suggested putting a rhythm section behind the songs, recording them, and seeing what the American record buying public thought of them. Four classic albums followed in quick succession, after which Buari’s solo output abruptly ceased.

But it was an ending that held within it the seeds of greater musical achievements to come. In 1990 he was appointed to the board of the Musicians’ Union of Ghana, later becoming its President from 1999 until 2007. In 2019, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pan-African Republic Honorary Award Society for ‘meritorious contribution to the development of music and movie industries in Ghana’.

Album will be released January 31. 

Blue Note at Sea 2020

Blue Note at Sea will return in 2020 with a fantastic program including Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Kamasi Washington, Melody Bardot, David Sanborn and much more.

Moonchild - Little Ghost European Tour

Following the release of their highly anticipated album ‘Little Ghost’, Moonchild head out to Europe in 2020, having previously played sold out shows across the continent. With a unique style of alternative R&B, soul and new-school jazz that has cemented their spot in today’s music scene, the extraordinary tour will feature new music from the band.

Tour dates:

30 JAN   Nalen Klubb, Stockholm, Sweden

01 FEB   Clamores, Madrid, Spain

02 FEB   La Nau, Barcelona, Spain

03 FEB   Le Rocher De Palmer, Bordeaux, France

05 FEB   Kaufleuten Festsaal, Zurich, Switzerland

07 FEB   Boogaloo, Zagreb, Croatia

08 FEB   Porgy & Bess, Vienna, Austria

10 FEB   Private Club, Berlin, Germany

12 FEB   Doornroosje (Small Hall), Nijmegen, Holland

13 FEB   Paradiso Noord, Amsterdam, Holland

14 FEB   Bird, Rotterdam, Holland

15 FEB   La Maroquinerie, Paris, France

17 FEB   Patterns, Brighton, UK

18 FEB   Band On The Wall, Manchester, UK

19 FEB   Scala, London, UK

21 FEB   Biko Club, Milan, Italy

22 FEB   Alcazar, Rome, Italy

Capetown International Jazz Festival

Cape Town International Jazz festival celebrates it's 20th! edition on March 29 and 30

Jazzahead Bremen

Leopolis Jazz Fest

Montreux Jazz

No text needed ;-)

North Sea Jazz festival 2020

The annual biggest jazz festival in Holland. Do we need to say more?