Raw Poetic ft. Archie Shepp: A Mile in My Head

Heavy on the jazz with the latest from Raw Poetic, as he connects with Damu the Fudgemunk to bring forth A Mile in My Head. The jazz energy is further amplified by a superb appearance from legendary saxophonist, Archie Shepp, who previously worked with both Raw Poetic and Damu on the 2020 release, Ocean Bridges. A Mile in My Head is taken from Poetic’s forthcoming album, which is due for release next month.

Pan Amsterdam & Damu the Fudgemunk: EAT (Pre-Order + Tasters)

Food and hip hop have been bedfellows throughout the ages and now the rap / cuisine collaboration is getting a fresh boost, thanks to the latest opus from Pan Amsterdam. His forthcoming album, EAT, will see the rapping horns player uniting with fellow Def Pressé representative, Damu the Fudgemunk, for a 14 course audible banquet. The full album is due for release on 24 June, but in the meantime you can tuck into a couple of early amuse-bouches in the form of Rigatoni and Duck Wok, which are both available to stream below. Pre-orders for physical and digital formats are also available now via Bandcamp.

A. Billi Free & The Lasso: Thrive, Despite

The Lasso is back with more new music, continuing a run that has seen him at the helm of some of the most intriguing projects of the last few years. For this latest release, he has teamed up with A. Billi Free, the vocalist who has already had a hand in some of those aforementioned gems, including last year’s superb 2121. Thrive, Despite is our first glimpse of the forthcoming album, Holy Body Roll, and sets the scene with some soulful jazz-tinted production, adorned with some ultra smooth vocals from A. Billi Free. Holy Body Roll is due out on 11 March via Mello Music Group.

Indira May: Simpler Things + EP Stream

Another fine debut here, as Indira May releases the latest video from her recent Simpler Things EP. As you will hear, Indira is blessed with one of those beautifully versatile voices that would sound just as at home caressing a jazz rhythm, as it would lacing a hip hop beat. On the title track from the EP, we are treated to a sample of her appeal, as she brings her melodic strains to some suitably smooth production from Alfie Aukett. You can watch the video above and you can get a taste of the rest of the EP below, with other streaming options available on the usual platforms.

The Lasso, Jordan Hamilton & The Saxsquatch: They and I

Fresh sounds from The Lasso, as he introduces the world to his latest project. Continuing to broaden his musical horizons, the Mello Music Group producer has teamed up with regular collaborators, Jordan Hamilton and The Saxsquatch, who play cello and saxophone respectively. If you caught The Lasso’s earlier release, 2121, then you will have heard the three of them at work together on a number of tracks and now they are continuing that inventive magic on Tri Magi. They and I is the lead single from the album and what a welcome it is. Check out the video above and then secure your pre-order in time for the 16 July release.

Aver & Move 78: Sanctuary

A lovely cut here from Aver & Move 78, taken from their forthcoming EP. I really am no expert on jazz, I just know what I like and this falls very much into that category. Unsurprisingly really, as Aver has always been one of my favourites from Village Live’s ever-impressive roster. The full EP is available to pre-order on vinyl now, with the shipping date set for 19 April onwards.

Ella Mae Sueref: Take Some Time

Blissful bit of soulful, jazzy nourishment here,  as Village Live release their latest Live & Direct single. This time it’s Ella Mae Sueref in the cut, as she teams up with Pawcut for Take Some Time. The track is also available to stream from the usual spots.

Aver & MOVE 78: Middling

New music from Aver and MOVE 78, the Berlin jazz band, with whom the Village Live producer has collaborated with in the past. Last year they released Housecat together and now they’re back with Middling, which is due for a 7″ release on 30 October. In the meantime, you can stream it now in all the usual places.

Pan Amsterdam: Debtors Skyline + LP News

Debtors Skyline is the latest single from the forthcoming Pan Amsterdam album, which is due for release in October. The album is the creative culmination of Leron Thomas’s touring as Iggy Pop’s bandleader, and features some of the artists and musicians he met along the way. There will be contributions from Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods fame, as well as Jimi Goodwin from Doves. The album is due out on 2 October via Def Pressé, with pre-orders available now over on Bandcamp. You can also hear Debtors Skyline below.

Pan Amsterdam ft. GUTS: Carrot Cake

The funk flows free in the latest release from Pan Amsterdam, as he teams up with producer, GUTS, for Carrot Cake. For those unfamiliar, Pan Amsterdam is the alias of Leron Thomas, who blends his acclaimed horn playing with often left-field lyrics, to form songs which I always find strangely alluring; Carrot Cake being no exception. The track is also available to stream now and stay tuned for a new Pan Am album landing in October.