Joel Ross
The Parable Of The Poet

The Italian percussionist-producer-composer Tommaso Cappellato will release his seventh album as a bandleader, “Pioneered”, which was recorded during the artist’s month-long residency at the venerable Brooklyn contemporary arts space Pioneer Works, in 2018. Pioneered features contributions from a multicultural and sonically diverse cast of electronic, jazz, and experimental players whose own work and ideas about music communities naturally inform Cappellato’s. The impressive list of contributors to “Pioneered” includes Shahzad Ismaily, jaimie branch, Val Jeanty, Afrikan Sciences, Michael Blake, Yusuke Yamamoto, Donato Dozzy, and others. Pioneered also marks the rst release on Cappellato’s Domanda Music label, devoted to a global-minded eclecticism, rhythm, improvisation and joy.“Domanda” is the Italian word for “question” and the label’s mission is to inspire people to ask deeper questions. A Los Angeles-based imprint that has been in the works for several years, Domanda Music is a partnership with Mother Tongue, an independent label, distributor and pressing plant based in Verona, Italy. It is also a familial collaboration of sorts: the art of Domanda’s early releases will feature the work of the late graphic designer and illustrator Giorgio Pasini, father of Andrea Pasini, the actual vinyl presser at Mother Tongue. The idea is to bring attention to specic visual aesthetics inspired by the Kinetic Art movement of the early 1960s, and whose creative epicentre was in Cappellato’s hometown of Padova. Pioneered is the rst release on Domanda Music. Upcoming releases on the label will include an array of styles and sounds from Cappellato’s mentors, peers and colleagues across multiple continents.

Four Flies keeps digging into the secret archives of Alessandro Alessandroni to bring hidden treasures back to light. After two successful releases - the EP Afro Discoteca and the compilation album Lost & Found -, it is now the turn of a new 7’’ single featuring two tracks with a strong soul-funk influence, sung by the Maestro’s beloved Cantori Moderni in a typically Italian harmonizing style, poised somewhere in between gospel and disco music. Both tracks are previously unreleased and were recorded in the same 1976 sessions that birthed Sangue di sbirro (Knell / Bloody Avenger), his most blaxploitation-inspired soundtrack.“Shine On”, on Side A, is a disco-funk anthem driven by a killer rhythm section, with heavy drum breaks and bass lines enhanced by a powerful brass section, string interludes and Fender Rhodes phrasings with a distinctly jazz-funk flavour. In the same vein, “Prohibition” on Side B is a mid-tempo funk floor-filler built on a super groovy bass line on top of which are layered prominent brass and Wurlitzer passages. This is another great find that expands the known horizons of Alessandroni’s discography. And it won’t be the last one...

'Music For Theatre And Dance – Volume Two' is the second in a small series of EPs that will focus on music which was initially created for or inspired by dance and performance. Created as a dialogue with the avant-garde and highly experimental work in dance, theatre and art evolving at the time, the music was in turn at times greatly innovative.That it was created for a dance or performance though means that such music was also often highly rhythmic and a number of pieces from this time stand out and seem greatly deserving of a new context.Whether it's more ambient or atmospheric works or whether it's in the more rhythmic or percussive pieces, Music From Memory brings together another selection of tracks that aims to highlight this highly innovative direction in music.

Wildflower, the project comprising Idris Rahman, Leon Brichard and Tom Skinner, continues its journey with the third release Better Times, setting ahead with a deep, relentless and unique sound, constantly evolving and effortlessly hitting the aim.The beauty of Blue, Yellow, Green and Red, recorded in London in 2019, lies in the openness to form and structure these tunes, whilst a sense of groove and melodic development is maintained throughout. The confidence and versatility of the musicians is key, and so is the interaction between them, characterising a natural flow of unfolding musical ideas and embracing a New York musically care-free ethic, without having to wear their combined influences on their sleeves.Each song has a colour reference suggestive of mood tone and internal balance, enabling the audience to concur that Wildflower is not just a band, it is as ever an experience and one that allows its listeners to emerge and engage in a time where a perfect fusion of global sounds and jazz exists as a remedy, one you can feel and enjoy the benefits from everyday.Better Times by Wildflower is the debut release on Tropic of Love Music.

The innovative, radical soul of Guadeloupe explored across thirty years of contemporary gwoka music. Lèsprit Ka: New Directions in Gwoka Music from Guadeloupe 1981-2010 is the first compilation of its kind to bring the sound of modern gwoka to a wider audience, with many of the featured musicians still active today. Presented as a double LP, the release features a specially commissioned essay by Guadeloupean musician Marie-Line Dahomey, and extensive liner notes from the curators.

Jazz re:freshed is proud to present the Sophmore album from saxophonist Marcus Joseph.The album moves between genres from spiritual jazz to hip-hop and features contemporary UK JAZZ luminaries such as Sheila Maurice-Grey (Kokoroko), Nathaniel Cross (Moses Boyd Exodus), Tony Kofi, Ife Ogunjobi (Ezra Collective), Theon Cross (Sons of Kemet), and is produced by Eddie Nache Hick (Sons of Kemet).Hailing from Leicester and of Afro-Caribbean descent, Joseph started playing clarinet at the age of seven. He originally gained airplay on BBC1Xtra as a hip-hop DJ and MC. He was subsequently inspired to pick up the saxophone and study jazz at universities in Leeds, London and New Orleans. Never one to be bound by location, he spent a period of time living in Barcelona.He has since played at landmark events such as Love Supreme and We Out Here.Marcus has supported the likes of Oscar Jerome, Blue Lab Beats as well as The Blackbyrds and has also worked with such luminaries as Dennis Rollins, Arun Ghosh, Dave O'Higgins, Abram Wilson, Gary Crosby and Eska.His work has been supported by Tom Robinson (6Music) and, his new album released on Jazz re:freshed, is a warm fusion of jazz, reggae, hip-hop and contemporary music.