Floating Points. Movement I
Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra
Pharoah Sanders possesses one of the most distinctive tenor saxophone sounds in jazz. Harmonically rich and heavy with overtones, Sanders’ sound can be as raw and abrasive as it is possible for a saxophonist to produce. Yet, Sanders is highly regarded to the point of reverence by a great many jazz fans. Although he made his name with expressionistic, nearly anarchic free jazz in John Coltrane’s late ensembles of the mid-’60s, Sanders’ later music is guided by more graceful concerns. Sanders made his first record as a leader in 1964. After John Coltrane’s death in 1967, Sanders worked briefly with his widow, Alice Coltrane. From the late ’60s, he worked primarily as a leader of his own ensembles. In the decades after his first recordings with Coltrane, Sanders developed into a more well-rounded artist, capable of playing convincingly in a variety of contexts, from free to mainstream.
Luaka Bop | March 21
Live in Niamey, Niger
Mdou Moctar
The video’s narrative is about something intangible. We get glimpses, and feel the connection between the band members, and their friends and neighbors at home through a series of deliberately raw and candid moment on video. This love song’s simple beauty is amplified by the patient, lingering moments that trail off like a thought you’re OK to let go, because everything around you seems familiar and comforting. This ethereal non-linear music video is all about that familiar feeling, and how universal it can be – whether it’s in Niger or wherever the viewer maybe sharing these moments. Included are friends and family in the Tuareg community around Niamey as well as Hausa people from villages in the Dosso region. It shows the love between friends are for our home country.
Matador Records | June 21
Toubouk Ine Chihoussay
Etran de l’Aïr
Etran de L’Aïr is one of the most respected bands in Agadez, the capital city of the Saharan guitar scene. Yet they are also a band that has remained on the fringes, stars of the Agadez working class. This changes in Fall 2021, as the band heads to Europe for their first-ever tour, including appearances at Le Guess Who and Festival Face Z. Etran de L’Aïr is one of the longest-running wedding bands in a city renowned for guitar. Constantly performing at outdoor weddings, both in the city and the surrounding countryside, Etran plays exhaustive concerts, late into the night. Even for a guitar band, they push the instrument to the extreme, with three guitars playing simultaneously, soloing over one another, creating a dreamy cacophony of sound. (Bandcamp)
Sahel Sounds | October 21
Barn
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The grandfather of grunge surprises us with an album that sounds exactly like he used to sound when he started out. And he has mobilized his original band at least as much as possible: “…Barn is probably the least frustrating new Young album in some time. These are 10 cogent songs about love and life, about the recent past, the years long gone and our future, delivered with verve, emotion and snarls of six-string authority. Infamously, Young’s one-time label Geffen sued this prolific but bloody-minded artist in 1983 for delivering records that “were not commercial in nature and musically uncharacteristic of Young’s previous records”. Laughably, Barn actually fulfils most of those criteria. This is a Crazy Horse record that is both raucous and highly tuneful, saturated with in-band bonhomie.» (The Guardian)
Warner Brothers | December 21
Good Morning Music
Team Peaceful Piano Music
Soft piano Music for effective relaxation, healing meditation music
Peaceful Piano Music – for early morning lovers morning music playlist – a list of songs to keep you energized, motivated and happy for the day – It’s time to rise and shine. Whether you’re looking for soothing tunes to get you out of bed or fun songs to start your day, we’ve got the perfect music for every mood. – Wake up to great music from around the world. It’s a free service with a library of over 2,000 songs from over 50 different cultures. – Wake up to soothing sounds of soothing music, melodies and soothing sounds. Start your day with a smile and the knowledge that you will be refreshed and ready to take on whatever happens today.
EMVN | All Songs Are Our Owners | December 21