Nduduzo Makhathini
“Libations: Omnyama”, from the album uNomkhubulwane
The South African painist, composer and singer 11th overall effort but third masterwork for Blue Note is radiant and revelatory. “Emerging from a mother song gifted to Makhathini during his initiation process to become a healer, (the pianist was immersed in water in order to encounter the Zulu goddess uNomkhubulwane) the elegant crafter opener “Libations: Omnyama,” relies on a gracefully hypnotic repeated figure to establish its beautiful trance. Makhathini’s resonant, storytelling spoken word enchants as well as heals. It is a marvelous six minutes of utter transportation.” (Mike Jurkovic for All About Jazz)
Blue Note
Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few
The World is on Fire
Saxophonist Isaiah Collier, age 25, has shared the stage with Chance the Rapper as well as appeared at many jazz festivals around the globe. Collier has a deep history in Chicago’s jazz scene. Collier’s first introduction to jazz was a flyer for a camp in Chicago landing in his face less than a decade ago, giving him his first chance at the saxophone. His father, a keyboardist, and singer, would often bring Collier, 12, to perform at gigs, and Collier recalled thinking, “Wait! I can actually make money doing this?” After a few years at Stockton’s Brubeck Institute, Collier recently returned to Chicago. His new, fierce “cold bop” album protests against the violence targeting black people.
Division 81 Records
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Ya Allah Ya Rehman, from the album Chain of Light
Four traditional qawwalis by the exceptional Pakistani singer recorded in 1990 at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in England have resurfaced! “The record’s title comes from a refrain about spiritual bonds that traverse generations: “Every breath of mine, is related to his chain of light.” It was written by the Pakistani scholar Naseeruddin Naseer Gilani as a tribute to the 11th-century Sufi mystic Abdul Qadir Gilani.” (The New York Times) Nusrat’s voice is like no other, and we are lucky to have him back, at least for the length of this new album.
Real World Music
Manu Chao
Sao Paulo Motoboy from the album Viva Tu
Another revenant! Manu Chao has a new album out, offering stories of community and refelxion. “Viva Tu continues to explore Chao’s deep connection to the world around him, reflecting his musical evolution, global travels and his commitment to social justice. The album’s reggae-rooted final track, “Tantas Tierras,” sums up the uncertainties of our current planet-wide state while still holding onto hope. Chao remains true to his signature style, drawing from genres like pop, rumba flamenca, chanson, cumbia, and reggae.” (World Music Central)
Radio Bemba
Caribou
Honey
“Honey is Canadian electronic musician Dan Snaith’s first album as Caribou in more than four years. In the time since his previous album, Suddenly, was released in 2020, Smith has focused on recording as his more dance-focused music alter-ego, Daphni. Now, he’s switched back to Caribou.. The sound is bigger and more universal than any other Caribou record, but it feels like a natural evolution rather than the two projects bleeding into one another.” (A.V. Club) Snaith (born 29 March 1978) ihas released 10 studio albums since 2000 and has recorded and performed under the stage names Caribou, Manitoba, and Daphni.
Written, produced and recorded by Dan Snaith