Indigo Jam Unit - Roots (2010)

One of Japan's finest and most prolific bands return for their 6th long play in 5 years! Now we all know what a fantastic scene Japan has in what is very loosely called acid/club/future/contemporary/ you name it, anything goes ...jazz and Indigo Jam Unit are heading this coalition of joined Nippon forces with the likes of Quasimode, Mama!Milk, Montain Mocha Kilimanjaro, Soil & Pimp Sessions etc. "ROOTS" is another foray into dynamic as well as complex textures of modern jazz and with tracks such as Roots, Voyager and Mony Trick it might as well be their best effort yet!

OUT NOW ON BASIS RECORDS

Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra (2010)

The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra formed in late 2007 when members of the Kidkanevil live show and First Word stalwarts Homecut began a series of late night afrobeat sessions at Leeds’ Sela Bar. It was out of these jam sessions that The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra was born, combining their love of afrobeat with their appreciation of the space jazz pioneers of the 70’s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60’s, coupled with a hefty nod towards James Brown. Individually they have been lucky enough to Perform with the likes of Yarah Bravo, Gilad Atzmon, Jehst, The New Mastersounds, The Haggis horns, Kidkanevil, Homecut, Kissey Asplund and Ty, to name a few...

Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra by djgilla

Wynton Marsalis - Crescent City Christmas Card (1989)

“Because these tunes use such traditional chords and forms, much can be learned by bringing the language of jazz to them. You have to rethink every musical element: melody, timbre, harmony, and rhythm. You have to thin about different rhythms and tempos and which tunes they’re appropriate for. The challenge is whether or not you can maintain the meaning of the song but bring your own personality to it, relentlessly. That’s why I call this album Crescent City Christmas Card: I’m bringing things to this music that originated in New Orleans, especially in terms of the use of the ensemble. Jelly Roll Morton’s conceptions are now basic to what I do in my own band. I use interludes, riffs, breaks, tempo and meter changes, counterpoint, whatever gives the music more richness. On this album, I also wanted to write for more horns because you can deal with more sophistication, colors, and timbres.” - W. Marsalis

The Bad Plus - Never Stop (2010)

For the past ten years The Bad Plus Reid Anderson, Ethan Iverson and David King have broken down the walls of jazz convention and created an uncompromising body of work. Few jazz groups in recent memory have amassed such acclaim, and few have inspired such controversy. Their belief in the band ethos and their personal brand of avant-garde populism have put them at the forefront of a new instrumental music movement, drawing audiences both traditional and mainstream. While the bulk of their output has been original music, they have deconstructed songs in the pop, rock as well as the country and classical music idioms.

NEVER STOP is the first album by The Bad Plus to consist entirely of originals. Recorded in Minnesota with a live, stripped-down sound, NEVER STOP showcases the band's range as well as its three distinct personalities. From gentle and melodic to fierce and abstract, from swing to 80's techno, NEVER STOP is tied together by a group sound that embraces diversity as strength. Ten years in, The Bad Plus is here to stay.

Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone (2010)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and soul/gospel legend Mavis Staples delivers more wall-to-wall joy on her triumphant new Anti- album, You Are Not Alone than any other release you’re likely to hear this year.

Produced by fellow Chicagoan Jeff Tweedy at Wilco’s studio The Loft, the intimate and textured production showcases the iconic singer at her most powerful and fervent. You Are Not Alone mixes traditional gospel numbers with two new songs written for Mavis by Tweedy, plus her unique interpretations of songs by Pops Staples, Randy Newman, Allen Toussaint, John Fogerty, Rev. Gary Davis and Little Milton.

Watch here an excerpt from the making of You Are Not Alone

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma (2010)

When global bass music matriarch Mary Anne Hobbs recently told The Fader “Flying Lotus, for me, is like the Hendrix of his generation” it seemed more then an audacious opinion, and with the arrival of Cosmogramma, it's revealed as a revelation. In the past couple of years, Flying Lotus has grown into the position of being far more than a producer, he has helped materialize a far-reaching strain of musical ideology that has encompassed not only a global family of like-minded artists, but also a nearly infinite palate of planetary (and interplanetary) sonics.
People speak about ‘important’ albums all the time, but rarely is it so apparent that person behind them is following their own, chosen path – Flying Lotus is one of those precious few artists. When one is presented with an invitation for space travel, it’s not something to pass up.

READ THE FULL WARP ARTICLE HERE AND DOWNLOAD THREE RECENT SONGS FOR FREE ...HERE!!!


Flying Lotus - Galaxy In Janaki by Hypetrak

Orgone - Cali Fever & Killion Vaults (2010)

Orgone are back with Cali Fever, their second album for Ubiquity and a giant step from anything they have ever released in the past. This is a band in ascendancy, with more focus and purpose, and gigging like their lives depend on it. They pull on hard-nosed, stripped-down, New Orleans influences on tracks like The Last Fool and Crazy Queen. And effortlessly shift gears through more uptempo Afrobeat and Brazilian informed tracks like Matanza and summer anthem It's Time Tonight. Unlike previous releases, Cali Fever features all-original compositions, and no covers. With lead singer Fanny Franklin at the helm, the band rip through soul cuts like Give It Up and Overtime with a wild West Coast flair.

Orgone dropped Cali Fever, their second album for Ubiquity earlier this year. They have also played a ton of dates including Jazz Fest, the High Sierra Festival, been touring with the Roots, and Greyboy Allstars, and opening for bands as varied as Snoop Dogg, Sharon Jones and Gil Scott-Heron. With new management pushing Orgone out to as many dates as they can handle, the band have been selling out of merch on every road trip - so they decided that it was time for a new album for their newfound and rapidly expanding fanbase. Somehow, amidst their insane schedule they have put together a brand new, exclusive and all-instrumental album for Ubiquity called Killion Vaults.

Latest tracks by Orgone

Tradi-Mods Vs. Rockers (2010)

The Congotronics series has spawned a fervent following in the world of indie rock and electronic music... and now that world answers back in musical form. Crammed has asked a carefully chosen list of musicians (including Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Andrew Bird and many more) to come up with their own personal take on Congotronics. The result is this epic double album, consisting of 26 brand-new tracks from a wild mix of artists. They include covers, reworks and original compositions inspired by the electrifying sounds of Konono N°1, Kasai Allstars and other bands who play electrified traditional music (also known as "tradi-modern").
Most of the contributions blur the boundaries between reinventions and covers versions, reworks and homages. Much like its source material, this music is by turns serene, invigoratingly noisy or aimed squarely at open-minded dancefloors… yet always intriguing and in some way revelatory: this album pretends to be nothing other than a joyful homage to what has become a true phenomenon of contemporary music - but listen in, and maybe some unlikely musical bloodlines can be traced...

Featured artists include prominent US indie bands such as Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Andrew Bird, Megafaun, Oneida, Portland's AU, New York's Skeletons and Chicago's Allá, unique personalities such as Juana Molina, Jolie Holland and Glenn Kotche (of Wilco), London's mutant pop sensation Micachu & The Shapes, innovative electronic music producers such as Shackleton, Optimo and Bass Clef from the UK, and Germany's Burnt Friedman and Mark Ernestus (of Basic Channel and Maurizio fame), Crammed's young pan-European band Lonely Drifter Karen, as well as a rare appearance by the label's seminal band Aksak Maboul and many more. The Congotronics bands paid tribute to are primarily Konono N°1 and Kasai Allstars, but also Sobanza Mimanisa, Kisanzi Congo, and Kasai Allstars offshoots Masanka Sankayi and Basokin.

The album booklet includes quotes and statements by all contributors, who explain what drew them to Congotronics, and/or how they approached their track.

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM @ WE7 RIGHT HERE, FOR FREE

Red Snapper - Christmas Puddings (mix)

Red Snapper present a Christmas Mix to thank all their fans who have supported them this year.

enjoy here...

Twisted Jazz - Snow!

enjoy here...

Galactic - ya-ka-may (2010)

There’s a lot audacious about Ya- Ka-May, but New Orleans is long overdue for an audacious album. In this case, Galactic has made one that challenges many of the city’s musical conventions while showing a profound affection and belief in the fundamental impulses behind them. That it’s not just bold but engaging makes it doubly successful.
more here...

Danay Suarez – Havana Cultura Sessions (2010)

“She’s amazing. A phenomenon. The most impressive singer I’ve heard and worked with over the last five years.”
- Gilles Peterson

Havana Cultura – the global arts initiative by Havana Club that champions the work of some of Havana’s most exciting yet unseen creative talent - is presenting the latest chapter in Havana Cultura music releases. Under the creative directorship of Gilles Peterson, the first in a series of Havana Cultura Sessions highlights the vocal talents of Danay Suarez, backed by the masterful Roberto Fonseca and the elite Havana Cultura band.

Taking up residence once more in Havana’s legendary EGREM studios for five days in May 2010 Gilles Peterson, Roberto Fonseca and their handpicked Havana Cultura band came together to practice for their European tour. The rehearsals were intense leading an excited Gilles to spontaneously book an extra day in the studio to record a handful of songs with Danay.

Danay possesses one of those rare voices which can shift - glide - through many vocal identities: as a soul and R&B singer and a cocktail jazz expressionist as well as a skilful improviser that makes her an effortless, articulate rapper. Her words flow fast, rhythmic and unpredictable and always finding or creating spaces that emphasize the emotional elements.

Danay Suarez – Havana Cultura Sessions is the latest album in a series of cultural projects from Havana Cultura celebrating fresh talent across all artistic disciplines. Since its inception in 2007, the initiative has provided an important platform for creative expression to aspiring film producers, visual artists, dancers and musicians. Havana-cultura.com showcases the remarkable profiles and work of such artists whose creativity would otherwise remain indefinitely obscured.

OUT NOW ON BROWNSWOOD records

Danay Suarez // Havana Cultura Sessions by Brownswood

Submotion Orchestra

Submotion Orchestra is a live 8-piece project from Leeds, incorporating deep bass-driven grooves and dense textures in their progressive live dubstep sound.

Leaving crowds inspired and often open-mouthed in their wake, this is not live dubstep to be taken lightly. The members have all cut their teeth on live dub, funk, reggae, jazz and even grime bands previously, so are no strangers to complex rhythm or rootical bass. Having been formed in early 2009 as an experimental live project, the band have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting up-and-coming acts this year.

Expect to hear blissful tones and weighty sub-bass, interwoven with tight rhythmic intensity from this incredibly talented outfit.

Finest Hour (Planas Remix) by Submotion Orchestra by Ranking Records

V.A.- The Sound Of Siam. Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz and Molam from Thailand 1964 -1975 (2010)

It’s the mixture of the exotic and the familiar that makes it so. While the frequent use of guitar, bass, keyboards and kit drums betrays the influence of the soul, rock and psychedelia of the time, the strange tonal nature of the Thai languages and the use of several local folk instruments, and their odd harmonies make it sound quite distinct.
more here...

Chaweewan Dumnern - Sao Lam Plearn

Ebo Taylor - Love And Death (2010)

When one thinks of Afrobeat, it’s the mug of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti and his 1,000 watt smile that comes to mind. After all, he is the face of Afrobeat, what James Brown is to American funk. But in Kuti’s neighboring country was a composer, arranger, producer and guitarist who, unbeknownst to most, is considered almost as important to the genre. Surprisingly, the over-shadowed Ebo Taylor actually studied with Kuti from 1962 to 1965, at the Eric Guilder School of Music in London. Soon after, Taylor became a fixture in Ghana’s music scene, helping define the West African sound, studio session by studio session.
more here...

Ebo Taylor - Love And Death