Tuesday, June 23

Jazz Fusion

Calibro 35 – Discomania: A Funky Reimagining of Umiliani’s Classic
16Jul By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Funk / Soul / R'n'B, Jazz Fusion, New Music

Calibro 35 – Discomania: A Funky Reimagining of Umiliani’s Classic

Calibro 35 return with a sharp and vibrant new single, Discomania — a bold reinterpretation of Piero Umiliani’s 1978 cosmic disco track. Delivered with a rhythmic edge and a confident grasp of groove, their version leans into Afrobeat territory while keeping the strong melodic core of the original intact. The track blends vintage textures with the band’s tight musicianship and cinematic flair. The band recorded the track at Sound Workshop in Rome — Umiliani’s historic studio — adding a layer of authenticity to the project. With its layered keys, infectious bassline, and percussive momentum, Discomania taps into the golden age of Italian soundtrack music, while offering something modern and distinctive. Calibro 35’s ability to bridge eras is once again on display, taking a familiar them...
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Funky Instrumental Groove from Synthonic on “All Day, Every Day”
5Jun By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music, Nu Jazz / Jazztronica

Funky Instrumental Groove from Synthonic on “All Day, Every Day”

“All Day, Every Day” by Synthonic opens with laid-back guitar lines, soon joined by a steady piano rhythm and a relaxed drum backbeat. The groove locks in quickly, with keys and brass contributing a warm, funky energy that defines the track’s character. It’s an instrumental that balances finesse with feel, building gradually into sections rich with electric piano textures, blues-influenced organ licks, and tightly arranged horn riffs. The project features some of the UK’s top session musicians, including Vasilis Xenopoulos, Jack Birchwood, Valere Speranza, and Jeremy Dunning. It's the creation of Kieron Garrett — a London-based composer, performer, and producer who founded Synthonic in 2018 after years of experience performing in jazz venues across the UK. “All Day, Every Day” leans...
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“Rising”: A Jazz-Rock Reflection on the Arab Spring
20May By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

“Rising”: A Jazz-Rock Reflection on the Arab Spring

Taken from the upcoming album Explode Yourself, Rising is a powerful, exploratory track from Love Unfold The Sun. The composition, originally written in 2010 by bandleader and guitarist/oudist Mustafa Stefan Dill, is inspired by and dedicated to the thousands who sparked the Arab Spring. The track opens with tightly coiled drum grooves, soon joined by a jagged guitar riff that establishes a tense, forward-moving energy. Brass enters to reinforce the motif before a lead guitar line takes centre stage, weaving through the rhythmic textures. As Rising unfolds, the track moves with confidence into jazz fusion territory, showcasing musical interplay that draws on free jazz, Middle Eastern tonalities, and hard rock influences. The track shifts gears in its second half, embracing improvisa...
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The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra – “Tomorrow Part 1”: Jazz-Inflected Irish Fusion from a Singular Visionary
5May By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra – “Tomorrow Part 1”: Jazz-Inflected Irish Fusion from a Singular Visionary

“Tomorrow Part 1” marks the opening chapter of Drovers Unlimited Orchestra Volume 3, the final project by late composer and Chicago scene mainstay Mike Kirkpatrick. Rooted in Irish traditions but infused with a global sensibility, this track offers a rhythmic, melodic blend of jazz phrasing and folk instrumentation, anchored by a scale influenced by Ethiopian music. It’s described as “a reel for non-Irish playing musicians,” but the scope reaches far beyond. The single sets the tone for the rest of the album with a joyful sense of rhythmic drive, textured by syncopated interplay and brass-fuelled motifs. There’s a sense of momentum and layered progression that rewards repeated listening—capturing the kind of boundary-pushing arrangement that defines Kirkpatrick’s body of work. Kirkp...
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Exploring New Dimensions: Manuel Valera – Nevermind Tomorrow
5May By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

Exploring New Dimensions: Manuel Valera – Nevermind Tomorrow

Manuel Valera’s Nevermind Tomorrow opens with a sense of mystery, blending electronic textures with expressive piano to create a distinctive, modern jazz atmosphere. Synth lines intertwine with a moody piano approach that feels both contemplative and exploratory, underpinned by a tight rhythm section featuring Janek Gwizdala on bass and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums. The track balances structure and abstraction, with Valera’s piano work shifting between melodic fragments and more fluid, spontaneous phrases. The groove builds steadily, with drums and bass anchoring the piece while allowing space for the keyboard flourishes to roam. As the composition progresses, layers of synth and acoustic piano provide contrast, merging tradition with forward-looking sonic ideas. Valera, a Grammy-nom...
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Mourning [A] BLKstar – Stop Lion 2: A Spacious, Percussive Lead from Flowers for the Living
5May By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

Mourning [A] BLKstar – Stop Lion 2: A Spacious, Percussive Lead from Flowers for the Living

Stop Lion 2, the lead single from Mourning [A] BLKstar’s upcoming album Flowers for the Living, opens with swelling synth textures before locking into a hypnotic downtempo groove. A measured bass and percussion combo anchors the track, while trumpet flourishes add melodic movement that cuts through the haze. The vocals enter with intention, shifting the track into its central motif—moody and immersive, with a pulsing, deliberate energy. This track demonstrates the Cleveland collective’s ability to fuse space and movement, combining electronic textures with live instrumentation in a way that feels organic yet tightly constructed. The production leaves room for each element to breathe, while never losing the forward motion that keeps it engaging from start to finish. As a preview of t...
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Matti Oja & Mikko Pellinen – “Archetypal Echoes”: Intricate Bass-Guitar Dialogue with Deep Emotional Resonance
5May By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

Matti Oja & Mikko Pellinen – “Archetypal Echoes”: Intricate Bass-Guitar Dialogue with Deep Emotional Resonance

Archetypal Echoes is a thoughtful and fluid composition from Finnish duo Matti Oja and Mikko Pellinen, whose interplay between guitar and bass crafts a rich and evolving soundscape. The track begins with a melodic bass line that sets a contemplative tone, soon joined by gentle guitar arpeggios that float above with clarity and intent. As the piece develops, the guitar and bass trade melodic ideas, creating a conversational quality that feels organic and deliberate. Later in the track, the interplay deepens as layered phrases build, weaving multiple strands of counterpoint into a more harmonically and rhythmically dense section. The gradual shift from spacious minimalism to intricate interplay feels natural, with both musicians allowing the composition to breathe while maintaining focus...
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Stars in a Box: Jazz Fusion with a Sci-Fi Twist
18Apr By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music

Stars in a Box: Jazz Fusion with a Sci-Fi Twist

“Stars In A Box” is the new release from a trio of seasoned NYC musicians—Adam Ahuja, Gavi Grodsky, and Radiccio Nash—who combine jazz fusion, cinematic flair, and a touch of science fiction across a tightly produced, groove-heavy track. The song opens with lush chords and a layered production that balances jazz harmony with modern electronic textures. Vocal harmonies and lo-fi leads bring a contemporary edge, while the rhythm section delivers a steady pulse that evolves into more adventurous territory as the track progresses. There’s a hint of experimental flair throughout, making it a compelling listen for fans of progressive, genre-blending work. The track features Adam Ahuja (Robert Randolph, Meatloaf) on keys, bass, and vocals; Gavi Grodsky (The Flowdown, Arturo Sandoval, John ...
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Ginger Baker’s N’Kon Kini N’Kon N’Kon Featured on New BBE Music Compilation
17Mar By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Funk / Soul / R'n'B, Jazz Fusion

Ginger Baker’s N’Kon Kini N’Kon N’Kon Featured on New BBE Music Compilation

Ginger Baker’s N'Kon Kini N'Kon N'Kon is a standout track on If Music presents: You Need This! A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 4, the latest compilation from BBE Music. Known for his pioneering work in jazz, rock, and Afrobeat, Baker delivers a rhythmically compelling, funk-infused track that showcases his deep connection to African music. N'Kon Kini N'Kon N'Kon is driven by intricate percussion, a tight funk groove, and Baker’s signature rhythmic complexity. The track seamlessly blends African influences with jazz improvisation, featuring dynamic drumming that interacts effortlessly with a propulsive bassline and layered instrumentation. The result is an energetic and immersive listening experience, reflecting Baker’s lifelong dedication to musical exploration. Ginger Baker was n...
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Kevin Metzger – In A Network Of Lines That Enlace: A Fusion of Prog Rock and Jazz Improvisation
15Feb By v1nylm@ttNo Comments
Jazz Fusion, New Music, Progressive Rock

Kevin Metzger – In A Network Of Lines That Enlace: A Fusion of Prog Rock and Jazz Improvisation

Kevin Metzger’s In A Network Of Lines That Enlace is a dynamic fusion piece that shifts effortlessly between progressive rock and jazz. Opening with a striking harmonic burst, the track quickly settles into a chromatic guitar line, gradually layered with additional textures before moving into a downtempo groove. Piano chords add a jazz-influenced depth, complementing the rock foundations and highlighting Metzger’s sophisticated approach to composition. The track is part of Metzger’s debut fusion record, featuring live-tracked guitar and piano with overdubbed drums. It’s a through-composed piece, allowing space for improvised solos across guitar, piano, and percussion. Drawing inspiration from the writing of Italo Calvino, the music explores structure and spontaneity in equal measure, c...
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