Aurgasm

jazz // noir // lust

Is to give your heart or have it taken all of life? Nothing else seems relevant in Nicole Simone’s music, and that’s something I can relate to. She loves me, she loves me not - a field of daisies ravaged by uncertainty. Her sultry persuasion can caress or carve out a heart with paralyzing euphoria and inflict stoic men with boyish war. A silky smooth trumpet coats one’s will, the gentle bass thump removes your armor, as marxophone, guitar and piano fastens temptation. Dark, moody, passionate desire, eerie and erotic - provocative songs that linger like an eternal flame, reducing your soul to brimstone ash.

Our saintly hearts.
Nicole Simone - Melt
Nicole Simone - Teach Me (stream only)
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jazz // pop // chanson

The repertoire of Swedish singer-songwriter Fredrika Stahl consists of elegant jazz compositions and dreamy vocal textures. “Monumental Mismatch”, the opening track of Tributaries (2008), possesses this certain element of playfulness and simplicity that works so well with Fredrika’s flirtatious jazz approach. Accompanied by accordion and delicate piano arrangements, lyrical “Pourquoi Pas Moi” is a true homage to French chanson, while her yearning vocals bring to mind the critically acclaimed Lisa Ekdahl.

Gentle jazz for a wintry afternoon.
Fredrika Stahl - Monumental Mismatch
Fredrika Stahl - Pourquoi Pas Moi
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electro swing // gypsy django party

If you can judge a group by its influences, try these out: Django Reinhardt, Vitalic, Cab Calloway, Justice, Lionel Hampton, Daft Punk, Billie Holiday. The Paris-based group has been touring since they broke out at the Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival in 2007. They deliver an old gypsy swing, but through a very accessible and fresh dance music production. I hadn’t heard of them until they stole my ears at the Dour Festival in Belgium this summer.

Django Reinhardt is raving inside of a carnival tent.
Caravan Palace - Jolie Coquine
Caravan Palace - Star Scat
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vocal jazz // swing jazz

As the days become shorter and the nights get colder, I find myself immersed in smooth tasty retro swing and vocal jazz. Robin McKelle’s Modern Antique (2008) provides with that tasty kind of vibe that sounds so good while sipping warm apple cider. Indeed, Robin’s repertoire is “antique” — mostly songs from the 40’s to early 60’s, yet her approach is fresh. Her retro-big-band-swing interpretation of Steve Miller’s pop hit “Abracadabra” is an absolute gem. It’s so charming, inventive and sweetly flirtatious you wouldn’t recognize the original in it. Another favourite, “Go To Hell” (Nina Simone’s tune) features refined and stylish arrangements with Robin’s emotive and powerful phrasing.

Tasteful finger-snapping jazz.
Robin McKelle - Abracadabra
Robin McKelle - Go To Hell
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Orchestral // Jazz // Dark Ambient

Overtures creep towards you bearing ominous insight. A ravenous beast of symphonic scale lurks behind every measure; its teeth a menacing discord that devour your surroundings presence. Henryk Górecki could be leading The Cinematic Orchestra through such a place, yet the scourge of blaring horns and thunderous storms resemble unknown regions. This elegant, brooding ardor bleeds from The Netherlands as The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble; a project originating with Jason Köhnen and Gideon Kiers to recreate scores for classic movies like Nosferatu and Metropolis. Angelic offerings scarcely appear to cradle your stay, but whirlwind strings and industrial plight will have their say. Aching with beauty and purpose, Here Be Dragons is a story I do not want to unhold. A modern-day masterpiece.

Arrangements for Hallows’ eve.
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Caravan!
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Embers
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Downtempo // Jazz // Soul

Adam Scrimshire’s music fascinates me with a quality that I can best describe as being patient with the listener. As if built from maps referencing harmony’s emotions, this introspective and worldly odyssey flourishes with sublime enrapture and plush vitality. It’s spacious and grand, uplifting and cinematic, yet personally affective to the tune of something nestled deep inside. Along came the Devil one night… transpires awe, friendly accord and console; a beautiful achievement by a gracious music lover and maker.

Mellifluous embodiment of music.
Scrimshire - All Roads Lead You Home
Scrimshire - Springtime (with Claire Laurent)
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afrofunk // jazz

The opening to “Too Many Prisoners (Elewon Po)” sounds like it could be taken right off an Isaac Hayes record (one extremely well-known one in particular…), which is funny because Hayes is one of the few people not commonly listed as an Allen influence (viz. Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, James Brown, Fela Kuti, etc.). After that, though, the Shaft theme is quickly dropped for something more like Pucho Brown: a breezy, carefree collection of bass, vocals, and the drumming for which Allen is most renowned. The single was released May 11 and is available on iTunes; the album (Secret Agent) comes out June 8. (We also covered some of Tony’s other work way back in August 2007.)

Bright and flavorful
Tony Allen – Too Many Prisoners (Elewon Po)
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nu-jazz // clubjazz

Vastly more magnificent than any emerging technology’s precisely programmed ability to enthrall for ages, Osaka’s Indigo Jam Unit unleashes an afferent stream of crystal clear sonic consciousness that is impeccably scored with invigorating, astonishing rapture. Notes come alive within songs that maintain constant creativity; patterns changing and folding over another, weaving into and pulling out sensations that suddenly burst into existence. A pure marvel what piano, drums, double bass and percussion can achieve. This is storytelling without words; using images developed entirely from sound.

Now you’re playing with power.
Indigo Jam Unit - Pirates
Indigo Jam Unit - Arctic Circle
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jazz // singer-songwriter

Kate Schutt’s debut studio album No Love Lost (2007) stretches from Jazz standards to American singer-songwriter tradition. A guitarist, producer and songwriter, Kate shifts throughout her album from slow-paced and melancholic ballads to slightly more up-tempo moments, often accompanied by her 8-string guitar. “Wrecking Ball” is a sweet display of pre-World-War II continental jazz influences such as tender gypsy-like arrangements and melodic trumpet hooks alongside southern-style harmonica riffs and heartfelt vocals.

Clear vocals, old-fashioned jazz instrumentation.
Kate Schutt - Wrecking Ball
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swing-jazz // balkan // swedish hiphop

“Django guitar, windy street swing; music for both art directors and for your mother” is how MOVITS! describe their sound. Well-known in Sweden, but unheard of elsewhere, they fold together elements of 1930’s big band swing, roma swing and rhythm & blues, then drop hiphop vocals on top for some serious energetic firepower. The ability to seamlessly interweave a number of genres reminds me of The Cat Empire, but while MOVITS! could relax on their catchy beats, they expertly drop variations (i.e. 2:00 in the video above) that’ll keep you smiling throughout the song.

Music for art directors and your mother
MOVITS! - Äppelknyckarjazz
MOVITS! - Swing För Hyresgästföreningen
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