In early March the composer Hania Rani settled down by the piano and dwelt on the overwhelming turmoil of events in Ukraine, finding under her fingertips a portrait of grief in the form of ‘Kyiv’ whose proceeds will go towards the humanitarian crisis. From Ramallah at the heart of Palestine the producer Julmud bends space and time, sculpting dense basslines and bittersweet melodies in a bid to subvert confinement. DJ Travella spins breakneck backbeats out of the financial hub of Tanzania, breathing new life into techno and the taarab, while Carlos Falanga as IHHH deals in subtexts and surrealism for the Barcelona label Foehn Records.
For the 25th anniversary of his drill ‘n’ bass classic Lunatic Harness, the Planet Mu honcho Mike Paradinas returns under his µ-Ziq alias for a lush contemporary twist on nineties staples like jungle and breakbeat. The Swiss percussionist Julian Sartorius and British electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert conjure buzzing full-bodied soundscapes out of rapidly layered drums. And representing the best of the vibrant London jazz scene, Theon Cross summons the breadth of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, Jack Wyllie, JQ, and Richard Pike unite for an Edenic swirl of electronica, and the saxophonist John Dikeman stretches his arms out over the pond to greet Pat Thomas, John Edwards, and Steve Noble for the latest release on 577 Records.
More free improvisation on the soprano and bass comes from the duo of Jane Ira Bloom and Mark Helias. The famed Japanese percussionist Midori Takada interprets Buddhist liturgical chants and the ‘Nhemamusasa’ of Zimbabwe, a traditional song usually accompanied by the mbira, for two records released in conjunction with Ethnography Museum Geneva. Vince Staples tangles with gang ties and avowals of love on the second single from Ramona Park Broke My Heart. Lucy Liyou takes two on American Dreams, and tracks by Overmono, Angel Olsen, and The Rural Alberta Advantage complete the latest roundup of new music.
Playlists: Spotify · Apple Music · YouTube
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Julian Sartorius & Matthew Herbert – ‘Four Twenty’
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John Dikeman, Pat Thomas, John Edwards, and Steve Noble – ‘No Comment’
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Jane Ira Bloom & Mark Helias – ‘Cut To The Chase’
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DJ Travella – ‘Crazy Beat Music Umeme 2’
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Vince Staples – ‘ROSE STREET’
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Theon Cross – ‘Forward Progression II’
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The Rural Alberta Advantage – ‘3 Sisters’
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Angel Olsen – ‘All The Good Times’
