Myele Manzanza - "Family Dynamics" / "Itaru's Phone Booth"

I don't think I've ever done this before, but I'm going to include two tracks from the same record on this post instead of singling one out.

While I enjoyed 2016's OnePointOne release from Kiwi drummer/composer Myele Manzanza, I never posted about it. But because he's on the ever-reliable (and award-winning) First Word Records, I've kept an ear open for what he's up to. A Love Requited drops today and was one of the first things I listened to this morning. The album starts strong, but it's in the beginning of the second-quarter that things REALLY start to cook. "Family Dynamics" is the cleanup hitter and deserving of that spot in the batting order because it swings for the fences. Pianist Matthew Sheens - who has worked with First Word's Ross McHenry, has some lovely, deft runs on this track and Jake Baxendale's alto-sax just comes alive after minute two.



That's immediately followed up by "Itaru's Phone Booth," which is a lovely, restrained number that pulls the pace back a touch without losing any of the album's momentum.



Do yourself a favor and give A Love Requited a full listen over this long weekend.

The Lewis Express - "Stomp Your Feet"

So "Clap Your Hands b/w Stomp Your Feet" is the new 7-in from UK soul jazz outfit The Lewis Express, out July 5th on ATA Records. But Clap Your Hands is also the album title for the follow-up to the quartet's eponymous record (which I posted about here).

Only the b-side, "Stomp Your Feet" is currently streaming on Bandcamp, but honestly it's got a beat and a groove you could clap your hands to as well. Sitting, standing, dancing, whatever you can do, this'll make you move in some way.

Molly Burch - "Only One"

I've featured Austin, TX artist Molly Burch here on RR before and her most recent record was my #11 of 2018. One of two tracks from her forthcoming Ballads 7in just dropped online, but the actual release isn't until August 2nd.

Unsurprisingly, it's another great slice of emotionally resonant songwriting from Burch. She perfectly pairs a song of love lost / ended with a languorous guitar line and shuffling percussion that underpin her devastatingly beautiful vocals. If I describe this as a torch song, it's not as bright a light as you might picture - it's not flame, but rather the hot coals of a fire not yet fully extinguished.

Burch will be playing Real Love Summer Fest at the end of July. Fingers-crossed she'll have copies of Ballads with her when she does.

Kratos Himself - "Take U With Me"

Dutch producer Kratos Himself  - who previously got a mention here on RR for his 2016 album Stay True - is set to release Solstice / Part II on June 21st.

Just the one song streaming on Bandcamp so far in advance of the album drop but it's hella promising as what sounds like a kalimba line starts things off with a subtle percussive accompaniment before the melody line comes in and the beat truly drops around 0:42. This is a slow burner and a trance-like tune.

Bliss out summer folks.

My Polaris Prize Ballot - 2019 Round One

So last night at midnight CT, my ballot for the first round of the 2019 Polaris Music Prize was due. And after the usual down-to-the-wire sweating it out, I whittled my own longlist down to my five album ballot.

As I've done in the past, I'm sharing my longlist and ballot and I have to say this was another tough year. There were several albums I agonized over up to the deadline and did some soul-searching and flip-flopping before I pressed 'submit.'

Some of these titles will come as no surprise to people who've followed the blog or listened to my show on UMFM - the reason I've played them or shared them is because I've enjoyed them.

Kudos to all who are listed below - I'm a big fan of what you're doing. I strongly encourage people to check these albums out.

Here's my alphabetical longlist:

AKUA - Them Spirits
Allison Au Quartet - Wander Wonder
Black Legary - sirulian memorii
Tanika Charles - The Gumption
Isla Craig - The Becoming
Simon Daniel - Nightcrawler
Sarah Davachi - Gave In Rest
Elaquent - Blessing In Disguise
FET.NAT - Le Mal
Flying Horses - Reverie
Greys - Age Hasn't Spoiled You
Jayda G - Significant Changes
Korea Town Acid - Mahogany Forest
nehiyawak - Starlight EP
Safia Nolin - dans le noir
Rhye - Spirit EP
Joseph Shabason - Anne
Shay Lia - Dangerous
Slow Spirit - Idle
Snotty Nose Rez Kids - Trapline
Alexandra Streliski - Inscape
Teen Daze - Bioluminescence
TOBi - Still
Tony Wilson & Burn Down the Cornfield - This Way Thru the Forest
Justin Wright - Music For Staying Warm
Yes We Mystic - Ten Seated Figures

And here's my ballot:

It just so happens the Longlist reveal is taking place in Winnipeg this year. Fingers-crossed some of these albums will be among those announced on June 20th at The Forks.

Joe Armon-Jones "Icy Roads (Stacked)"

I've been touting UK jazz for a while now and singing the praise of key player Joe Armon-Jones for some time as well. So it should be no surprise that the A-side to his new 10" ends up on here.

Particularly when he enlists the talents of bassist Mutali Chashi of KOKOROKO, who provides such a wide-tire firm-grip bassline for Armon-Jones to drive these icy roads on.

As the info on the Bandcamp page notes, the release has " killer artwork nodding to Thrust-era Herbie Hancock" so you have a good sense of what this sounds like before you ever press play. This is some funky soulful jazz right here. Very curious to hear the B-side "Aquarius" when the physical drops at the end of June.