2024 Music Enjoyer Part 2
Fresh-Squeezed International Instrumentals
Keepin’ the 2024 Music Enjoyer highlights coming with another batch of 5 deliciously juicy jazz-funk gems. Let’s get into it!
Glass Beams - Mahal
Mystical Indian vibes X desert-wandering guitar funk from Australia with XXL heavyweight drums that ride effortlessly in the pocket like the invisible engine of this magic carpet express. The fact that it’s on Ninja Tune is wildly appropriate, since it sounds like something that (if it came out in the 70s) would easily have wound up being sampled by early 90s Ninja Tune artists. Not even quite 20 minutes long, but you’ll want to throw it on a loop regardless. If you’ve been enjoying bands like Khruangbin lately, you’ll definitely want to check ‘em out.
Jahari Massamba Unit - YHWH is LOVE
YET ANOTHER alias to add to the truly staggering array of projects from Mr. Otis Jackson, Jr., aka Madlib, here getting down to the absolute business with Karriem Riggins. If anyone out there remembers his older instrumental jazz-funk project, Yesterday’s New Quintet, this feels like the hyper-evolved version of that ethos. Blazingly fresh, yet if you told someone unfamiliar with the artists that it came out in 1976, they probably wouldn’t bat an eye. And if it had come out back then, you can be assured that it’d be one of those eye-wateringly expensive holy grail records. Lucky you, it’s brand new and easily available.
From my micro-review on the Bandcamp release page: “If you play 'Boppin' real loud while driving, your vehicle may experience Sudden Roof Detachment (SRD). Please note that Jahari Massamba Unit assumes no legal responsibility for any incidents of SRD, terminal wig-flippage, or inadvertent antigravity.”
Kiefer Trio - Something For Real
I’ve dug Kiefer for a few years now, but this new Trio joint (feat Luke Titus on drums & Pera Krstajic on bass) is really something else. From the gorgeous cover of Bobby Hutcherson’s eternal classic “Montara” to the effortless warp-speed of “Fast One,” this impeccably captured live recording absolutely slaps. Jazz-funk heads: do not sleep.
Misha Panfilov Septet - Live in Stockholm & Tallinn
Y’all what is going on in Estonia??? Help me out here. Because folks like Misha Panfilov and his ten million *incredible* albums over the last few years have demonstrated to me beyond a doubt that there has got to be something in the water over there. The only other possibility is that this alleged human is one of the most talented and prolific composer/performers of this generation. Pick any one of the absurdly diverse albums he’s put out under a variety of projects in the last few years, and you’re basically guaranteed to be impressed. This recent live release is an excellent introduction for anyone who’s unfamiliar, but don’t stop here—I highly encourage you to go alllll the way down this particular sonic rabbit hole. This is another one of those albums that, if it had been released in the 70s, would now be an absurdly expensive beat-digger’s grail record. My advice is to find a copy now, if you can, and hang onto it.
The Yussef Dayes Experience - Live From Malibu
Y’all I’ve been a fan of Yussef Dayes for a minute now, and as bummed out as I was about the breakup of his stellar combo with Kamaal Williams, I’ve come around to it. Now there’s just twice as many dope modern jazz-funk acts out there killing it! And this absolutely wicked live set from the Dayes band that came out early this year might be the best thing I’ve heard from them yet. Drawing from their 2023 album “Black Classical Music,” these versions honestly flex so much harder. I feel like you could put this on even in a group of people who might not identify as ‘jazz-curious’ and you’d see people catching serious stank-face, quietly mouthing “daaaaaaaaaaamn!” Just hit play and your mind is now rolling around the Malibu hills near sunset, windows down, in no particular hurry, pure vibes.
OK that’s it for today, I’ll be back later this week with another installment of highlights from my top sounds of the year, y’all take care out there <3