In this week’s selection: Tyler, the creator’s fifth studio album, rising star Santi delivers an admirable album, reggae giant Steel Pulse releases their first album in 15 years, and more below…
Santi
Mandy & The Jungle
Following a slew of highly rated singles like, “Rapid Fire” and “Sparky”, the fusion artist Santi is now releasing his very first album titled Mandy & The Jungle. The contemplative 16 tracks-album features artists like Kida Kudz, Shane Eagle, amaarae, GoldLink and DRAM. Speaking about the project, Santi said: “This is the most important moment of my life. New chapter, new universe”
With Mandy & The Jungle Santi keeps proving he is the one to look out for in the ever growing new generation of Nigerian acts.
Order the album on the artist’s website.
Tyler, the Creator
IGOR
Tyler, the Creator’s new album IGOR is the follow-up to 2017’s Flower Boy. The 28-year-old musician fifth studio album features Kanye West, Lil Uzi Vert, Santigold, Playboi Carti, and more. Tyler Okonma said in a post on Twitter: “Don’t go in expecting a rap album or any album”. It’s definitely a lot different from its other stuff, maybe that’s what’s making it so great. IGOR is experimental with an intimate narrative and the production creates an atmosphere which couples perfectly with the story of the record. After the sublime Flower Boy, everyone had high hopes. And after a first listen we are still impressed.
Listen on Spotify / Apple Music / Deezer
Steel Pulse
Mass Manipulation
Manchester Reggae band Steel Pulse releases their first album in 15 years. Mass Manipulation marks the great come-back of the reggae giants, who originated a good bunch of classics, among them their 1978 debut album Handsworth Revolution. In this new release, the band now formed by merely singer David Hinds, synth player Sidney Mills and guitar player David Elecciri, the band tackles a wide range of hot topics with its critical yet optimist eye. From traffic to global warming, as Hinds says it himself : “We can’t abandon the futur our ancestors fought for”.
Order the album here
Seba Kaapstad
Thina
Half-German, half-South African band Seba Kaapstad blends genres and cultures in their second shiny neo-soul album, Thina. This new release follows the path of their debut album Tagore’s, blending electronic music, hip hop, jazz and African-inspired polyrhythmics with the soulful voices of the singers. Inspired by the suffering of ancesters, Thina features twelve tracks as a path to closure and as a symbol of unity between the continents. Berlin and Cape Town have never been closer on the musical map.
Order the album on Bandcamp.
Lionel Martin & Sangoma Everett
Afrique (Revisiting Afrique of Count Basie & Oliver Nelson)
Saxophonist Lionel Martin and drummer Sangoma Everett are revisiting Afrique, one of the most original albums of jazz legend Count Basie. Recorded in December 1970, Afrique is a studio album by Count Basie and his orchestra, arranged & conducted by Oliver Nelson. The “Count” convenes Oliver Nelson to reinterpret works by Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Gabor Szabo and Oliver Nelson. With Revisiting Africa, the saxophonist and the drummer bet on a two-way dialogue, a conversation with the jazz of yesterday and today, from here and there, in black and white.
Order Revisiting Afrique here
