Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Pressed on stunning aquamarine vinyl, this 12" delivers a balearic escape through two extended reworks from the brilliant minds behind the recent Aqua Cheta remix EP. Italian producer Infradisco's original compositions are reimagined by Hear & Now and Manu Archeo, resulting in lush, transportive soundscapes perfect for blissful introspection or sun-drenched relaxation. Side-A features 'Beyond The Caduca (Hear & Now Remix)', a guitar-laced journey that glides effortlessly between balearic warmth and gentle motion. The remix expands on the original's dreamy essence, adding layers of melody and depth that ebb and flow like waves against a secluded shoreline. Side-B presents 'Beyond The Dulcis (Manu Archeo Remix)', an exquisite slice of seaside ambience. Soft, serene and filled with healing frequencies, this version unfolds with soothing textures, gentle horns and an atmosphere that feels like a tranquil sunset over endless waters. A masterful pairing of new-age dreamscapes and nostalgia, this release is great for those seeking deep relaxation or sonic escapism where tracks radiate positivity.

Review: Intrallazzi and Dario Piana have been friends and Milanese scene contemporaries since 1981, when they both fell in love with the distinctive Afro-Cosmic sound of local DJ (and later Piana collaborator) Daniel Baldelli. Since then, they have both made records aplenty under a variety of aliases, but this EP on Leng marks their first joint release. The headline attraction is opener (and lead cut) 'Out of Control', a dubbed-out cosmic disco chugger propelled by echo-laden percussion and a deep, low-slung bassline, smothered in psychedelic synth and guitar sounds. Fellow Italian producer LTJ Experience remixes, offering up a stripped-back and acid-flecked interpretation. Elsewhere, 'Lazise' is a TB-303-sporting cosmic shuffler and 'Saocraffen' is a Baldelli-influenced fusion of Afro-cosmic funk and ethereal Balearic sounds.

Review: The Ethiopian Ibex Band's 1976 album Stereo Instrumental Music is being re-released as a cornerstone of Ethiopian music. This record is credited with shaping the modern sound of Ethiopian music and the band's enduring influence can be felt in the works of legends like Aster Aweke, Girma Beyene and Mulatu Astatke. Created by Giovanni Rico and Selam Woldemariam, Stereo Instrumental Music is part of a significant legacy that challenges the idea of a "golden age" of Ethiopian music and highlights the constant evolution of the sound. The Ibex Band, later known as The Roha Band, has remained central to that and Ethiopia's wider scene.

Review: The cult Slow Life label has always operated at the more cosmic end of the house and minimal spectrum with speedy grooves designed to make an impact both physically and emotionally. Now a member of the collective, Indi Zone who is half of the Ethereal Logic project, steps out with a solo debut album that flips the script and explores organic grooves and blissful harmonies. It's an escapist delight with supple downbeat drums and gorgeous synth work that ranges from wispy to starry, watery to smeared. It paints a vivid picture of a heavenly tropical wonderland with endless neon glows and soft edges in which to get lost.

Review: Isao Suzuki's follow-up to his breakthrough album captures the essence of Japanese jazz in the 1970s, a period where the traditional swing style was redefined with a unique, more restrained approach. This album features exceptional interplay between Suzuki and saxophonist Kazumi Watanabe, with an added depth from pianist Kunihiko Sugano and drummer Tetsujiroh Obara. Notably, bassist Nobuyoshi Ino joins on two tracks, including a stirring rendition of 'Body and Soul', bringing a fuller sound to the ensemble and highlighting Suzuki's innovative use of the cello within the small group context. The music, originally released in 1974, avoids the dated, overly rigid patterns of some American jazz of the time, instead opting for more fluid and expressive forms. Reissued now, this album stands as an essential masterpiece in the Japanese jazz canon, showcasing Suzuki's ability to create timeless, intricate and captivating jazz that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Review: Eiko Ishibashi, best known for her acclaimed soundtrack work, returns to original composition with this album named in honour of the feminist-facing, heroine from ancient Greek tragedelian Sophocles' Oedipus Trilogy. It's a world of shimmering jazz harmonies, pulsating electronica and ghostly musique concrete, 'October' opening with a haunting, alluring melody and the disjointed rhythms of 'Coma' creating a sense of disorientation. 'Antigone', the centerpiece, builds to a powerful and unsettling climax, but there's more than chilling soundscapes as Ishibashi injects moments of surprising warmth and beauty, like the delicate interplay between acoustic and electronic elements in 'Nothing As'. Comparisons with her soundtrack work will be made, but - not unlike Antigone herself - this stands alone as a work of bravery and strength.

Review: Watarase: Voice is a fantastic second release in this series following Fumio Itabashi's acclaimed Watarase: Echo. This new compilation serves up vocal versions of the masterpiece 'Watarase' featuring a range of artists including jazz vocalist Shigeo Maruyama, Korean folk singer Lee Jung Mi and Japanese vocalist Yuki Kaneko. The album focuses on previously unreleased tracks and showcases the global influence of the original and also includes the long-awaited complete version of 'Symphonic Poem 'Watarase,'" a key piece in the story of this beloved work. This is a great testament to 40 years of history and the enduring legacy of Itabashi's jazz artistry.

Review: The second album from Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith on ECM is a meditation on resilience, sorrow and the human condition. Across four expansive tracks on Defiant Life, Iyer's piano and Fender Rhodes intertwine with Smith's haunting trumpet to create a soundscape that's both urgent and serene. From the solemn depth of 'Sumud' to the shimmering melancholy of 'Floating River Requiem' and the radiant close of 'Procession: Defiant Life' notions of suffering, resistance and hope are explored. The record was recorded in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. It's a deeply reflective work of emotional and spiritual resonance.