Jazz re:freshed are proud to present the third studio album by bassist and composer Daniel Casimir.'Balance'encapsulates 'Big Band Energy', with his signature combination of Classical, Jazz and cinematic sounds. The albumpays homage to the traditions of big band composition and historical significance whilst illustrating contemporary sensibilities.This ambitious project explores the balance between two large and full sounds of a big band and a string section and is inspired by icon Wayne Shorter's album'Emanon'which made a deep impression on Casimir during the process of creating the album. An organic development of Casimir's last critically acclaimed album'Boxed In'which featured a jazz quintet alongside a mini chamber Orchestra and was comprised of a woodwind, brass, with a string quartet,'Balance'is a self produced album that takes his musical vision to the next level in his most ambitious body of work to date, leading 26 musicians. Recorded in November 2022 at Livingston Studios, in a very conscientious recording process which saw piano, bass, and drums recorded together first, followed by trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and the string section and an all star band that consists of figures from the UK Jazz scene, Cassie Kinoshi, Binker, Nubya Garcia, Rosie Turton, Sheila Maurice-Grey and Jay Phelps to name a few alongside a stunning string section performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra. The final day of recording enlisted the powerful vocal prowess' of Zola Marcelle and Ria Moran to finesse the masterpiece. The track'Music Not Numbers'is an encouraging call to all musicians to not allow streaming culture to affect their creative process and to continue expanding the intrinsic nature of music. Whereas track,'Search for Goldilocks'explores the second meaning behind the album title 'Balance', which is to seek balance within and discover the qualities in life that are "just right".

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Since releasing her joint LP 'These Days' with long-time friend and collaborator Daniel Casimir on the jazz re:freshed imprint in 2019, Hirst has been working on her first solo album scheduled for release in early-2024. Funded by PRS Foundation's Women Make Music and the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, Hirst's new music is set to be a jazz re:freshed family affair. 'Magic' features Richard Spaven on drums, Sarah Tandy on piano and Tomorrow's Warriors StringTing. It is produced and arranged by Casimir who also plays electric, upright and synth bass on the recording. A celebration of inspiring stories of the women around her, 'Magic' pays homage to their robust capacity to rise to any challenge, including motherhood, a journey which Hirst embarked upon herself, making the track all the more poignant. As Hirst shares: "Since having my own child in between writing and releasing this record, I've realised motherhood itself isn't magic, rather there is magic in being a mother. Performing 'Magic' now brings a deeper level of understanding for me. When you give birth to a child you too are reborn." Hirst urges listeners to invoke their own sense of magic, underpinned by the notoriously underground UK musical heritage ofDrum'n'Bass, Spaven fully in his element, piercing through the pensive string melodies and euphoric harmonies overarching Hirst's ethereal tone.

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All Black Everything, the debut EP by UK-based, Parisian bassist, vocalist and composer Amy Gadiaga, is an expansive, boundary-pushing 5-track collection showcasing prodigious bass playing and a voice brimming with power and emotion. It's a profound exploration of self-acceptance that presents both a celebration and acknowledgement of Gadiaga's deep-seated darkness.

Inspired by the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement All Black Everything confronts racial identity complexities and the challenges of being a societal 'black sheep' and sees Gadiaga courageously transform her insecurities into a narrative of self-empowerment.

Born to parents of Senegalese, Gambian, and Malian descent, and hailing from the outskirts of Paris, the multitalented Gadiaga has been making waves in the UK music industry since she moved to London aged 18. With a fresh and unique style that bridges the old school jazz tradition of musicians such as Betty Carter and Wayne Shorter with the raw, rootsy modern sound of artists such as D'Angelo, Stevie Wonder and Twinkie Clark, Gadiaga's breadth of ambition and revitalising approach have brought early critical acclaim and ardent fans.

Signalling the arrival of a significant new voice on the London music scene, All Black Everything communicates the liberating essence of embracing individuality and presents a journey through Gadiaga's personal struggles, standing as a testament to art's transformative power and encouraging listeners to find strength in their uniqueness. "All Black Everything is very much an exploration and embracing of one of my archetypes in life which is the black bird/black sheep" she explains. "That feeling of not thinking you belong anywhere, of being misunderstood and really tending to your own. No helping hand. But it's ok sometimes because you also feel like nobody can compete with you, you're one of a kind."

“Amy Gadiaga is the epitome of everything new and fresh in today's jazz scene”
Isabel Marquez — Women In Jazz Magazine

“A lively and engaging debut full of promise ****”
— Record Collector

“You're going to like this one...a profound exploration of self-acceptance that presents both a celebration and acknowledgement of Gadiaga's deep-seated darkness”
— The Voice

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London-based composer/bassist, Daniel Casimir returns with his solo debut album Boxed In, a dynamic collision of pulsing modern jazz and orchestral instrumentation. Featuring Casimir's quintet of fellow British jazz luminaries, including Nubya Garcia, Moses Boyd, Al MacSween and James Copus, the album astutely bridges traditional and contemporary jazz forms enveloping strings, woodwind & brass arrangements. Boxed In represents Casimir's debut set of compositions written for orchestra. Despite his interest in writing for orchestra while studying jazz and classical music, attending conservatoires and completing a masters degree at Trinity Laban, he was never given the opportunity or choice to fulfil his aspiration. Casimir notes that as only one of two black musicians in his study cohort the normalisation of the situation made it almost easy to miss its inherent injustice. Coming up through the essential development foundation Tomorrow's Warriors, Casimir has gone on to feature on all of Nubya Garcia's recorded output to date as well as projects by Makaya McCraven and Ashley Henry and has performed with Lonnie Liston Smith and Jason Rebello amongst others. This album reflects the experiences of navigating prescribed labels traditionally placed on black musicians. As well as being inspired by Wayne Shorter's hybrid orchestral jazz projects, Boxed In was also influenced by a conversation Casimir had in 2018 with legendary composer and producer Quincy Jones who talked a lot about classical music orchestration.

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Ajo Se Po is the third album by alto-saxophonist and percussionist Kevin Haynes, released with his band Grupo Elegua. The album integrates musical elements with references to his deepening spiritual understanding. Haynes has created a modal harmonic language incorporating Afro-Cuban melodies and classical kora playing - his alto-sax, infusing the album with a personal 'voice'. Yoruba spirituality is at the heart of Haynes' musical thinking which also includes both Nigerian and Cuban dimensions. This is especially reflected by the use of recitation and Cuban bata drumming being employed on all tracks, with each piece growing out of a particular bata rhythm. Each such rhythm is dedicated to a particular Orisha, or divinity. As well as influences from Afro-Cuban, Native Nigerian and folkloric Bata, Haynes' music is a fusion of contemporary jazz incorporating Mandinga folk and praise songs and hard bop. Kevin Haynes and Grupo Elegua have performed at renowned jazz festivals including Havana Jazz Festival, Cuba and Salamanca Jazz Festival, Spain. Haynes has also featured on Moses Boyd's hit album Displaced Diaspora.

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If there is one artist that has truly become synonymous with Jazz re:freshed over the years, it is the energy, the skill, the showmanship, the innovation, the genius that is Kaidi Tatham. The vibe behind the west London/broken beats/nu-jazz scene as a core member of Bugz In The Attic, Kaidi's 5ive continues the lineage of jazz, fusing it with his own twisted funk, boogie and eletronica. The 10 year anniversary of its first release sees Kaidi's 5ive presented for the first time ever on vinyl.

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'Feeling Alright' is a certified dancefloor weapon–stripped-back and effective like classic house, raw and sweat-soaked like the best soul. For the first time, two of Japan's most respected underground producers team up. With releases on labels such as Optimo, Local Talk, Mister Saturday Night, Turbocapitalism, Eglo and Delusions of Grandeur, their reputations precede them. Keita Sano's raw, visceral edge collides with Sauce81's flair for boogie-drenched synths and unapologetic vocals, delivering a pure, hard-hitting dose of house with an undeniable disco pulse.

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Bells Are Ringing is the debut EP by Melbourne Funk 10 piece outfit Mondo Freaks, released following on from the single of the same name and a thrilling Dub Version by Harvey Sutherland. Mondo Freaks formed originally as a concept band, equipped with an ever-evolving setlist of late '70s and early '80s Funk classics, their journey has seen them invited to be the backing band for the Australian tours of such luminaries as Leroy Burgess (the producer and artist behind Boogie and Disco favourites Black Ivory, Logg, Aleem, Inner Life, and Universal Robot Band) and the iconic Evelyn "Champagne" King. Having performed at the iconic local Meredith Music, Golden Plains and Panama festivals and at numerous residencies Mondo Freaks have carved their mark, returning now to ring in a new era of groove-soaked original music. The band revolves around the rhythm section of in demand session bassist Luke Hodgson and drummer Graeme Pogson (GL, The Bamboos). Gathering some of the finest musicians from Melbourne's legendary soul scene, they're accompanied by five incredible vocalists including Jade MacRae, Susie Goble, Francisco Tavares, Aaron Mendoza and Jason Heerah. New tracks on the EP include "Find A Way", which hits straight away with a percussion and synth hook, blending Jade MacRae's vocal delivery with an uplifting message about finding hope in trying times. Also included is the Harvey Sutherland Vocal Mix of "Bells Are Ringing", which keeps much of the spaced out Larry Levan, Shep Pettibone re-edit approach that was on his much lauded Dub Version.

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All Things Return to One is the debut LP from Reptile Reptiles, the project helmed by Alexandre Bazin(GRM)and director/musician Clément Beauvais and features the voice of Gary Farmer from Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man. A work of enveloping ambient, plangent dustbowl guitar & meditative poetry, with texts narrated by renowned Indigenous actor Gary Farmer; a homage to Farmer's iconic turn in Jim Jarmusch's film Dead Man. A uniquely atmospheric depiction of existential pilgrimage

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Very limited project - only 100 copies of 180g trans crystal vinyl.From bass to jungle - MADE FOR DJs! Once upon a time, DJs in clubs only played from vinyl records. We want to refer to this history with this project, because you will find only club bangers here, which are not worth listening to quietly and with the bass turned off. The starting point is Pepe's last year album "Balance", which was taken to the studio by seven producers. On the wax, a true intergalactic team of artists who know what to do with the audience in the club - DJ BLIK, Envee, Molehead, Riffz, Tropiki, true.dat and TVB. What is the tempo here? From bass 87 BPM played by TVB, all the way to 164 BPM, because we have an expert on jungle themes on board in the person of Riffz.

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Soul Gem Alert !!!! - A timeless track by The Lost Gernation, "This is the lost gerneration" was issued back in the days , but is very very rare and never seen. Hipnotic groove and superb vocals - A must have 45. Our release includes an Instrumental cut that just give that groove another lift, an essential 7" release.

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Lance Ferguson (of The Bamboos, Menagerie and lately, The Ferguson Rogers Process) releases a newly scored soundtrack for the 1981 French film L'ocean de toi. The romantic thriller was the debut film by enigmatic French director Leroi Alarie, long thought lost forever, but recently a 35mm print was unearthed that he has agreed to release after many requests and much negotiation. Ahead of its planned restoration and subsequent re-release, Ferguson was asked to compose all-new music for the film personally by Alarie (now aged 69), as the original score was never to the auteur's liking - cobbled together at the time with a patchwork of sound library pieces imposed upon him by the film's producers in order to save money. He was in so much conflict with the producers throughout the shooting and editing of the film that upon completion he took the only existing finished print and refused to have it released. Ferguson's score is a collection of languid, dreamy (mainly) instrumental Funk pieces that evoke the hazy, sun-kissed atmosphere of the film. Conceived and imagined to suit the aesthetic of the era, but with an inevitable twist of "la modernité". It's a fitting match for this new addition to the canon of early '80s European arthouse cinema, thankfully rescued from obscurity for 21st-century audiences to finally enjoy.

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Lloyd Parks, born on May 26, 1948, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a renowned reggae icon known for his soulful melodies and skillfully played bass lines. In the late 1960s, he performed with the Invincibles band, which included notable talents such as Ansell Collins, Sly Dunbar, and Ranchie McLean, before joining forces with Wentworth Vernal to form The Termites. He launched a successful solo career, releasing a series of self-produced singles, including the massive hit "Officially" in 1973; this single also provided the title for the legendary and and highly sought-after 1973 album, now reissued for the first time. Acknowledged as a talented studio bassist, Parks supported various reggae artists, including Justin Hinds on Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label. He was a member of Skin, Flesh and Bones, alongside Ansell Collins and Ranchie MacLean, contributing to Al Brown's hit "Here I Am Baby." When the group began recording for Channel One Studios, Parks renamed them The Revolutionaries and later joined Joe Gibbs' house band, The Professionals, showcasing his skills on hits like Althea & Donna's "Uptown Top Ranking." Throughout the 1970s, he collaborated with prominent artists such as Dennis Brown, The Abyssinians, The Itals, The Gladiators, Culture, and Prince Far I. In 1974, Parks founded the We The People Band, accompanying Dennis Brown on tours and regularly performing at festivals like Reggae Sunsplash and Reggae Sumfest.A long career studded with many important awards. "Officially" is his most cherished personal gem that, after too long, finally shines once more thanks to the discovery of the quarter-inch AMPEX tapes now owned by BMG (UK) and licensed to Jamdung Records.



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