Tracklist

A1. Volpe - November
A2. Volpe - Rach II
A3. Volpe - April
A4. Volpe - Rach I
A5. Volpe - Kinderwijsje
B1. Volpe - Octopus
B2. Volpe - Voorbij
B3. Volpe - Venster
B4. Volpe - Elders
B5. Volpe - Sussen


Volpe is the finely tuned trio led by Ghent-based pianist Heleen Andriessen. Drummer Stijn Demuynck and bassist Kobe Boon support Andriessen's lyrical melodies with an infectious groove. The carefully crafted compositions alternate between energetic and melancholic, allowing the listener to feel immersed in a warm bath while transporting them to an uncanny world.

'elders' (Dutch for "elsewhere"), doesn't refer to a physical place but to a refuge in Heleen's mind-a sanctuary where she searches for beauty on gray, rainy November days. A simple detail taken from everyday life can serve as a gateway to this hopeful, imaginative world. Musically, this translates to repetitive patterns that gradually evolve or suddenly burst open. Subtle dissonance is welcome here, with the band lovingly embracing the slight disruption it offers. Heleen's playful runs and Stijn Demuynck's grooves balance the melancholic undertones. Seemingly simple melodies tell stories and offer familiarity to listening ears.

keywords: piano trio, contemporary jazz, keith jarrett, modal jazz, minimalist



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Tracklist

A1. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Horsehair wood and high carbon
A2. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Nylon maple and walnut
A3. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Horsehair and copper wound-steel
A4. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Hardwood and crystal
A5. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Spruce bold

B1. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Spruce and steel
B2. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Nylons-new
B3. Heleen Van Haegenborgh - Virgin wool felt

With this album, Heleen Van Haegenborgh returns to her roots as a pianist.

In recent years, she has primarily composed works on commission for a diverse range of ensembles, from recorders to foghorns.

On this solo album, her entire journey of musical encounters and compositions comes together subtly.



Van Haegenborgh doesn't think in terms of stories or boxes, but rather in colours, energy, and texture - without drifting into the abstract.

She remains true to her personal inside piano world, including the use of wires she has been experimenting with since 2008. These are given a place here as fully-fledged musical elements, communicating on different levels, in various contexts and forms.



The electronics sometimes become completely one with the piano, but often follow an entirely different path: at times calm, subtle and refined; at other times nervous and under the surface. Always within specific atmospheres and with precise timing.

Van Haegenborgh took charge of every detail from start to finish - electronics, composition, and performance.






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Tracklist

A1. Meral Polat - Meydana Gel
A2. Meral Polat feat. Mola Sylla - Govend (feat. Mola Sylla)
A3. Meral Polat - Can
A4. Meral Polat feat. Murat Ertel - Ötme bülbül ötme
A5. Meral Polat feat. Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti - Çiya Icaro

B1. Meral Polat - Çenek
B2. Meral Polat feat. Murat Ertel & Can Ömer Uygan - Çocuklar
B3. Meral Polat - Xwedawendno
B4. Meral Polat - Boyun e?mem
B5. Meral Polat - Dost

LP in gatefold sleeve. On MEYDAN, Meral and her band continue their exploration of Anatolian and Mesopotamian music, particularly the Turkish psychedelic rock revolution of the 1970s and the ancient Kurdish Dengbej traditions.Meral primarily showcases her own voice, that of a woman exercising her right to live on her own terms, free from the oppressive interference of patriarchy. For fans of Altin Gün, Gaye Su Akyol and Baba Zula.

In 2022, Meral Polat released her debut album "Ez Ki Me" as a singer under the name Meral Polat Trio. "Ez Ki Me" roughly translates to "Who am I?". The album was a search by the singer for her Alevi Kurdish roots. In her lyrics, Meral incorporated many poems from her late father, Adi Ihsan Polat. The album received positive reviews and was nominated for a Music Award by Songlines.

On her new album MEYDAN, Meral primarily showcases herown voice, that of a woman exercising her right to live on her own terms, free from the oppressive interference of patriarchy. The album celebrates female strength, inspired by the philosophy of "JIN, JIYAN, AZADI" (WOMAN, LIFE, FREEDOM), a phrase originating from Kurdish-led women's movements. JIN, JIYAN, AZADI symbolizes resistance to oppression and the fight for women's rights.

Musically, MEYDAN takes it a step further than the debut album. Meral welcomes drummer Jens Bouttery to the band, along with many inspiring guest musicians. The track "Cenek" features a determined choir of 26 women of various ages and cultural backgrounds. In "Çiya Icaro", Meral shares a duet with Bolivian artist Ibbelise Guarda Ferraguti.

On MEYDAN, Meral and her band continue their exploration of Anatolian and Mesopotamian music, particularly the Turkish psychedelic rock revolution of the 1970s and the ancient Kurdish Dengbej traditions. The bandtraveled to Istanbul to record with Murat Ertel from Baba Zula and trumpet player Can Omer Uygan. In addition to Anatolian music styles, influences from Mali Blues and Nigerian Afrobeat are embraced. Another notable guest is Senegalese musician Mola Sylla, who lent his voice and improvisational talent to the track "Govend".

While the drums, keyboards or guitar, and Polat's voice still form the core of the album, each track also contains its own collage of synthesizers, vocal harmonies, percussion, organ, piano, distorted guitars, and guest musicians. All tracks were mixed by the exceptional Belgian mixing engineer Pieterjan Coppejans, who added depth to their sound. All of this results in a particularly rich and uplifting album with a message.




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Tracklist

A1. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - The Secret Of Bluebell
A2. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - In Between The Sea And The Houses On The Hill
A3. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Little Dreamer
A4. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Unsung Hero
A5. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Black Sunlight

B1. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Within This World
B2. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Recalling Of The Setting Sun
B3. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - True Fiction
B4. Jelle Van Giel & Close Distance Band - Loud Whisper

Belgian drummer and composer Jelle Van Giel presents All I Hear, the first full-length album of his new band, Close Distance.

All I Hear unfolds in ten chapters - nine on vinyl, with an additional track on CD. Each track depicts its own world. Some burst to life, driven by energy that draws you in and melodies that linger. Others take their time, emerging like landscapes through morning mist, shaped by shifting textures and quiet detail.

Subtle soundscapes and cinematic colors blend with improvisation and groove, creating an immersive listening experience that speaks to both head and heart. This is music that paints with sound, drawing the listener deep into the world of Close Distance: a quartet in which Jelle invites his fellow musicians Roeland Celis (guitar), Ewout Pierreux (piano/rhodes) and Yannick Peeters (double bass) to join him on his journey and sometimes lead the way.




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Tracklist

A1. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Flowing keep Flowing
A2. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Dololo
A3. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - YeMa
A4. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & ESINAM & Sibusile Xaba - Africa Wola
A5. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Akadi

B1. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Umhale
B2. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Inner-Cosmic Imaginations
B3. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Ready to Love
B4. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Send it
B5. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Vuma
B6. ESINAM, Sibusile Xaba & Esinam & Sibusile Xaba - Uhambo

LP + insert. A cosmically poetic duo playing Afro-Roots-Electro with a clear nod to spiritual jazz. Esinam Dogbatse (flute, synths, vocals, fx, percussion) | Sibusile Xaba (guitar, vocals, percussion).



ESINAM & Sibusile Xaba is a meeting of nomadic, wandering and kindred spirits in music. Both artists draw upon their ancestry: Belgian-Ghanaian(ESINAM) and Kwazulu Natal-South Africa (Sibusile Xaba) through a unique connection, a deep artistic and spiritual level, they use rhythms and grooves to translate stories to the audience. Their vocal chanting enhances trance to rhythmic patterns that grace us by melodies of the future and past.

On April 25th 2025, ESINAM & Sibsile Xaba will release their first joint album entitled 'Healing Voices'.

This album is a reflection of the kaleidoscopic multitude of musical inspirations running through the veins of two very talented solo artists. Both multi-instrumentalists, they provide many different layers to their music. Each track is a reflection of their cross-pollination. Musically inspired by Ghanaian Highlife and traditional songs from Zulu and Ewe culture, but with a distinct contemporary interpretation where their acoustic sound is enhanced by electronic gadgets.

As multi-instrumentalists, the two artists translate messages from their ancestors through rhythms and grooves. Their vocal chanting enhances trance to rhythmic patterns that grace us by melodies of the future and past.

Thanks to their Belgian-Ghanaian and South-African roots, they are unique in their being, strong in their union and connected on deep artistic and spiritual levels. The collaboration between ESINAM and Sibusile Xaba is bringing healing to body and soul.

In 2018 Esinam discovered Sibusile Xaba during his European (solo)tour. She was enchanted by his musical energy and craftsmanship and invited him as a vocal guest feature on the track 'Flowing River', from her debut album 'Shapes in Twilights of infinity'. When she was asked at the first edition of WOMAD Festival in South Africa if she wanted to collaborate with a 'local artist', she didn't have to think twice.

So in October 2022, Esinam and Sibusile seized this opportunity to dive into the rehearsal and recording studio, and discover and combine each other's musical universes to shape up new music together.

In May 2023 this collaboration continued with rehearsals, recordings and a first European tour with performances in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Slovenia.

In March 2024 they released the first single 'Africa Wola' out of the fothcoming album. In November 2024, they released a remix of their first single by South-African DJ and producer DaCapo and played at Visa for Music in Morocco.




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Tracklist
A1. Anneleen Boehme - The tempest
A2. Anneleen Boehme - Lament for the worried
A3. Anneleen Boehme - Improvisation in C minor
A4. Anneleen Boehme - A mother's waltz

B1. Anneleen Boehme - Furorem
B2. Anneleen Boehme - Fuga ante proelium
B3. Anneleen Boehme - Lux
B4. Anneleen Boehme - Galaxy-brain
B5. Anneleen Boehme - Merry's Lullaby


In this solo project, Anneleen Boehme pushes the boundaries of the double bass, striving to transcend them in all their forms. She places particular emphasis on the instrument's acoustic sound, subtly highlighting its rich, resonant voice.

Anneleen Boehme is a prominent figure in the Belgian jazz scene, known for her work as a double bassist across various projects.
Her virtuosity on the double bass was already evident in LABtrio, and her skill as both a composer and bandleader was showcased in Grand Picture Palace. Now, in her solo work, we experience Anneleen's genuine vulnerability, as she explores the deep connection with her ever-present companion: the double bass. Her music is a balm for the soul, and her playing is deeply moving, leaving no listener unaffected.

In this solo project, Anneleen Boehme pushes the boundaries of the double bass, striving to transcend them in all their forms. She places particular emphasis on the instrument's acoustic sound, subtly highlighting its rich, resonant voice. The music that warms her heart is at the core of this exploration: both her original compositions written specifically for the double bass, as well as solo arrangements of existing works and improvisations. Her passion for both jazz and classical music is beautifully expressed throughout. This is an embrace of the double bass, its deep tones, and pure musicality.

Eunoia is Anneleen Boehme's debut solo album, set for release on April 18th, 2025, and it is a dedication to herself.
"I wrote a story about who I am, about the path I've walked so far. About how the mind can drive you mad and how, amidst it all, you can find peace. I hope it will offer you the same. Sadness, joy, and comfort for your soul."

The double bass has the unique ability to convey our most melancholic emotions, and this album is no exception. Yet, its warm tones also offer a sense of healing and comfort. In most tracks, the double bass stands alone in its simple elegance, but in Fuga Ante Proelium, Anneleen's voice joins her instrument, adding a new layer to the musical experience.




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Erudite, the upcoming album by Thomas Decock, is a powerful exploration of modern jazz fusion that uniquely intertwines literature and music.Inspired by iconic literary characters and novels, the album aims to bring the profound emotions and complex themes of these stories to life through music.



This project reflects the collective creativity of Thomas Decock and his band, pushing the boundaries of jazz and redefining them with an innovative approach.
Compositions such as the exhilarating and dynamic Rodya, inspired by Dostoevsky's renowned novel Crime and Punishment, and the refined interpretation of Joni Mitchell's Cherokee Louise, showcase both technical virtuosity and profound emotional engagement. From the sharp, angular theme of Rodya to the lyrical melody of Emma-inspired by the character from Flaubert's Madame Bovary-which also highlights the acoustic qualities of the ensemble, Erudite offers a wide palette of musical colors, ranging from intense improvisation to expressive, lyrical moments.


The music on the album is characterized by the remarkable interaction between the musicians, who are equally at home in jazz and electronic music. Both individual and collective improvisation form the core of the band's musical expression. The sound is crafted through a blend of electronic and acoustic instruments. Erudite is not only an album for jazz enthusiasts but also for listeners intrigued by how music can complement and deepen literary narratives.


Released under the W.E.R.F. label, the album promises an engaging listening experience for a broad audience, from jazz purists to fans of innovative music. Erudite is a work that brings the spirit of both music and literature to life, taking the listener on a journey through the musical translation of classic stories.



Tracklist
A1. Thomas Decock - Rodya
A2. Thomas Decock - Cherokee Louise
A3. Thomas Decock - Vasudeva

B1. Thomas Decock - Buendia
B2. Thomas Decock - Emma
B3. Thomas Decock - Some Place in India
B4. Thomas Decock - Roquetin
B5. Thomas Decock - The Young King



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Tracklist

A1. Giovanni Di Domenico - Aoede
A2. Giovanni Di Domenico - Melete

B1. Giovanni Di Domenico - Mneme

At the request of W.E.R.F. Records, Giovanni created an entirely new repertoire, teaming up with saxophonist Alexandra Grimal and drummer Eric Thielemans.



Brussels based pianist Giovanni Di Domenico was born in Rome in 1977. Majoring in 'jazz piano' at music school - he further built on an encyclopaedic technique; rhythm, harmony and tone are informed by non-western traditions yet equally sensitive to Debussy's "Préludes", Luciano Berio's "Sequenzas", to the 'ambi-ideation' heard in Borah Bergman's Soul Note recordings, Cecil Taylor's polissemic density, Paul Bley's bruised transparency and of course, the most radical manifestations stemming from the underworld of pop music, invariably tied together by his own original praxis.


A distinction - one would call it generational - he shares with many of the musicians he has crossed paths with recently, of which we could enumerate Nate Wooley, Chris Corsano, ArveHenriksen, Jim O'Rourke, Alexandra Grimal, Tetuzi Akiyama, João Lobo or Toshimaru Nakamura.


At the request of W.E.R.F. Records, Giovanni created an entirely new repertoire, teaming up with saxophonist Alexandra Grimal and drummer Eric Thielemans. This collaboration resulted in Echolalia, a suite consisting of three parts: Aoede, Melete, and Mneme. The music is captivating, adventurous, and above all, fascinating.



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