First Word Recs xmas goodies

Free download from the nice folk at First Word Records. Features some cool cats like Souleance, Ross McHenry, Riot Jazz Brass Band and more.

"The 10th instalment of our Two Syllables Compilation series. This is our Christmas gift to all of you who have made 2013 such a memorable year for us at First Word. Every artist who released something on the label this year is included, with tracks from Teotima, The Fontanelles, Tall Black Guy, Comfort Fit, Frameworks, Yosi Horikawa, Ross McHenry and Souleance. We also have a couple of new tracks from Essa and Riot Jazz Brass Band (look out for more music from both of them in 2014), and tracks from a couple of artists from our extended family in the shape of Sleepin' Giant and Strangelove."

Teotima

From First Word Records... "We're proud to announce the debut album from 14-piece spiritual jazz ensemble Teotima.

Formed by guitarist-composer Greg Sanders, the album blends grooves from West Africa, Cuba and Brazil, adding the sensibility of classic American soul and funk. As an intrinsically live project, all the individual band members were key to the project and their improvisation is a central part of the album. 

Recorded live at London's Fishmarket Studios under the watchful eye of engineer Ben 'Nostalgia 77' Lamdin, the record achieves a synchronicity that only this kind of old-fashioned approach can produce.

You can check out the album teaser below, and the video for lead-track 'Orange Lamps' (as debuted on Okay Player affiliate site 'Revive') here.

Band-leader Greg has also put together an influences mix over at our Mixcloud page, you can find that here. Most importantly you can listen to, and buy the album right here. It's available on vinyl, CD and download. Londoners can see what is sure to be a rare live show at the stunning Wilton's Music Hall on December 10th. Details of that are here."

Fontanelles: Horns of Freedom debut

This a rather groovy record, give it a listen... "We’re delighted to announce the debut album from The Fontanelles. Originally formed to be the onstage band for the London run of Fela! The Musical, the band’s natural chemistry was such that they instinctively continued performing together when the show ended. They took the energy of the stage show and started working on original material, adding reggae, ethio-jazz and ska influences to the afrobeat source.

Their debut album takes in everything that defines The Fontanelles’ distinct sound. There’s uptempo Afrobeat thumpers (Gaia’s Revenge, the seismic Afrocat and recent single Criminality), mid-tempo dub groovers (Pinprick & Project 31) and the band’s unique take on lo-slung funk (The Wave)."

Out now on First Word Records - CD/LP/Digital.

New Souleance EP

Out now via First Word Records: "The brand new EP from Souleance is available now in all good record shops (including Bandcamp). With support from Gilles Peterson, Jeremy Sole, Laurent Garnier and Huey Morgan it's an absolutely essential release! Have a look at the teaser video here and pick up your copy here. If you buy the record from us you get an immediate download of the full EP - nice huh! As ever, artwork is handled by the super-talented Alice Dufay - magnifique!"

Sousamaphone

Been enjoying sent this tasty, brassy album from Manchester's Riot Jazz Brass Band, take a listen here... out now on on First Word Records (Tall Black Guy, Ariya Astrobeat, Yosi Horikawa)..

"Following on from their storming debut single in May, Riot Jazz Brass Band are back with a full-length album of horn-fuelled dancefloor heaters. The group have been making waves for 5 years now, blowing away audiences across Europe with their infectious live shows. Based around the creative nucleus of Nick Walters (Trumpet) and Steve Pycroft (Drums) they take their influences from the likes of Hot 8 Brass Band and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, adding an unmistakably Mancunian twist."

www.riotjazz.com
www.facebook.com/riotjazzrepublic

Riot Jazz Brass

Got sent this absolutely wicked album from Manchester's Riot Jazz Brass Band, take a listen... out August 19 on First Word Records (Tall Black Guy, Ariya Astrobeat, Yosi Horikawa)..

"Following on from their storming debut single in May, Riot Jazz Brass Band are back with a full-length album of horn-fuelled dancefloor heaters. The group have been making waves for 5 years now, blowing away audiences across Europe with their infectious live shows. Based around the creative nucleus of Nick Walters (Trumpet) and Steve Pycroft (Drums) they take their influences from the likes of Hot 8 Brass Band and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, adding an unmistakably Mancunian twist."

www.riotjazz.com
www.facebook.com/riotjazzrepublic

First Word goodies

First Word Records have dropped the latest installment of their free compilation Two Syllables...

They say "It’s become a tradition over the last few years that we release one of our Two Syllables Compilations to coincide with Soundwave Festival ... First Word has been involved with Soundwave since day one and this year was no different, Tall Black Guy, Essa & Mr Thing, Riot Jazz Brass Band, kidkanevil and DJ Gilla all represented this year, with the FW vs Wah Wah 45s boat party a particular highlight...

"There are tracks [on here] from most of our recent releases, with Frameworks, Yosi Horikawa, Comfort Fit, Riot Jazz Brass Band, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, Souleance and Future Wildstyle all represented. This is backed by an exclusive track from Essa featuring Devise and a dope Danny Breaks-esque track from our good friend DJ Lok."