If you’re looking for some great new music to discover this weekend, look no further than our weekly New Release Cheat Sheet. This week, we bring you a powerful collaboration between Masta Ace and Analog Players society, the premiere of a new track from Austro-Belgian guitarist TOMÁ’s debut album, plus new music by Kurt Elling, Antony Braxton and more.
New Songs and Videos
Masta Ace and Analog Players Society, “Home In America”
Brooklyn rapper Masta Ace and the Analog Players Society, the collective effort founded by producer/engineer Amon, have shared their collaborative single, “Home in America,” via Ropeadope. This timely Juneteenth drop finds the legendary Juice Crew member exposing the devastating multi-generational impact of systemic racism on Black Americans in three verses. “The opportunity to collaborate with Analog Players Society gave me an outlet to voice some of my angst and give a sound to my thoughts from the past year,” says Masta Ace via a press release.
TOMÁ, “Green” [Song premiere]
Austro-Bulgarian guitarist Tomá Ivanov, a.k.a. TOMÁ, is set to release his debut album, ATOM, on June 30. His marriage of heady electronic funk, jazz harmonies and psychedelic neo-soul improvisations results in a trippy, sonic voyage that, as he explains, represents “getting lost and reassembling a different self out of the chaos.” “Green” is the new single from the album, premiering here, and is accompanied by a video directed by Dominik Galleya that reflects this theme. Pre-order ATOM here.
Kurt Elling, “Sassy”
Vocalist Kurt Elling will release SuperBlue, his follow-up to the GRAMMY-winning Secrets Are the Best Stories, on October 8 via Edition Records. The announcement comes with the release of its first single, a reinvention of The Manhattan Transfer’s tribute to the legendary Sarah Vaughan, “Sassy.” SuperBlue is Elling’s collaboration with producer/guitarist Charlie Hunter and also boasts two Butcher Brown members: drummer Corey Fonville and bassist/keyboardist DJ Harrison. Pre-order it here.
New Albums
Anthony Braxton, Quartet (Standards) 2020 (New Braxton House Records)
Anthon Braxton, one of the most prolific and influential voices in free and experimental jazz, releases today Quartet (Standards) 2020, a 13-CD deluxe box set documenting his European tour of 2020. The 67 tracks culled from live sets and performed with pianist Alexander Hawkins, bassist Neil Charles and drummer Stephen Davis aim to represent decades of American music, from the Great American Songbook to Paul Simon via the music of many jazz luminaries. Order it here.
Ben Goldberg, Everything Happens To Be (BAG Production)
For his new record of original compositions, clarinet innovator Ben Goldberg convened a group of what he refers to as “distinct and eccentric musical personalities.” Everything Happens to Be features a formidable ensemble of some of New York’s most exciting musicians, including guitarist Mary Halvorson, tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin, bassist Michael Formanek, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Order it here.
Tomoko Omura, Branches Vol. 2 (Outside In)
Shizuoka-born violinist/composer Tomoko Omura’s fifth album, Branches Vol. 2, is her follow-up to last summer’s Branches Vol. 1, featuring six more of her original compositions inspired by Japanese folktales and arrangements of Japanese popular songs. Accompanying her on this exploration of sound and culture is her working quintet with guitarist Jeff Miles, pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Pablo Menares and drummer Jay Sawyer. Order it here.
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