Review: Emile & The Education - Lamad (Distro via Fresh Selects)

There seems to be a fair amount of next generation Roy Hargrove love at the moment and Emile Martinez is one of the LA 'comtemporary jazz' leaders and 'Lamad' is his debut as a bandleader - be prepared to be educated.

Emile is a graduate of Berklee College and has worked with some of the biggest names like Anderson .Paak, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and long-time member of The RH Factor, jazz keyboardist/pianist/musical director, Brian Hargrove.  He also worked on the album 'Katalyst' as part of the Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Katalyst Jazz Is Dead 13 project.

'Lamad' is a continuation of that training of jazzy hip-hop soul as fused inbetween modern electronics at one end and "swirling spirtuality" at the othere with Martinez's "warm trumpet tones" in the middle.

The album's titlee comes from his late-friend Damal's name backwards as a dedication to him so tracks like 'Orison To Damal's Light', 'Lamad's Orison' (which features Carlos Niño) and 'Elegy For Lamad (Tears of Ms. Dobbs)' are obviously thoughtful and sensitive.

Equally, we are told that the album is "for my friends, my family, the students I mentor, and anyone who believes in love, vulnerability, and truth through music.”  And talking of teachers, we learn his first trumpet teacher Clay Jenkins, was the inspiration for the opening track. 'Made Of Clay' (Ed. did you see etc).

And whilst there's some lovely Hargrove trumpet at times, this is no 'tribute' album and whilst there's the mirrors to current new jazzer (Yussef Dayes, Theo Croker et al), particulary on the drums there's some fantastic keys 'n' synths and on longest track (10 mins), 'Willis & Annie' there's a electric guitar solo that hasn't been heard since the likes of McLauglin in Mahavishnu Orchestra (Ed. wonder if it was one of those 70s twin necks?)

Who knows what Miles would be doing in 2025 but I'd like to think the spirit of 'Osad's House' (with a bigger band sound), the 'free'-ish 'Patience & Release' and where the harmonising vocals of Gaby Duran are added (this could be the jazz version of the recently released SHOLTO's cinematic 'The Sirens' - see review HERE), 'Lamad' is not far from Jazz Not Jazz

As most of the tracks are quite long, it's likely that the usual suspects will be supporting this one like late night Jazz on 3 (Ed. used to love 'The Late Junction'), BBC Radio 6's Gilles Peterson, Jazz FM and the more the leftflied elements on WYEP, KEXP, Rinse FM, Totally Wired Radio and other 'ambient atmospheric electronic' jazz: either way, this album is going to make waves, air and otherwise: Damal (RIP).

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: LAMAD | Emile and The Education

Artist: Emile & The Education

Title: Lamad

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label :  Distro via Fresh Selects

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Credits All tracks composed and produced by Emile Martinez. All tracks recorded by Tom Khare, apart from Track 10 (Tom Khare & Garfield Adams) All tracks mixed by Garfield Adams. All tracks mastered by Jaclyn Sanchez and Garfield Adams. All Artwork (singles, album) - Camille Stemmons, Brooklyn Stemmons Project Manager(s) - Hossien Kaviani, Delia Tesileanu 

1. Hands Made of Clay Emile Martinez - Trumpet Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Brian Hargrove - Keys Siya Makuzeni - Vocals Allakoi Peete - Percussion Brandon Cordoba - Keys Camille Ramirez - Flute David Otis - Alto Sax Jonah Levine - Trombone Jonathan Pinson - Drums Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Owen Clapp - Bass 

2. A Finch’s Walk (Gaby’s Song) Emile Martinez - Trumpet Gaby Duran - Vocals Neon Phoenix - Bass Roger Bendford aka Joose - Drums Brandon Cordoba - Keys Eddie Cole - Vocals 

3. Orison to Damal’s Delight 
 Emile Martinez - Trumpet Jimetta Rose - Trumpet Jonathan Hoard - Trumpet Carlos Nino - Percussion Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Brandon Cordoba - Keys Corbin Jones - Bass Gregory Webster - Drums Alakoi Peete - Percussion 

4. The Path Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Jonathan Pinson - Drums Allakoi Peete - Percussion Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax David Otis - Alto Sax Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass Jonah Levine - Trombone Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin 

5. Lamad’s Orison Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Jonathan Pinson - Drums Jonathan Hoard - Vocals
Alakoi Pete aka Mic Holden Percussion, Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass David Otis - Alto Sax Gregory Webster - Drums Jamal Moore - Bass Clarinet Jonah Levine - Trombone, Carlos Ninos - Percussion 

6. Elegy for Lamad (Tears of Ms. Dobbs) Nanna B - Vocals Gaby Duran - Vocals Roger Bendford aka Joose - Drums Brandon Cordoba - Keys Neon Phoenix - Bass 

7. Willis and Annie Emile Martinez - Trumpet Brandon Cordoba - Keys Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Jonathan Pinson - Drums Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Viola/Violin Allakoi Peete - Percussion Camille Ramirez - Flute Corbin Jones - Bass David Otis - Alto Sax Jonah Levine - Trombone 

8. OTWT (The Path) Brandon Cordoba - Keys Alakoi Pete aka Mic Holden Jonathan Pinson – Drums Corbin Jones - Bass 

9. Osad’s House Emile Martinez - Trumpet Sam Reid - Keys Allakoi Peete - Percussion Brandon Cordoba - Keys Corbin Jones - Bass Eddie Cole - Vocals Gregory Webster - Drums Jonah Levine - Trombone Jimetta Rose - Vocals 

10. Patience and Release Emile Martinez - Trumpet Sam Reid - Keys Aaron Shaw - Tenor Sax Jody Giachello - Drums Gaby Duran - Vocals Heather Gray - Modular Synthesizer Programming Neon Phoenix - Bass 

Review: Mulukèn Mellèssè - Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band (Heavenly Sweetness)

Bandcamp Friday and out today! Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band is a big surprise!

I love how label's like Heavenly Sweetness can swing from he brilliant Ludivine Issambourg (check her album, 'Above The Laws' - see review HERE) to a 12" from the Djingo Typical Band 'Vini Ouais (see reviw HERE) to this gem of a LP by Mulukèn Mellèssè. 

Mulukèn Mellèssè! Who? Indeed, you could say that as this is the "lost masterpiece of the Swinging Addis era".   Originally released in 1976, it's said to be one of the final Ethiopian LPs before the Derg regime halted independent musical life and reshaped the country’s cultural landscape.

So it's a bit of a surprise that it sounds in the Mulatu Astatke ball park as it showcases the extraordinary voice of Mulukèn Mellèssè, a prodigy whose emotional depth, lyrical sensitivity, and early recordings made him one of the most singular figures in modern Ethiopian music

Backed by the visionary Dahlak Band, featuring major arrangers and instrumentalists of the time; the album reflects a rare level of musical refinement, blending ethio-groove, soul, jazz-inflected horns, and hypnotic rhythms

A vital historical restoration, revealing the creative peak of Ethiopia’s modern music scene just before its abrupt suppression - now reissued to reclaim its place as a cornerstone of the Ethiopian groove canon

Bound to sell-out fast so get your pre-orders in now.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Muluken Mellesse With The Dahlak Band | Muluken Mellesse | ETHIOPIQUES SERIES

Artist: Mulukèn Mellèssè  

Title:  Mulukèn Mellèssè with The Dahlak Band

Release Date : 5th December

Catalog Number : TBC-

Label : Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Belleruche - Tape Mask / Stand to Refuse / Without You (Hippoflex Recording Industries)

The return of Turntable Soul Music with Kathrin deBoer, Ricky Fabulous and DJ Modest trio better known as Belleruche.

Since their launch in 2005 on Tru-Thoughts, Belleruche have always impressed with their four albums before they disbanded.

Fronted by the vocals of Kathrin DeBoer they always were in the Neo Soul, Funky, Hip-hop beats that touched on (then 'new thing') BRUK.

Well, BRUK's back (although not here) and Belleruche are back too with 3 new tracks recorded in Scotland.  Not that you'd know as the vibe is still urban as they say:

Tape Mask: Swung blues vocals over a growling analogue synth, pulsing soul stabs and overdriven guitar. Stripped back electronic soul music heard through a vintage speaker, staring at the stars thinking about days to come and those that have gone.

Stand To Refuse: South west sub-bass meets sixties eastern mystical chords and both are pushed roughly along by lead booted drums. Kathrin's vocals channel spoken word protest poetry and call for joining in unity against modern systems that seek to divide and reduce us.

Without You: Sinister low end synths back up a bass guitar propelled by nervous energy. Double and ghosted vocals battle the pulse of the clipped percussion like a ECG readout. A guitar solo chopped and screwed that seems to be in exile from a yacht rock b-side. Whatever it is Belleruche make, this is an emotional example of it.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: bit.ly/3IXVt0s

Artist: Belleruche 

Title: Tape Mask / Stand to Refuse / Without You

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label :Hippoflex Recording Industries

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie - Power Pt. 1 (Tangential Music)

Fela Kuti's legacy of influence is all about the power he, and now his family, gives us, the people, but I don't think that even he could foresee how powerful this combination of Afrobeat and dub by Lagos Thugs and Youthis is!

Whilst it may not sound like the off-spring of The Shrine, this track has a back-story of note as it was first recorded with Joe Armon-Jones and Femi Koleoso (keys and drummer/bandleader from multi-award winning London jazz group, Ezra Collective) during their visit to Lagos Thugs in Lagos for 'Felabration' back in 2024.

After an initial mix, the band revisited the track — this time with Mario Orsinet, drummer for Seun Kuti, bringing fresh energy to the recording. The vision expanded even further when Paris-based dub sensation Youthie joined the project — an artist Lagos Thugs had long admired. Kino Doscun later added guitars and delivered the final mix, sealing the track’s unique sound.

Youthie, the French multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flute, accordion, etc), has made a name for herself on multiple dub-reggae fronted albums and on 'Power, Part 1' her jazz and dub fusion style puts Lagos Thugs’ Afrobeat roots into the spiritual dance(hall)

So exciting to think what 'Power, Part 2' will be so stay tuned!

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/power-27

Artist: Lagos Thugs feat. Youthie 

Title: Power

Release date: 4th December, 2025

Label: Tangential Music

Catalog Number:TBC

Format: Digital

Bass, Keyboards : Lagos Thugs
Drums : Mario Orsinet
Trumpet & Flute : Youthie
Guitar & Mix : Kino Doscun

Review: Temporary Blessings - Sumbisori (College Of Knowledge Records)

If you're keeping up to date with the graduates from the College Of Knowledge, Temporary Blessings have earnt a permanent gold star for this debut album, 'Sumbisori'.

So this is the 'big screen' version of the  Melbourne/Naarm cinematic soul movement that takes  jazzy-beats of 'student's like Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo and The Pro-Teens' and move the centre of groove ot 60s OST themes by the likes of Morricone and Piero Piccioni et al.

You'll recall the single, 'Fata Morgana' is high on the flute and vibes but these ten tracks have it all, 'Michelin Star' over looks the Bay of Naples all the way to Death In Venice and 'Silence Leaves an Open Wound'.

Led by Liam McGorry (trumpet player/piano/organ/composer) who is joined by Will Morrissey (tenor saxophonfe), Lachlan Stuckey (guitar). Tom Petitt (bass), Katarzyna Wiktorski (piano) and Hudson 'Brenda' Whitlock (drums, vibraphone - see 'Bath Time' review HERE).

The album ends on the 'drama' of 'Delon' and 'Carlton Streets' and whilst there's no 'Get Carter' theme, it's definitely in the Roy Budd envelope - order the vinyl before it sells of of the limited edition.

.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (VINYL): Sumbisori | Temporary Blessings

Artist: Temporary Blessings 

Title: Sumbisori 

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label: College Of Knowledge Records

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Shay Hazan - When It Rains It Pours (Batov Records)

Bassist, composer and producer Shay Hazan returns with his third solo album, ‘When It Rains It Pours’ on Batov Records where we find a shift away from previous global, jazz, funk and spiritual sounds to different global, jazz, funk and spiritual sounds!

If you can image Shay Hazan's last album 'Wusul' (Arabic for 'arrival' - see review HERE) being remixed and re-produced by Carlos Niño, Flying Lotus, Tinariwen all at the same time as this multi-instrumentalist works his magical synths and percussion into 11 new tracks. 

With the key players of the last album Eyal Netzer (tenor sax) on three tracks and Shahar Haziza (drums) on 'Embrace', Ziv Taubenfeld (bass clarinet) on another three tracks plus Roy Zuzovsky (trumpet) and Abate Berihum (vocals) both on the opener 'Kolot' the sound is similar whilst There seems to have been a move away from the Mulatu afro-jazz groove and less show-off twangy guitar ('Move On') but there's more than one stand-out track here as '4-8' lights up the jazz-dance and the global-hip-hop-rock of 'It Pours' and 'Haziza Has Got The Juice'.

It'll be a harsh critic to say the move from double bass to electric bass and no guimbri due Shay's developing joint issues has been a happy accident and you'll remember that the last album drew comparisions with Rejoicer and Nitai Hershkovits' 'Cinema Royal' (see review HERE) and you know what they say, "When It Rains It Pours" and in terms of this album, it sounds like its all for the good rather than bad.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: (very limited vinyl release of 500): When It Rains It Pours | Shay Hazan.

Artist: Shay Hazan 

Title: When It Rains It Pours

Release date: 5th December, 2025

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR130

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

 

Interview: Coco Chatru Quartet's 'Lost Christmas' Part 1 (with leader Håkan Trygger of Trygger Music)

Coco Chatru Quartet's 'Lost Christmas' is our 4th encounter with the group led by Håkan Trygger so we thought it was about time we had a chat about the new album, Ballin' The Jack Orchestra and "raising your jazz spirits with not the obvious seasonal fayre"!

If you're new to the Trygger Music "family', we know that the Coco Chatru Quartet have just released their third album, 'Lost Christmas' (see review HERE) that was preceeded by the album 'Future' (see review HERE) and 'Limbokolia' (see review HERE) but it was only recently we learnt of the Ballin' The Jack Orchestra that's fronted by trumpet player, Thomas Driving (an original member of Gugge Hendrenius Big Blues Band that started in the early 70s) and included trombonist Dicken Hedrenius (son of Gugge) and Ture Trygger (son of Håkan); not forgetting Charlie Malmberg as member of both BTJO and CCQ).

So it seemed a good time to investigate what's going on with modern Swedish jazz and Christmas at a recent reheasal:- 

Gerry Hectic (YATM): Can you tell me something about Coco Chatru Quartet, and the thoughts behind the album Lost Christmas? 

Håkan Trygger: Coco Chatru Quartet is a jazz project that originated as a collaboration between the members of the band and the Swedish artist John Andersson. The plan was to make three albums with covers by Andersson.

Charlie Malmberg (member of Gugge Hendrenius Big Blues Band, BallinTheJackOrchestra, baritone sax and saxophonist in CCQ): 'Future' had to be the first, obviously.

Linus Kåse (alto sax): When I saw John’s artwork »En syn – Tiden« (»A Vision – The Time« I knew instantly that the trilogy had to culminate in a Christmas album.

Daniel Kåse (drums/vibe): When we got deeper into the Coco Chatru project, new things were made clear to us.

HT: Yes, while thinking about Christmas song to record, we found new information about Coco Chatru.

CM: When we heard the rumours that Coco Chatru had starred in a Christmas movie, it was made clear that Linus was right all along. We had to do a Christmas album.

YATM: How the new record evolve from the previous two albums?

DK: The trilogy of albums fit together musically through the sound, familiar style…

CM: … the way we play. Even though we’ve broadened the palette of sound by adding more instruments on the later records.

LK: Sleighbells!

HT: No Christmas music is possible without sleighbells.

DK: The music on the first two albums evolved when we played them on gigs.

HT:  We also have more music, several recorded songs that did not fit into the albums musically and thematically. So the trilogy is not a finished project.

LK: Rather it is the beginning.

HT: The first trilogy in the Coco Chatru Saga.

DK: Yes. More albums are coming!

CM: … We have also produced music with CCQ for other projects; for example, we have done concerts together with poets and actors.

LK: Yes, we then added synthesizers and electronic devises. Big beats.

YATM:  Ok. What do we need to know about a Swedish Christmas traditions that we don't know about (especially related to the track titles)?

DK: We couldn’t record traditional Christmas music, not with this band. Even if we all like the Christmas Classics, both the jazz Christmas classics and the Swedish traditional music.

LK: There are lots of Swedish traditional Christmas songs.

HT: Several of them are drinking songs, like Hej tomtegubbar slå I glasen (»Hello Tomte Jubbas / Gnome-lads, raise your glasses«).

DK: Or songs that people used to sing and play while they danced around the Christmas Tree. Like Räven raskar över isen (»The Fox rushes over the ice«). Several of these songs are also sung at Midsommar, Midsummer’s Eve, in Sweden.

LK: Yes and we eat the same food at Christmas and at Midsummer parties. The song »Coco raskar över isen« on Lost Christmas is a playful shoutout to Räven raskar, combining folk rythms and melodies with jazz.

HT: And your songs, Linus, »Gästerna kommer« and »Prosten«…

LK: What about them?

HT: I think you said you were inspired by Ingmar Bergman, and his big scenes with dramatic dark undertones?

LK: Did I say that? … yes they have a sinister intent.

DK: Regarding Christmas, the word for Christmas in Swedish is »Jul«. A very old word going back to medieval heathen ages.

HT:  Yes, probably Jul was originally used for heathen midwinter celebrations, »midvinterblotet«, the sacrifice-party of winter.

LK: And also Jultomten – Father Christmas or the Christmas Gnome – has a special form in Sweden. He appears on the 24^th of December, suddenly knocking on the door…

DK: Pounding on the door.

LK: Yes, very loud. And giving presents to the kids.

CM: And before Jultomten, back in the old days, it was Julbocken (the Christmas-Goat) who pounded on the door.

HT: Julbocken!

DK: But Julbocken, I think, did not give presents to the kids. Rather it was some sort of public mischief…

LK: Yes, a Carnival! Julbockens karneval.

YATM: Any future gigs/radio appearances lined up?

DK: We have a series of gigs in the Stockholm area in December.

LK: Promoting 'Lost Christmas'.

CM: And we’re doing a Christmas show on a theatre in Södermalm, Stockholm, called Ö2scenkonst, together with an actor portraying Coco Chatru as the teller of horror stories.

HT: We are presently booking gigs for 2026. We would really love to come and play in England, Gerry!

YATM:  We'll certainly be looking forward to that but is there anything else about the band/you that you want to tell us?

DK: More music is coming. And more albums!

HT: We are also planning for a major film music project in cooperation with a movie theatre in Stockholm. The plan is that we are going to compose and perform music to Frits Lang’s classic Metropolis, during late fall 2026.

LK: We will continue to record new music and perform live, further exploring the adventures of Coco Chatru.

Well, as we thank the band for their time and insight on all things CCQ, (Ed. how exciting to hear news of a soundtrack as music inspired by Fritz Lang's classic futuristic silent film 'Metropolis' from 1927 for a 100 anniversary!)  we definitely going raise a glass to 'Lost Christmas' this month and check out some Swedish traditions (musically at least?)

Part 2: Interview with BallinTheJack (Trygger Music) with comments from Thomas coming soon. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://tidal.com

Artist: Coco Chatru Quartet

Title: Lost Christmas

Release date: 29th November, 2025

Label: Trygger Music

Catalog Number : TM4

Format : Vinyl LP / Spotify / Tidal 

Review: Yako Trio, Harris Lambrakis & James Wylie - Woven (Fair Weather Friends Records)

Blue Note in Greece?, Well it could be as Yako Trio presents thier new album 'Woven' with special guests Harris Lambrakis and James Wylie.

Well, we're having quite a 'Greek Week' at YATM after the experimental / improvisational Victor Tsilimparis, George Palamiotis, Sotiris Tsolis album, 'The Persistence Of Doubt' (see review HERE) compared to this 'straight' jazz by the impeccable Yako Trio (so good that this could have been recorded at the Van Gelder Studios in the 60s or released on Impulse!) with James Wylie (alto and tenor saxophones) and ethnomusicolgy doctorate, Harris Lambrakis (on ney).

There's something of Horace Silver Trio about this when Leandros Pasias is on piano and then on electric keys ('Klountzoa') we drift into a fusion, not fully 'Lonnie Liston Smith', but it leans that way with the excellent Vangelis Vrachnos (double bass) and Giorgos Klountzos Chrysidis (drums) who are make the trio tight bop-post bop unit

Perhaps it's because the addition of Lambrakis you'd think we'd be fully on Yussef Lateef with Lambrakis playing the ney (an end-blown flute that figures prominently in traditional Persian, Turkish, Jewish, Arab and Egyptian Music) but it's definitely close at times, 'Sweet Lotus' at one extreme and 'Speaking Voice' at the other with 'Impromptu' in the middle.

Then, perhaps it's the additon of Wylie that weaves this album into something special? He's certainly a bit part of the seven tracks of "East meets West" jazz connection as a proper jazz quintet that play as one.

Very limited vinyl release on this one and great artwork to go alongside the LP so get on it quick.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Ltd Vinyl 300 ONLY):Yako Trio, Harris Lambrakis & James Wylie - Woven | FWF Records

Artwork & Design by Beetroot Design

Artist: Yako Trio, Harris Lambrakis & James Wylie 

Title: Days

Release date: 5th December, 2025 

Label: Fair Weather Friends Records

Catalog Number: TBC

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Unknown Artist - Trentsetter (Shadow Pressings)

This 12" is slated to be 'Sold Out' very soon like the rest of the limited vinyl releases on the label so act now to get these four tracks so you too can be a 'Trentsetter'!

With previous releases on Shadow Pressings entitled, 'It Started In Chicago', 'In The House Club' and 'My Soul', you get the idea as to where this is going, hence 'Trentsetter'; as in Ron Trent, his latet album 'Lift Off' came out earlier this year -  see review HERE)

So you'll get the vibe of the shadowy figure of 'Unknown Artist' on white labels in deep "Chicago basements" and night time "Detroit lofts" as 'Am I' goes under a 90s organ with chopped up stabs of synth to spoken word, "I am the only one, that makes you lose your mind?"

Well, it's not the only track here that make you lose your mind.  The title track is heavy of the vocal repitition that could have been some sort of early Wetheral mix before the synth gettng pumpin' - rave party efficient is high. And taking of which, 'Unreleased Slices' take in that even earlier sound of the 'Pinky 'n Perky' period with raw technics that's sounds like been polished with modern equipment but with losing that energy - more organ again.

The other track, 'Dreamed Up Ecstasy' sound like a combination of the best bits of other three with some chimes on the synth leading the way as if it was ready for a seasonal rave (although it's not even close to 'Hark! The Heral Angels Sing).

If you're into classic house and beatdown Detroit, with the likes of DJ Split and Detroit's  Mike 'Agent X' Clark having released on Shadow Pressings previously, this is just one of the reasons releases from Shadow Pressing's 12s fetch the big bucks on the re-sale sites so get in quick and order now - see link below.

P.S. Did I ever tell you about the time Agent X was my 'warm-up' DJ on a radio station! Another time. 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER https://www.juno.co.uk/products/shadow-pressings-trentsetter-ep-vinyl/1116182-01/

Artist: Unknown Artist
Title: Trentsetter
Release date: 5th December, 2025
Label: Shadow Pressings
Catalog Number  SHDW07 
Format: 12" VINYL / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Yeditepe / Asmalı (Nublu Records)

Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions is world's away again, "guiding listeners through a sonic exploration of Istanbul's diverse neighborhoods where tradition meets innovation and the ancient pulse of the city merges with contemporary rhythms" -this is the latest release on New York’s legendary Nublu Records!

We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Ilhan Sersahin's Istanbul Sessions: Yeditepe / Asmalı

Artist: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions

Title:    Yeditepe / Asmalı 
Release date: 2nd December, 2025
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number: NUB-0692
Format:  Digital