Review: Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi - Whispers Of Rain (Tru-Thoughts)

"Internationally acclaimed harpist Alina Bzhezhinska (pronunciation - Bshe-shin-ska) and Ibiza-based producer Tulshi announce their collaborative album ‘Whispers of Rain’, Alina’s debut album with Tru Thoughts".

If you've been following Alina with us from the single back in March (see review HERE) and her collaborations with Tony Kofi and The HipHop Collective, you'll know that this is the perfect festival season summer chill sound, especially as the seven tracks are based on the cooling element of rain; in all its forms.

Taking Alina's spirtiual jazz and classical background and Tulshi's electronic, tech-dub ambient knowledge they synch together like children playing; which was the inspiration for the first track they ever did called 'Child's Play' which opens the album up for a full 9 minutes.

You can tell from the track titles, 'Starling', 'Across The Sea', 'Warm Days, Cold Nights' and the closing track 'Journey's Home' that there's a instrumental narrative connection between both musicians and the tracks:  indeed, there's a near 40 minute continuous mix 'bonus track' on the digital release. 

One track definitely not to overlook is the Afro-tech jazz-house of 'Nomad's Nocturne' that's heavy in its percussion and takes for early Kraftwerk/Tangerine Dream.

You can't review one of Alina's albums without mentioning Alice Coltrane or Dorothy Ashby (Ed. it's the law) but 'Whispers Of Rain' is this years' Floating Points' 'Promises' without Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra (Ed. that was 2021!)

Alina will be hosting a listening party at Brilliant Corners, London on Monday 23rd June, followed by an album launch show at The Vortex, London on Friday 4th July, featuring Tony Kofi (saxophone) and special guests!

BUY LINK: Whispers of Rain | Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi | AlinaHipHarp

Artist:  Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi

Title:  Whispers Of Rain 
Release date: 11th July, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  TRU467
Format: Black Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: MELONYX - Soul Glow Remixes (No'West, Ten Thousand Nights, Tyler Daley, Dub-Liner & Riffz Remixes) (Tru-Thoughts Recordings)

Nottingham is the home of the pairing of Georgia Copeland and Nadia Latoya (aka MELONYX) and their 'Slow Glow' remixed project is out today featuring the No'West team, Ten Thousand Nights, Tyler Daley, Dub-Liner & Riffz.

Originally on the Joe Buhdha produced album 'Slow Glow' from 2023, it's a good time to release as 4 different remixers/7 tracks with vocal and instrumental versions plus two dub versions; how does that work out?

Taking pride of place is our favourite No'Westers (aka Ashley Beedle, Darren Morris and Jo Wallace) with their own pack of 3 as vocal, instrumental and dub.  Fresh from their 'Black Market' remixes of Dan The Drum & Stuart Patterson's anthem, 'UK House Sermon' (featuring Carmy Love - see review HERE), their 'Soul Glow' is very different as they stick with a R&B, Hip-hop, lovers rock slow jazz groove - perfect summer love.

At the other extreme, there's the Tyler Daley (Children Of Zeus) UKG-bass wobble whilst Ten Thousand Nights heads to the skies with "Butterflies" that's nicely dancefloor out-there with some Theo Parrish influence.

What you don't really expect is full on DnB as a vocal and extended dub from Dub-Liner & Riffz.  And even if I say so myself, as it follows the style of BiggaBush's 'This River' (the Gerry Hectic Towpath Extension that is also on Tru-Thoughts) it makes these two remixes particular favourites.

MELONYX have acquired to all your usual DJ fanbase, on BBC 6 Music alone, they include Craig Charles, Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Jamz Supernova and then there's also some guy called Elton John!  Elton currently fighting the Government about artist royalty issues, he's cool be to love and be loved by once again.

P.S.  And Children of Zeus have worked with Georgie Sweet who has her Jazz Cafe gig next month (see review HERE).

Artist:  MELONYX
Title:  Soul Glow Remixes
Release date: 20th May, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number  TRUDD582
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi - Whispers of Rain (Tru-Thoughts)

Finally, when spring is springing, here's some 'Whispers of Rain' that are cooler than cool.

Alina Bzhezhinska is one of the ever increasing jazz harpists that are taking the instrument back to Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby's spiritual heritage.

You'll recall that she joined forces with saxophonist Tony Kofi last year with 'Altera Vita' (see review HERE) and now she's with Ibiza-based producer/engineer/DJ Tulshi for this single.

Sounding exactly how you'd expect it would sound being influenced by John Coltrane's 'After The Rain' and Tulshi looking out on a rain shower with a cup of tea in his hand; quite zen, quite Japanese ornamental garden.

There's a tour and an album launch - at the Vortex with Mr. Kofi - see below:

Whispers of Rain’ Live Dates:

23/06/25 - Brilliant Corners, ‘Whispers of Rain’ - New album listening party, London
3/07/25 - Peggie’s Skylight, ‘Whispers of Rain’ - Preview show, Nottingham
4/07/25 - The Vortex, ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tulshi, Tony Kofi & Ni Maxine, London
16/08/25 - The Bear Club, ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tony Kofi, Luton
16/09/25 - EastSideJazz ‘Whispers of Rain’ ft. Tony Kofi, London

Previous support for Alina Bzhezhinska includes: Jazzwise, Irish Examiner, Jazzitalia, Downbeat, Youandthemusic (Ed. that's us!), The Entertainment Factor, The Quietus, All About Jazz and more

Artist: Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi 

Title: Whispers of Rain 

Release date: 18th March, 2025

Label : Tru-Thoughts

Catalog Number : TRUDD649

Format:  Digital Bandcamp