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Manava Lery – Peach bubble tea
In her latest jazz pop offering, Manava Lery stirs the music world with “Peach Bubble Tea,” a swing-inspired track that promises a delightful escape into vibrant rhythm and energy. Known for her signature mix of contemporary pop blended with jazz nuances, Manava adopts an audacious approach, inviting her group of friends as backing vocalists to enhance the playful spirit of this song. This creative decision amplifies the whimsical appeal of “Peach Bubble Tea,” reminiscing of a joyous musical carnival.
Much like the seasoned musicians she’s collaborated with, including those from her hometown Tahiti, Manava ensures an authentic sound enriched by diversity and expressive charm. As her soulful voice dances through the upbeat notes, listeners are invited into a world where humor and swing seamlessly intertwine. With this release, Manava Lery continues her artistic journey exploring genres, forever drawing us all onto the dance floor. In a world where music becomes a companion, “Peach Bubble Tea” surely sips its way into hearts across the jazz pop spectrum.
Siavash Kamkar – Az Zagros Ta Zuiderzee
On November 21st, 2024, Marvash, the Iranian/Dutch ensemble, unveiled their latest sonic journey, the EP ‘Az Zagros Ta Zuiderzee.’ It expertly fuses the Middle Eastern vibes and roots world music with Western influences, underscoring Marvash’s signature bridging of cultural frontiers.
Structured as a captivating 12-minute mini-suite, ‘Az Zagros Ta Zuiderzee’ is an aural voyage from the peaks of Iran to the ancient waters of the Netherlands. Each of its six chapters artfully contrasts Persian and Dutch musical philosophies yet triumphantly melds them into a cohesive soundscape that resonates with both improvisational freedom and danceable rhythms.
Pivotal to Marvash’s creativity is the versatile use of the Persian santur, traditionally monophonic in its roots but transformed here into a dynamic, polyphonic force. Following their 2022 release, ‘Dar Amalga,’ Siavash Kamkar further expands their repertoire with lush tapestries of jazz fusion, pop, rock, and beyond. With this release, Marvash continues to redefine cultural connections through music, inviting listeners to journey along their boundless harmonic path.
MANTRA – Song for Avishai
The Hanover-based modern jazz trio, MANTRA, unveils their latest single, “Song for Avishai,” a fitting homage to the esteemed bassist Avishai Cohen. Fascinated by the interplay of opposites and contradictions, MANTRA crafts their sound through a seamless blend of pop harmonies, rock elements, and free improvisation—hallmarks of contemporary jazz living and breathing in a modern lounge setting.
Founded in 2022, MANTRA—comprising Valentin on piano, Linus on bass guitar, and Dejan on drums—presents music that exists as a canvas, brimming with contrasting colors and emotions. In “Song for Avishai,” the listener is invited into an expansive soundscape where expressive melodies flow effortlessly into driving rhythms, creating a space to both lose and find oneself.
With their debut EP “The Quiet Mind” venturing into their musical repertoire, MANTRA beckons listeners to embark on journeys that compel introspection and discovery, all within the warm embrace of jazz’s contemporary evolution.
Schäffter – The Old Jazz Beats
To listen to Schäffter is to step into a time capsule where the elegance of brass meets the laid-back ethos of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. With the release of his latest single, “The Old Jazz Beats,” the French trombonist and beatmaker furthers his journey into sound that entices musical purists and modern chillout aficionados alike. Schäffter’s trombone artistry has the uncanny ability to evoke nostalgia, paying homage to the jazz legends of yesteryears, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries with contemporary rhythms that resonate with today’s listeners.
In his words, “In my recent projects, I’ve been trying to work between lo-fi sounds and the integration of live instruments. The goal is to then rework the sound to create unique tracks that are easily recognizable by the presence of brass instruments!” With over 10,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Schäffter’s fusion of jazz with lofi beats echoes across generations, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of modern music. Join him this November 22, as he releases “The Old Jazz Beats,” and immerse yourself in a realm where traditional jazz meets the future.
Igor Yakovenko – PROMENADE
As the musical cosmos celebrates the 150th anniversary of Modest Mussorgsky’s seminal “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Igor Yakovenko crafts an audacious tribute with his album, “Promenade.” Seamlessly merging classical precision with cinematic jazz spontaneity, Yakovenko redefines Mussorgsky’s timeless work for a modern audience.
Each of the twelve tracks on “Promenade” stays true to Mussorgsky’s original spirit, while Yakovenko embarks on his own exploratory odyssey. “For me, the heritage of the past is a treasure trove to be reimagined and shared with new audiences,” he explains. The album serves as an interdisciplinary dialogue, where Yakovenko’s piano compositions reflect contemporary art, creating a dynamic narrative.
Collaborating with eleven contemporary Russian artists, Yakovenko constructs a unique soundscape that is both a homage and a transformation. This album transcends traditional boundaries, engaging listeners with its classical roots while inviting them into an avant-garde gallery of jazzy improvisations and experimental sound textures. Embracing a bold future, “Promenade” reimagines classical narratives into cinematic auditory experiences.
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