JAKARTA News

https://b2b.integralmusic.com/articles/2046502

d 4 Siena (64kbit/s) feat. Raelle Meron


g 7 Crimson (64kbit/s) feat. Raelle



k 11 24h (Joyride) feat. Jerome Thomas




[d] 4 Siena (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle Meron]


[g] 7 Crimson (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle]



[k] 11 24h (Joyride) [feat. Jerome Thomas]




[d] 4 Siena (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle Meron]


[g] 7 Crimson (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle]



[k] 11 24h (Joyride) [feat. Jerome Thomas]




[d] 4 Siena (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle Meron]


[g] 7 Crimson (64kbit/s) [feat. Raelle]



[k] 11 24h (Joyride) [feat. Jerome Thomas]

Dario Bassolino is pianist, producer and composer born in Naples, where he currently resides. With an eclectic taste and an genre-defying musical ability, he has produced for and played alongside alt-R&B vocalist LNDFK, jazz-funk legend Nicola Conte, Early Sounds boss Pellegrino and has collaborated with Nu Genea, Kurtis Rosenwinkel and rapper Pink Siifu to name a few. Inspired by the Brazilian funk greats Hermeto Pascoal and Airto Moreira and their Italian counterparts such as Franco Califano, Lucio Battisti, Panella, Enzo di Domenico and Gennaro D'Auria. Bassolino’s live show has a very organic form and is inspired by jazz, funk and disco improvisation, having extensive experience playing to enthusiastic international audiences as a session musician at prestigious festivals Primavera Sound, Montreux Jazz festival, Dour Festival and We Out Here.

Bassolino's new release is located where the sea begins and the sky ends. Two tracks that carry the horizon drawing a straight line between Naples, Tunisi and Beirut. A thin but tangible line that unites the Mediterranean poles. Hence the concept of "Popoli del Mare", the multiform sound waves intertwine a composition with an incessant rhythm: the Afro contamination of Charif Megarbane finds a fit with the Italian and dreamy harmonies of Bassolino. Baid Alik is a song of love and hope. The sound, purely inspired by the research of Habibi Funk, evokes the memory of an ancestral past shared by Bassolino with the Tunisian singer Marzouk Mejri.
His voice, halfway between proto- rap and melodic, mix perfectly to the disco-cinematic instrumental.

Gianni’s diverse profile is reflected both in his scene-hopping as well as his music. Besides producing Cologne Popbands like “Keshavara,” “Woman” and “Xul Zolar,” Gianni has released a number of EP and LP’s since 2017, culminating most recently with “Filigrani” EP in 2023 on Jakarta. Gianni’s new LP, “Sprechiamo!” is a meditation around Marvin’s relationship with Italian culture accompanied by research into Italian music such as Napoli Exchange, the Periodica label or Giuliano Sorgini. Within the album Gianni was looking less for his roots and moreover for his existing Italian bonds & vivid cultural exchange in his current habitat of Cologne, which he is rediscovering time and again by wandering through his neighborhood Ehrenfeld, Cologne. The quarter hosting a vivid scene of Italians who came in the 1950s, such as Gianni’s grandparents once did. “Sprechiamo! is a timeless release, one that would sit just as well in 1979 as it does in 2025. Vivid Italian references from composers of the 60’s / 70’s to recent Peridoica, allways mixed with a bit of Khrunagbin & Sven Wunder to give it Gianni’s own touch. Jakarta Records is ecstatic to share such a high-water mark of an album, arriving physically and digitally March 28th, 2025.

Credits:

Alt Sax: Johanna Klein & Inga Rothammel
Flute: Connie Trieder
Percussion (Hold The Wine): Gabriel Rodriguez
Piano (Chronos): Dario Bassolino
Piano (Via Xifonia): Simon Below
Percussion (Hold The Wine): Gabriel Rodriguez
Rhodes Piano: Jan Alexander
Synthesizer (Bapha): Eva Sviderski
Tenor Sax: Florian Fries
Violin (Bapha): Florian Meier
Vox (Chronos): Linda Feki

All songs written & produced by Marvin Horsch.
Fine With Me written by Simon Below & Marvin Horsch.

Producers S. Fidelity, Bluestaeb, and Melodiesinfonie form a powerhouse trio known for their innovative blend of RnB, House, and 2-Step sounds. Their collaborative magic often unfolds in unique settings, such as a picturesque studio in the South of France, where they crafted their long awaited EP "365 P". The trio's ability to capture the essence of live sessions and translate it into vibrant, downtempo grooves has earned them a reputation already. As a result the group created these most vibey tracks between RnB, House & 2-Step to their catalogue ever - catching the vibe of this beautiful sessions together with douniah.

“Being Stuck in a loop with someone. repeating the same conversations over n over while nothing changes.” - douniah
"We started working on a joint project in Paris at Bluestaeb’s flat in 2017 already. Over the course of the years following, we tried to continue working on the project remotely from Berlin, Paris and Zurich. With only one conclusion: we need to be in the room together to make this a record that feels exciting to us. This May we finally closed ourselves in for a week and created what has become this beautiful EP with tons of live recordings." - S. Fidelity

Amsterdam's resident by choice, Torky Tork's Seed Tape Vol.1 is a reminiscences to his love for growing plants. Having created his own personal "music for plants" project, to keep flora and fauna entertained and triggering the blooming process.
Simultaneously to the album, Torky's own OK KUSH weed-strain will be introduced to the world. The lush & laid-back stimulating sounds and baselines are beneficial for the plants and the listeners cortex equally.
Torky's sound - even across various projects can be described with the broad spectrum of influences. The restless Berlin native has never stuck to one formula. His urge for ever new input is reflected by the constant change in the centre of his life - for some years now, he has been constantly traveling back and forth between his Berlin Bunker studio and Amsterdam, his home of choice. So the influence of weed has naturally been around him for a while, yet inspiring him to dive into the album TWO BE OK.
The illustrious line-up of musical guests on the album contains Germany’s most in-demand producers, the self-taught bedroom beatmaker FloFilz, Berlin’s bunker studio affiliate S. Fidelity, wine aficionado Dexter (also mastering engineer of the album), Wandl and more. This is the perfect soundtrack for watering your favourite plants while watching them grow.

Introducing “Psyche Gems”, the Jakarta Records debut LP from LA based Rapper JUICEBOX & Norwegian producer duo Myeye. Debut LP “Psyche Gems,” a collaborative musical venture sparked by an impromptu Instagram jam session in 2021, is poised to mesmerize audiences. The brainchild of JUICEBOX, a versatile artist known for his roles as a singer, songwriter, rapper, and one half of the acclaimed group Figmore (with 10.4 Rog), “Psyche Gems” emerged from JUICEBOX's admiration for Simen Hallset's psych-pop band Gold Celeste (over 20 million Streams on Spotify). After reaching out to Simen, they swiftly connected with Henrik Norbakk, the other half of Myeye, igniting the genesis of the collaborative project. An Instagram jam session in 2021 gave sonic birth to LP “Psyche Gems”. Buttery vocals meet funky, soul-driven beats, meticulously recorded live, then chopped and repurposed to create an experience that transcends sonic definition. From vibrant head-nodding energy to lush beats seamlessly melded with an inimitable vocal delivery, “Psyche Gems” captures the essence of past and present, offering a kaleidoscope snapshot of life reflected through timeless grooves. The album's distinctive sound is characterized by meticulous layering, where each element is meticulously played, chopped, looped, and jammed over until achieving sonic perfection. United by their shared passion for old soul and jazz records, ‘90’s + ‘00’s hip hop, lo-fi indie, and psychedelic music, JUICEBOX and Myeye seamlessly fuse their diverse influences to craft a musical experience that resonates with listeners on a profound level. "We wanted to create something that inspires, provokes, and sheds light on the truths we all carry inside us," explains JUICEBOX. "Psyche Gems is more than just an album; it's an infinite journal entry of reflection, a testament to the power of music to illuminate the human experience."

Jakarta Records is proud to present “Les Grandes Vacances” courtesy of Beirut’s Cosmic Analog Ensemble, aka multi-instrumental phenom Charif Megarbane. The LP is an expansive musical odyssey, one that paints a melodic tapestry woven from an eclectic panorama of sonic tools. Funky beats, dreamy melodies + cinematic flair combine to create an experience that transcends time. From vibrant funky energy to introspective moods and library-inspired tunes, “Les Grandes Vacances” captures the essence of past and present, inviting you to indulge in the perfect balance of “groove-stalgia.” Out January 19, 2024.


Cosmic Analog Ensemble (1.6k Spotify Monthly Listeners – SML), the prolific one-man band helmed by Charif Megarbane (61.5k SML), the staggeringly prolific producer, instrumentalist, and all-around musical mastermind, returns to his “Ensemble” with LP “Les Grandes Vacances.” Megarbane's artistry has garnered widespread recognition, with notable placements in Spotify Editorial Playlists like "Global Groove" (679k) and "Folk Fabrique" (162k), along with coverage from esteemed platforms / publications such as BBC Radio, Bandcamp, The Vinyl Factory, Time Magazine, and Esquire, among others. Building on the success of his debut solo release “Marzipan” in 2023 via Habibi Funk, “Les Grandes Vacances” is a sonic journey that captures the full scope of Megarbane’s sonic habitus. As a composer and producer, Megarbane touts hugely versatile, sometimes volatile musicianship — his 100+ catalogue of projects (including legendary groups like the Cosmic Analog Ensemble, Free Association Syndicate, Monumental Detail, etc.) features a huge domain of sonic direction. Now, Jakarta Records presents a new expansion in the Megarbane sonic universe.

In the enchanting sonic world of “Les Grandes Vacances,” Cosmic Analog Ensemble expertly combines diverse musical elements to craft an immersive experience. From vibrant funky energy to introspective moments and library-inspired compositions, the album's sonic palette is rich and varied. The meticulously designed artwork by Simone Cihlar (known for collabs with Anderson Paak., Tom Misch, Ivan Ave, Tapioca and others) complements the album's thematic depth, enhancing the visual and auditory journey for listeners.

First single is the thrilling sonic escapade, “La Ligne Claire,” set to release on November 10th in conjunction with LP pre-order. The track immerses listeners in vintage spy movie ambiance, featuring groovy drums, warm keys, thematic guitars, and strings that create an unforgettable car chase scene. As part of the rollout schedule, this single offers a glimpse into the album's captivating fusion of nostalgia and innovation, promising a musical adventure that lingers and resonates in your ears. Second single, the lush and groovy “Le Dictionnaire des Sentiments,” follows in the sonic footsteps of Serge Gainsbourg (complete with beautifully poignant French lyricism), out December 8th to round out the year. The track jerks the listener towards a more meditative state and expanding, cinematic sound.

Kicking of 2024 will be the absolute funkified single 3 “Maritime Jazz,” out January 5th. The track transports you to a groovy marina where the movement of the sea and boats sways you along a Madlib / Yesterdays New Quintet-esque groove.

Reflecting on his creative process, Megarbane cites a stream of consciousness approach to the Cosmic Analog Ensemble: “It’s a very spontaneous, playful, and diary-like approach and workflow…I trust my instinct because instinct is based on experience.”

Gianni Brezzo (213k Monthly Listeners on Spotify), the jazz affiliated band / studio project led by Cologne-based producer maestro Marvin Horsch, has a diverse musical profile that is reflected both in his genre-hopping as well as his creative output. Along with producing for Cologne bands like Keshavara, Woman and Xul Zolar, Gianni has released a number of EP and LP’s since 2017, including 2021’s “The Awakening” which featured vocal appearances from Berlin/Tel Aviv based singer / producer J.Lamotta and soul singer Otis Junior from Louisville, Kentucky. Gianni’s 2022 LP “Tutto Passa,” released on Jakarta Records, was a meditation around Marvin’s relationship to Italian culture, accompanied by research into Italian composers of the 60’s / 70’s such as Piero Umiliani, Stelvio Cipriani and Armando Trovajoli to more recent work by Sven Wunder. This was quicklya followed up with EP “Amoria,” an extension of the themes grown from “Tutto Passa,” along with the groovy baroque-jazz of LP “Soundscapes Vol. 1 – Music for Harlequins.” Gianni’s tracks have consistently placed on Editorial Playlists including Spotify’s “State Of Jazz” (908k Likes), “Lounge Jazz” (75k Likes) “Jazz-Funk” (316k Likes) and more, and most recently was synced in an episode of Gossip Girl for HBO US. Gianni Brezzo’s new project, “Filigrani” is a testament to the continued sonic growth and experimentation that pushes the music to new heights. The tracks, meticulously crafted, were born live in the studio, capturing the raw energy and creativity of Brezzo's jazz-driven genius. "Filigrani" introduces a unique fusion, seamlessly blending jazz progressions with touches of ambient electronics. Brezzo weaves a tapestry of sound, inviting listeners into a world where guitar melodies intertwine with subtle drum beats, dreamy harps, and the enchanting whispers of saxophones and flutes. The result? A groovedriven masterpiece that expands the boundaries of sonic artistry. The single and LP artworks by the esteemed Jason Jagel (MF DOOM, Madlib, JJ Whitefield) provide the perfect accompaniment to Gianni’s ever shifting grooves. The albums lead single is eponymous “Filigrani” due out Wednesday, November 22nd with LP pre-order announcement the following Friday, December 1st. This is to capitalize both on Gianni’s upcoming festival appearance at Linecheck in Milan on November 22nd and Bandcamp Friday on December 1st. With a guitar + drum progression that will have you swaying along, the track ebbs and flows as if your ears are gently skiing down fresh sonic powder. Recorded live in studio, the tracks lush horns and tranquil synth pads slide to and fro, combining the best of Khruangbin-style acoustics w/ Gianni’s unparalleled creativity. 2nd single is the lush, late-night vibes of “Milan Nights” out December 13th. Perfect for cozy evenings around the fire and slow dances with that special someone, the tracks harp, guitar, saxophone and slow, yet light and driving drums are a perfect groove to fall into the holiday vibe with. All you need is snow. Focus track is the effortlessly smooth, soulful jazz-funk piece, “Dreams of Sudden Clarity.” Certified 100% fresh, it’s a perfect way to kick off the year. The progression gives you a euphoric, elated feeling, like you’re finally arrived at that special place you never knew existed, but were always meant to find. Promotion will be handled via the label and artist profiles, along with further promotion by external agencies within Italy where Gianni has upcoming live events.

2023 Reissue

Berlin based HipHop producer S. Fidelity presents his sophomore and full packaged concept album “Fidelity Radio Club” via Jakarta Records.

Four years after his Jakarta Records debut “A Safe Place to Be Naked” S. Fidelity has matured as a producer and as an artist: working and recording in London, Los Angeles, Paris and Johannesburg while building up his Manolo Purple Studios in Berlin with longtime collaborator, labelmate and soul brother Bluestaeb.

In 2021 S. Fidelity finally returns to the main program with his brand new solo album “Fidelity Radio Club” shaped in form of a genre crossing radio show exploring HipHop, R&B, Jazz, House and Funk in all their depths, creating the multi-layered album he always dreamt to do as he orchestrates a stoking line-up of equally talented friends and fellows like Bluestaeb, Melodiesinfonie, Suff Daddy, K, Le Maestro, Àbáse and many more while still delivering that very personal note every classic producer album needs and comes with. Or as the artist himself would put it: “17 different artists, producers and instrumentalists from all over the world helped me to bring this vision to life.”

According to that the albums 1st single features Singer NDO from Florida, giving life to the hard hitting R&B gem “Mixed Signals” where warm neo soul harmonies meet with classic R&B vibes of early 2000. The song made it to Spotify’s Butter Playlist right away and was picked for Deezer’s “Date Night” Playlist and Apple Music’s New Music Daily as well and received shout outs and further Playlist-placements by music blogs like Stereofox or MOW Mag.

The 2nd single comes as a double single featuring pianist, producer and main protagonist of Berlin’s prog-jazz scene Àbáse on “Me At The Zoo” (reminding its listeners of London’s new wave of jazz around Kamaal Williams or Yussef Dayes) on one side and the energetic, funk influenced disco tune “Something Good” on the other side.

The 3rd and final single “Love International Inc.” then comes with a bumpy up tempo drum beat, which develops into an energetic and jazzy lo-fi house/deep house loop, featuring none other than Zürich’s finest Melodiesinfonie as well as Paris-based Bluestaeb, marking this supergroup’s 2nd appearance and giving a glimpse of what’s yet to come.

Each of the album’s single cuts comes with a visual treatment by HipHop’s favorite photographer Robert Winter and his team (The Ottos), matching sound and artwork accordingly while the record’s amazing and unique artwork comes from the Swiss based creative studio HOMI. The record itself contains a sticker sheet with customized S. Fidelity and “Fidelity Radio Club” stickers as well.

The whole album campaign is further accompanied by the Fidelity Radio Show hosted by S. Fidelity himself, sitting down with his featured guests talking about the music they love and they draw inspiration from – broadcasted via S. Fidelity’s own youtube channel releasing its episodes in between the album’s single drops.

In 1972, a foursome of design students set out to make a record. This was, in many ways, a strictly creative endeavor. The quartet — composed of Dave Pescod, Alan Lewis, Phil Rawle, and Ted Rockley — were all trained, not as musicians, but as creatives. Art school heavyweights, the four were well-versed in the methodology of intentional experimentation, in the delicate balance of pushing the limits without completely unmooring oneself from a guiding creative intention. Emboldened by a high-brow familiarity with thoughtful experimentation and all the non-conviction of non-musicians, Bowes Road Band’s stint in the world of popular music yielded a record that is as much mind-melting as it is a direct product of its time. Their sprawling LP “Back in the HCA” embodies the exigence “art for art’s sake,” but it is for art’s sake that this record, however off the deep end it seems to travel (hear: “Doctor, Doctor”), remains a unified, and stunning, body of work. The LP’s do-ityourself garage rock noisemaking meets highfalutin creative processes. “Back in the HCA” is warbling psychedelic freakout (“Two Fingers,” “Doctor, Doctor”), Donovan-esque English countryside folk stylings (“Inside My Head,” “Goodbye to Rosie”), and avant-garde jazz improvisions (“Grass is Grass,” “Tomorrow’s Truth”) in one luminous release.

Originally an 9-track LP, Jakarta, Uno Loop, and Bowes Road Band decided to mine the six most cohesive tracks for the reissue, though the extras may be released somewhere down the line. Cohesion efforts aside, “Back in the HCA” stands alone in its singular conception of a genre-bending continuum — it evades definition. That said, the LP can easily be situated in the sonic environment in which it was conceived. By the end of the 60s, England was crawling with blues-based rock outfits that were starting to venture into prog rock territory. You can hear this popular dint cast over the folkier side of the LP. But Bowes Road Band was armed with their non-musicianship: they existed completely liberated from the motivating yet ultimately paralyzing lust for stardom. Enjoying this liberation, Bowes Road Band was utterly free to make noise. This freedom meant drawn out sax interludes amidst sweetly folk stylings (“Grass is Grass”) and Shaggs-like fuzzed-out freakouts that spiral into a void (Doctor, Doctor). This freedom also meant straight-forward tuneful cuts like “Goodbye Rosie” that conspicuously introduce heavily distorted auto-organ accompaniment mid-track amidst poignant lyricism. Bowes Road Band crafts a unified sound and then cracks it open.

With a completely off-the-radar status, Bowes Road Band could only press 50 copies of the record — 10 for each of them and 10 for the school. The band’s lifespan was to end there, or so they thought. “Back in the HCA” was the accidental fruit of a Berlin flea market treasure hunt by Jannis Stürtz, DJ and co-founder of Habibi Funk and Jakarta Records. After finding and sharing the LP with a few colleagues, Stürtz managed to get in touch with the band, get ahold of the master tapes collecting dust in Ted Rockley’s attic, and start the reissuing process. The record is still adorned with its original cover art designed by Alan Pescod, both reminiscent of bygone school days and the Zoom calls of yesterday — in short, reunion. Its re-discovery was happenstance and ought to be listened to as such. That is, “Back in the HCA” was not made to be listened to on a broad scale, or, at least, was not made with this goal in mind; it is neither in its time nor of its time. Of course, the group explicitly cites the folk tunes of the English countryside, the distorted rock groups that reigned during the record’s conception, and the fringes of psychedelic music that only the uber-underground might recognize (e.g., “Dreaming of Alice”). Yet still with these obvious influences, “Back in the HCA” always existed beyond the domain of both traditional musicianship and conventional commodification. Bowes Road Band’s DIY musicality beams through in technicolor across “Back in the HCA.” The vinyl includes an 8-page booklet detailing the albums creation and interviews with the band.

Lead single “Grass is Grass,” out July 14 along with album pre-order, encapsulates the record’s range: the track unfurls into a sprawling sax-driven trip following a sundrenched, Donovan-esque intro w/ lyrics “naively about parks and gardens, not marijuana!” The keyed-down folk cut “Goodbye to Rosie” is single 2 and elevates stripped-down acoustics with golden tinges, out August 4th. Focus track “Tomorrow’s Truth” constructs the fuzzed-out underbelly of acid folk. Listen for echoes of late Beatles, Mark Fry, and Donovan (if they were armed by an unshakabele willful naiveté). Like Sgt. Pepper’s on a shoestring budget—take a trip to the underground with LP “Back in the HCA,” available everywhere physically and digitally on September 1st via Jakarta Records and Uno Loop.

Besides online promotion from label profiles, the album will be further promoted by external agencies within the UK and US.

Suff Daddy (578k monthly listeners on Spotify), is one of the legendary beatmakers who shaped a whole era of bedroom producers. His unique approach and musical understanding sets him apart from all the other fish in the pond. He has released countless genre-defining albums and EP’s over the past 15 years building a loyal fanbase. Suff Daddy's songs have previously been featured in many editorial playlists including Spotify's "Jazz Vibes" (2.1M Likes), "BUTTER" (770k Likes), "Sweet Soul Chillout" (1.2M Likes) and many more.

Introducing "Hair Of The Dog," Suff Daddys musical journey that blends instrumental hip-hop, electronic, and dance genres. This captivating album, produced with his own Suff Style invites listeners to unwind From start to finish. Once again a Suff Daddy album thrives on the pure brilliance of his on way to create music. The album's cover art, masterfully crafted by the renowned painter Mitch (@itsallinsideus, 165k Followers), adds an intriguing visual dimension to the experience. Both artists have known each other for a long time and are currently preparing their audiovisual release- event for August 18th in Berlin. Bringing their art together as a unique experience for their audience.

The phrase "Hair of the dog that bit you" commonly denotes consuming alcohol as a remedy for a hangover, aiming to alleviate its effects. Suff Daddy plans to introduce his own hangover solution, which will be plant-based and devoid of alcohol. Through all of his career he frequently played with alcohol references and now its the perfect timing to release his own hangover cure. Additionally, this endeavor will serve as a social media catalyst for the entire project.

Logistics makes his return with the EP being pressed onto beautiful 12" yellow transparent vinyl.

Das (kurze) Warten hat ein Ende. Nach nur etwas mehr als einem Jahr kehrt Umse mit einem neuen Release im Gepäck zurück. Am Ende muss eine Platte "bloß gut sein, keinen Schwanz hier interessiert konkret wie lange man an ihr saß, es zählt wie lange sie rotiert", äußert er sich dahingehend. Es ist das dritte Album auf seinem Label, Jakarta Records, "Hawaiianischer Schnee" heißt es. Geschrieben und konzeptioniert wurde die Platte in einem kleinen Landhaus in der niederländischen Provinz Gelderland. Für die gesamte Produktion zeichnet sich wie immer Deckah höchst selbst verantwortlich, der im RZwoDrehZwo Studio der Platte den letzten Schliff verlieh. Die Beiden sind "Chef in Sachen Sound, ein Traumduo, ein Ein-Raum-Studio, kein großes Equipment und das ist auch gut so". Seit 1997 ist Umse aka. Christoph Umbeck schon dabei und ist sich stets treu geblieben, ohne den bitteren Unterton, der viele MCs seiner Generation in 2015 auszeichnet. Nach wie vor "keine Zeit für vier Gänge, nur ne Bockwurst auf die Hand", nach wie vor dutzende Shows jedes Jahr zwischen Konstanz und Kiel, nach wie vor "Sternstunden zur Rush Hour". Anerkennung findet der Ratinger mittlerweile auch bei den Helden des Ruhrpott-Sounds - Aphroe (RAG) und Dike beehren ihn mit einem Feature auf "Hawaiianischer Schnee". Trotzdem ist das neue Album kein "hawaiianischer Schnee von gestern". Umse gelingt es wie auf seinen Vorgängeralben den schmalen Grad zwischen Trademarksound und ausprobieren zu meistern. Von vielschichtigen Betrachtungen über "Menschen", zu klassischen Rap-Tracks wie "Hawaiianischer Schnee" bis hin zu Sozialisationsbetrachtungen auf "Wer bist du". In den letzten Jahren findet sein Treiben nun vor immer größerem Publikum statt, harte Arbeit zahlt sich eben aus.

After releasing their debut project “Voyage” in 2022, Tapioca, the Brussels-Kigali-based, Brazil-inspired duo return with LP “Samba em Kigali.” Building on their sound and influence, “Samba em Kigali” is a definitive step up and clear sonic growth for the twosome, whose debut, RA wrote, is "if Anderson Paak. & Marco Valle made a Brazilian pop-funk record.” Arriving via Berlin’s Jakarta Records May 19th.

Tapioca (32k Monthly Listeners on Spotify), the Belgian duo made of rapper / lyricist Alessandro “Le Tagarel” Vlerick and producer & composer Simon “SiKa” Carlier, tapped into a unique and infectious groove with their debut LP “Voyage,” released in 2022 via Jakarta Records’ “Dubplates” series. Positive reviews came flooding in, including coverage from, among others, BBC Radio 6, KCRW, Resident Advisor, JAZZIZ as well as performances and features on Worldwide FM and Bandcamp Daily. Their debut also landed on global editorial playlists such as Spotify’s “Global Groove,” (600k) “Tulum Vibes” (110k) and Deezer’s “Chilling Pool” (31k). “Voyage,” as the name indicates, was an ode to freedom, escape and the discovery of alternative cultural horizons that brought together various spoken-word testimonies from Portuguese friends around the world. Tapioca’s upcoming LP, “Samba em Kigali,” picks up the thread where “Voyage” left off, acting as an ode to traveling and, more broadly, of the inherent beauty of the African continent. Le Tagarel has worked as a teacher in Kigali, Ruanda, for the past years and his time there is reflected in the album’s buttery lyricism, putting forth the proposition that Africa and Brazil are in fact not so far apart - Africa is, and will always be, present in Brazilian culture. Featuring the Dillaesque sound infused with inspiration from rap, jazz, MPB and funk of the 70/80’s to the stunningly fleshed out lyricism - the LP sways like a ship on the smoothest of seas, a pure ray of aural sunshine to welcome the warm weather. Artwork was stunningly put together by Simone Cihlar (Anderson Paak. Tom Misch, Ivan Ave) and visualizers done by the stalwart crew at Die Ottos (Flofilz, K Le Maestro, Suff Daddy, S.Fidelity, Gianni Brezzo). Jakarta is ecstatic to share such a high-water mark of an album, out everywhere physically / digitally May 19th.

Kicking off “Samba em Kigali” is the impeccably smooth 1st single, “Lagoas de Ruanda” out March 22nd along with LP pre-order announcement. Instantly catchy, the crisp guitar, funky bass and buoyant underlying percussion are the perfect vitamin of joy that gives rise to Le Tagarel’s vocals. The track is a perfect sonic voyage that encapsulates the continued growth of Tapioca’s sound and gives a sonic peek into the LP. Infectious and groovy, the song skirts a line along samba, R&B and jazz with an almost hip-hop bounce.

2nd single, “Sabor Swahili,” out April 12th, is a nostalgic groovy splash that melds soft keys, bass and a percussive edge that slides you into an aural pocket. The song moves in a joyous melancholy that is almost impossible to move to, the under-water synth stabs keep your shoulders loose while the rhythm keeps you bouncing along. Even if you don’t know Portuguese, you’ll be singing along by the tracks end. The joyous 3rd single “Terra Preta” is out April 26th and will lift you up high to keep you in a serene mood anytime, anywhere. Focus track is the headnodding grooves of “Cara de Arabe.” Building from “Voyage,” Tapioca provides a fresh, rare vibe, adding a slight dose of disco to the R&B-driven progressions. “Samba em Kigali” is a unique album that is soaked and marinated in a sonic and visual aesthetic that brings with it feelings of joy, movement, and a global home, and sonic moods ranging from Bruno Berle and Marcos Valle inspired arrangements to bouncing progressions with a swingin’ percussive edge. Besides online promotion from the label and artist profiles, the album will further be promoted by external agencies within the US and UK.

Oscillate / verb – to move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm. Alexander Flood has developed and refined a strong, progressive voice and style on his kit through his 17 years performing and studying. Previously graduating top of his year, he has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including Australia's Best Up-andComing Drummer in both 2012 and 2016, The John ‘Slick’ Osborne Scholarship in 2017 and the Helpmann Academy Jazz Award for Top Overall Graduate in 2018. In 2020 he signed with 6x Grammy nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah to release Alex’s debut LP “HEARTBEAT” and “The Space Between” in 2022. 2023 finds Alexander aligning w/ Berlin’s Jakarta Records to release LP “Oscillate” - a blistering, hard-hitting meld of infectious rhythms, pulsing keys, and a swingin’ groove that melds into a genre-defying conglomeration of creative compositions and collaboration. In mid 2022 Alex travelled from Australia to Berlin, where he assembled a dream team crew of creative innovators featuring Hungarian keyboard player Àbáse, Australian bass guru Horatio Luna, and Brazilian flautista Paulo Cedraz. Together the group cut six unique dance tracks at Berlin’s iconic Jazzanova Studios, engineered by Grammy nominated Axel Reinemer. From the shuffling broken beats and dancing flute melodies in title track “Oscillate” to the experimental uptempo “Deja Vu”, the momentum of the music ceases to stop. “U R THA 1” features a driving jungle sound of repitched drums, vocal chops and 808 bass, and “Berlin” captures a classic funky 90s house feel powered by 4-on-the-floor kick and melodic basslines from Horatio Luna. Paulo Cedraz shines on flute in the Caribbean influenced “Ginealach”, and the LP finishes with the head-bopping “Hüpf” giving the listener a taste of some down-tempo beat music atop a bed of Àbáse’s lush rhodes. From top to bottom, the unique voices and powerful musicianship of each band member is obvious. Australian influence is at the core of the sound not only through the bass and drum chair, but through the punchy characteristic mix by Melbourne’s Lewis Moody and master by Gareth Thomson. The final piece of the puzzle was bringing in Alex’s childhood drum and percussion teacher Joel Prime, where they overdubbed additional percussion parts together in London. Artwork was stunningly put together by Robert Winter (Suff Daddy, Bluestaeb, K, Le Maestro) with visualizers put together by the stalwart KARL-F. Jakarta is ecstatic to share such a high-water mark of an album, out everywhere physically / digitally May 12th. Check the accompanying Press Sheet for Campaign Schedule and more. Besides online promotion from the label and artist profiles, the album will further be promoted by external agencies within the US and UK.

Wiederveröffentlichung des 2018er Albums!

Umse ist ein Kind des Ruhrpotts – und ewig Reisender. Ein Malocher-MC mit langem Atem, der sich endlich auszahlt. Der Top-20-Künstler chartete mit seinen letzten beiden Alben „Kunst für sich“ (#36) und „Haiwanischer Schnee“ (#16), die über die Indie-Institution Jakarta Records erschienen. Für sein neues Album nahm er sich zwei Jahre Zeit, musste Tiefschläge überwinden, um „Durch die Wolkendecke“ gehen zu können. Heute präsentiert er mit „Bescheid“ das erste Video zu seinem neuen Album, das am 28. September erscheint.

In zwei Jahren hat sich einiges angestaut: an Texten und Erfahrungen. So veröffentlichte Umse erst im Mai die 6-Track starke „Flammenwerfer“-EP und nun bereits Ende September ein neues Album. Der Ruhrpott-Rapper, der in einer Tugend-Tradition mit den lokalen Legenden RAGund Too Strong steht und doch nach State of the Art klingt, tourte jahrelang durchs Land und erspielte sich von Konstanz bis Kiel einen exzellenten Ruf als Live-MC.

Über die Jahre hat sich Umse eine loyale Fanbase aufgebaut, die ihn für seine Bodenständigkeit schätzt. Er verkörpert die Werte der alten Schule, vereint Technik und Tiefgang und befriedet mit seinem Neo-Boombap-Entwurf die Rap-Generationen. „Durch Die Wolkendecke“ setzt diesen Weg konsequent fort und zeigt dabei neue Impulse und Perspektiven auf. Der Titel deutet bereits an, dass es düsterer und nachdenklicher zugeht; er steht aber auch sinnbildlich für: „Sky is the limit“.

Dieses Limit ist für den Grown-Man-Rapper noch lange nicht erreicht: Er ist weder hängengebliebener Oldschooler noch gesichtstätowierter Mumble-Rapper, und doch fruchtet sein Scheuklappen-freier, samplelastiger Trademark-Sound im Hier und Jetzt. Mal erinnern die Sing-Sang-Hooks an den frühen 50 Cent, mal an die Crowd-Control-Choruse der Dilated Peoples.

Das Regionale und das Reisen sind zwei Konstanten und Extreme, die sich durch die Karriere von Umse zu ziehen scheinen. Nachdem er sich mit Hofproduzent Deckah für die Produktion von „Hawaianischer Schnee“ in einem Landhaus in der niederländischen Provinz einmietete, flogen sie für „Durch Die Wolkendecke“ bis nach Colorado und Teneriffa. Der Track „Wenn Die Ferne Ruft“ thematisiert dieses Fernweh, das für Umbeck so inspirierend wirkt, mit markanten Lines: „Man tut es wieder, wenn man merkt, das Reisen Wunder bewirkt.“

Der Opener „Bescheid“ ist nur vordergründig ein Representer und offenbart bei genauerem Hinhören reife Reflexionen eines Mittdreißigers. Auf „Mach Das Kleine Groß“ zeigt Umse dialektisches Talent, schließt von dem Großen auf das Kleine, vom Lokalen aufs Globale, von sich als Individuum auf die Gesellschaft und Szene. Das rührende Outro „Jederzeit“ klingt wie eine Art Testament, mit der sich Umse endgültig in den Real-Rap-Analen als eine der wichtigsten Stimmen seiner Generation verewigt.

Umse sagte einmal sinngemäß über die Langlebigkeit von Alben: „Es interessiert keine Sau, wie lange du daran gearbeitet hast, es zählt, wie lange sie rotiert.“ Und eine lange Haltwertszeit hat dieses zeitlose, detailverliebte Werk ganz sicherlich.

Wiederveröffentlichung des Umse Albums aus dem Jahr 2014 als Vinyl! Umse ist nicht gegen Hipster, nicht Antistrassenrap, Umse macht Musik für dich, mich und deine Freunde da draußen, für gute Tage, für schlechte Tage und alle dazwischen. Entgegen Rap Klischees nicht gegen Menschen sondern für die Leute, "warum nicht statt immer aggro einfach freundlich sein". Immernoch Musik der Musik halber und trotzdem davon Leben. Man hat halt "keinen Bock schlechter abzuschneiden als der blindeste Frisör". Mit dabei sind Megaloh, Pimf, Abroo und Flo Mega. Homiecollabs, kein "16Bars für Euros" Business. Komplett produziert wurde das Album von Umses Stammproduzenten Deckah.