Hello friends,

It’s almost knitwear season in the UK. Let’s look to the positives, eh.

Can I play you some music?

This was partly recorded live in the SE London studios of Sister Midnight FM, before my pup cut the broadcast. Naughty boy.

But ‘mixtape’ is part of the ML concept, so we pivoted in the aftermath.

Please let me know what you’re into!

✌🏾

MAL WALDRON – Candy Girl [Strut]

Those familiar with the Mal Waldron of late 50’s hard bop or the modal compositions recorded later in Japan might be taken aback by the volatility of this curio, recorded during his self-imposed exile in Paris after a debilitating breakdown. I read it was so bad that he had to teach himself how to play piano again.

Originally a super-limited release on the Calumet label, Candy Girl was recorded spontaneously in the studio of French producer Pierre Jaubert with members of the Lafayette Afro Rock band. Bassist Lafayette Hudson, drummer Donny Donable, and keyboardist Frank Abel on clavinet, Moog and more.

In a spritely set, it’s the title track that has stayed with me. A minor key wander by Waldron on electric piano. Look out for the vinyl dropping this week on Strut Records. For more electric Mal, try The Call.

DANIEL ODUNTAN – Kilohertz – Variations on a Constant Madness [06m 25s]

Over the past decade and more, Daniel has been incubating his idea to depict the changing face of Southwark in SE London through audio and visuals. Encountering lots of speed bumps and roadblocks along the way. What started as a photographic study has expanded into an ensemble.

The project is called Soul Complex Unfinished and I think this recording was from the session I attended in Peckham a while back. We had studio don Sean Montgomery Dietz on bass, Deronne White on Flute, man like Ashley Henry on them keys and Daniel on modular synthesiser, drums and bass. Phew.

And the process continues to unfold. Daniel will be having an open rehearsal on Friday 12 September from 7pm at Reference Point off The Strand. Joining him will be frequent collaborator Roxanne Tataei and Jerald Coop Cooper of Hood Century. A space to think aloud, explore the black mundane and respond to the moment. Come be part of a living archive.

PINO PALLADINO & BLAKE MILLS – Heat Sink [Impulse!] [14m 40s]

Bass daddy Pino Palladino and California guitarist-engineer Blake Mills follow up 2021’s Notes With Attachments with That Wasn't A Dream. Their goal on this one was to develop sparser arrangements, punctuated by Mills' prototype fretless baritone sustainer guitar. Time just comes and goes during this track. One to meditate on.

SARATHY KORWAR – We Take Things For Granted [Otherland] [23m 50s]

From There is Beauty, There Already, which drops on 7/11 on his own new imprint Otherland, this is Sarathy Korwar in reset mode. After four far-reaching albums, he’s attempting to find his voice again as a composer through live drums and percussion. Tabla, South Indian clay pot ghatam…

With only a smattering of human voices and electronics through the 70’s Buchla Easel. It’s got me thinking of unique records such as the Don Cherry and Latif Khan collaboration Music / Sangam.

An album for deep listening as Pauline Oliveros implored us to do. One to inhabit from beginning to end for sure, no skips, noticing different variations each time.

Catch him during the London Jazz Festival on 15 November at the ICA.

THEON CROSS – Wings (live at Blue Note New York) [New Soil][27m 15s]

I had a very wholesome evening in one of my local places of worship, St Lawrence Church, Catford, watching tuba player and composer Theon Cross and Rosie Turton playing at the Jazz Hang alongside prodigious members of Lewisham Music Jazz Band, Pulse of the Planet (Prendergast Ladywell School) and Trinity Laban Jazz Ensemble.

Proof, if any were needed, why it’s so important to support schemes like this to get instruments in the hands of the youth and collaborating with one another as well as graduates like Theon. Respect to Tomorrows Warriors as well for the mentorship they offer. Each one teach one.

This is Theon and band letting fly on his debut at Blue Note in NYC. A heavyweight rib tickler.

VENNA – Prophet [Cashmere Thoughts][34m 25s]

Debut album from composer, saxophonist, vocalist Venna. I love how he’s patiently been honing his craft, drip-feeding us with transcendent releases like ‘Prophet’.

Being very clear about what he wants to say and how he wants to present his art, from his choice of collaborators (rhythm section Yussef Dayes and Rocco Palladino) to the travelogue videos that are like lo-fi odysseys. There’s romance to his sound – not the meet-cute kind, more in the sense of a divine connection to place and time.

“Every experience, every memory, every conversation, anything new, any encounter has influenced how this album sounds,” Venna says.

Debut album coming on 5 September.

TRES LECHES – Telescope [Brainfeeder][39m 10s]

On first listen, this album of smooth Haitus Kaiyote covers may veer dangerously close to easy listening elevator music but there’s something about its utilitarian origins and off-the-cuff aesthetic that charms me.

Recorded in hotel and green rooms on tour by HK members Paul Bender and Simon Mavin together with ComputerJay, it was envisioned as a soundtrack to an imaginary supermarket for the band’s Love Heart Cheat Code. This is my pick. Breezy.

OFFICER JOHN – Stay [Wah Wah Wino][42m 30s]

Love and respect to Do You’s Charlie Bones for introducing Officer John to me. They did a lovely live session in his Hackney HQ, which you should listen back to. CB always manages to create a communal experience across the internet.

This is called ‘Stay’, taken from a five-track 12”, which includes a remix from Morgan Buckley. Coming in Autumn ’25. ‘Handle’ has also been on loop. One for all you daydream believers.

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