Jazz /
Zodiac (LP)
Excellent and diverse album on Supraphon from 1978, a wild hybrid of modal and postbop arrangements populated with Penderecki and Ligeti-like choral writing in a dizzying array of styles.
The Suite Unraveling
2014 release ** "Brooklyn based Lily Maase is a guitarist and composer of powerful originality. Influenced equally by Ornette Coleman, Morbid Angel and electronic music, she has created a modern jazz-rock fusion that captures the funky edge of Blood Ulmer with minimalism, indie rock and a touch of psychedelics. Powerful riffs, spontaneous conducting techniques, searing solos and a unique lyricism from this exciting New York based trio!"
Ich Will Die Zeit Nicht Bereuen / Sonderbar
Sound Essence is more than proud to presents a very special production from East Germany of the early 70s! One of the TOP Soul-Jazz & Beat combos in the country led by bassist and singer Horst Kruger, recorded two previously unreleased, outrageously good titles here in the newly formed septet format. "Ich will die Zeit nicht bereuen" ("I don't want to regret the time") is probably by far one of the most crispy produced German-language soul beats numbers that existed in the GDR at that time! From…
Dedos
Here comes a true South American Latin JazzFunk treasure from Argentina!!! Sound Essence is more than proud to present these lost recordings from 1974 to music lovers again in all their glory. Carlos Franzetti, who has once again been in the spotlight in recent years thanks to the re-release of his strong late 70s JazzFusion record "Graffiti", was also in charge of this record called Dedos. The story behind: In 1974, after Carlos Franzetti was living in Mexico and worked as the musical director…
That Look Of You / The New York Business
Here comes one of the most exclusive and sought-after recordings of a hotel band from the Caribbean Antilles. The resident and highly talented soul singer Lloyd Baptiste played there during the 70s with his group "The Joys" in the popular hotel called Divi Divi on the then Dutch island of Aruba.
The finest soul, funk and disco filled the repertoire of this outstanding formation. This led to the hotel management sending them to the Pyramid Sound Studio, New York in 1976 for advertising purposes a…
Gruppo AdRa
This recording is an experiment in composing from percussion first. To feel movement in harmony and arrangement through the improvising senses of a percussionist. The melodic and harmonic elements appeared instantly after recording the percussion with Rama Parwata. The additional Tenor Saxophone of Cheryl Durongpisitkul (Sola) and Bass Clarinet of Flora Carbo (Sfondo and Mondo) were the final touches to bring life into the music. The result is a through-composed work, a narrative starting inside…
The Celestial Squid
2015 release ** "...The Celestial Squid is so special... Here are two of the greats....no, the greatest." – Jim O'Rourke. "The Celestial Squid pairs guitarist/improviser Henry Kaiser with one of his earliest idols, British guitarist, producer, arranger, and composer Ray Russell. Kaiser has a long history of recording with players he admires and has been influenced by, including John Abercrombie, Derek Bailey, David Lindley, and Fred Frith. Russell may be somewhat of a cipher to non-guitar heads.…
I/O
Akio Niitsu's first album, "I/O(i･o)" released in 1978, was produced in a homemade studio that had been converted from a storeroom in his home, and he spent three years doing everything from composition to engineering by himself, using overdubbed guitar recordings. Akio Niitsu's first analog re-release has been decided.
As a guitar multi-recording album, the idea was realized six years earlier than the album "E2-E4" released in 1984 by Manuel Göttsching, the central figure of "Ash La Tempel", bu…
Spiritual Sound (Mizik Filamonik)
Telluric, intense, terribly alive, the gwoka drums of Guadeloupe carry the identity of a painful and fervent island. Marked forever by the crime of slavery, Guadeloupe's créolité cherishes the ka drums and their natural environment: the low-pitched boula drum with male goatskin, the high-pitched soloist makè drum with female goatskin, the chacha, ti bwa, triangle, calabash and other percussion instruments that surround them, and the voices - the fiery, proud, timbred, urgent voices of the gwoka.…
Reflections Of A Golden Dream
Lonnie Liston Smith was one of the most important musicians to emerge in jazz in the 1970s. His 1975 album ‘Expansions’ is one of the foundation stones of modern dance music and his recordings have been sampled by many of the biggest artists in the world. His music was a cosmically inspired spiritual interpretation of the music he had been making during his time with Pharoah Sanders, Gato Barbieri and Miles Davis.
Released in 1976,“Reflections On A Golden Dream”, the follow-up to “Expansions”, w…
Alchymia Musicæ
1995 release ** "Prague saxophonist and composer Jirí Stivín had a grand vision working when he assembled the elements for this recording. His intention was to take the great madrigals and villanelles from the 16th century in his own culture, and add a string quartet and a choir to his own jazz trio and try to bridge the span of centuries. Not only this, of course, but to do so with the mischievous grin of the '60s free jazz continuum that preferred improvisation to taking a shower most of the t…
Women
Symbole is very proud introducing “Women” by Kat-Tet, a unique musical gem straight from Guadeloupe, 1985. This rare album indeed re-issued is a masterpiece made by the brilliant pianist Patrick Jean-Marie where every note is an epic journey through his genius way of composing and playing. It was a true opportunity for Patrick Jean-Marie and his band to showcase their talents, recorded under professional conditions, resulting in a sound of exceptional quality. The meticulous attention to orchest…
Arruda, Alfazema E Guiné
Immersed in the encounters of Afro-Brazilian cultures and in the influences of yoga philosophy, Brazilian singer-songwriter Alvaro Lancellotti drew inspiration to create his new album: “Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné”. The songs merge the spiritual and musical realms as fundamental elements of its conception, yet remaining free from any fixed aesthetic.
With a percussive strength connected to its sound, “Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné” was released by the American label Amor in Sound, led by Mario Caldato…
A Tribute To Jack Johnson
A Tribute to Jack Johnson was originally conceived as the soundtrack for a documentary on the life of the first african american heavyweight boxing champion, but the album stands on its own as one of the most brilliant, compelling fusion recordings ever made. This is due in large part to the increasing influence of rock and funk on miles's aesthetic, to the superb musicians (including Davis himself - who turns in some stunningly vigorous solos), and in part to the production skills of Teo Macero…
Spectrum
2025 stock Cobham's debut record after making a name for himself collaborating with Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra remains a remarkable moment in progressive jazz. "Stratus" would later be sampled on Massive Attack's "Safe From Harm" and featured in Grand Theft Auto IV radio.
The Eternal Now Is The Heart Of A New Tomorrow
Memphibians Rising from the Mud, Making Musical Moods Deepstaria Enigmatica is a quintet of improvisers from Memphis, Tennessee dedicated to creating otherworldly soundscapes. Named for a rarely seen, bell-shaped jellyfish discovered by Jacques Cousteau, the group's every note is inspired by that famous ocean explorer's sense of discovery. But don't assume the five veteran musicians create only chaos: they are as attuned to melodies and harmonies as they are to fine gradations of noise. What eme…
Joy & Breath Of Eternity
2025 stock In 1976, Alf Emil Eik embarked on an extraordinary journey in a studio in Oslo. Armed with a 16-track MCI recorder and a vast array of instruments, including a couple of his precious bass guitars, he set out to create his musical masterpiece. Eik, a composer, musician, technician, and producer all in one, used the studio as his compositional playground and experimented with percussion, synthesizers, bass riffs, and tape phasing effects, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at t…
Colorblind
Colorblind…having a decreased ability to see color or differences in color. But…what if colorblind-ness becomes an intention? A conscious choice to not pin a colored distinction on ideas, people, music or life-philosophies? A clean palette of initial curiosity and acceptance, rather than a rigidity of prejudging (prejudice) and labeling. Why pretend to know before witnessing, before engaging, before allowing perception to focus?Doesn’t life ask us to enter, without tinting the supreme arts of kn…
Looking Back
The album features a collection of jazz compositions that blend traditional Greek musical elements with contemporary jazz influences, reflecting Trantalidis's rich musical heritage and innovative approach. "Looking Back" marks Trantalidis's return to discography after a 20-year hiatus since his previous album "am:pm," showcasing his enduring influence on the Greek jazz scene. George Trantalidis is a prominent figure in Greek jazz, known for his work with the band Sphinx and his contributions to …
Conversation Helps
The concept for this album was born during a rehearsal with my friends and musical partners, Alex and Kimon, as we explored the themes of composition, performance, and creativity in Greece. Through our discussions, I realized that “Conversation Helps.” Thank you both for your incredible musicianship, interaction, and support. This album wouldn’t have been possible without you. A special thank you to Theodore Bafaloukas and Dimitris Fytas for helping me bring this album to life. Special thanks to…