TAYLOR McFERRIN | YAZZ AHMED | LUCINDA CHUA | NICK WALTERS & PARADOX ENSEMBLE | ELIANE ELIAS

Hello again friends, freaks and fans of future jazz music of the kind that would struggle to justify a Disney remake.

Have I got some bangers for you this week!

Leading the way – and like the prodigal son, Simba, returning home – is Taylor McFerrin. 2015’s bright young electronic/soul hope releases his first new solo music in four years and Now That You Need Me is a laid-back jam that’s been well worth the wait. It’s also our Charm Offensive choice.

The Rafiki of our collective comes in the form of our own ‘high priestess’ Yazz Ahmed. Her Arabic-infused jazz on Shoal of Souls betrays a wisdom way beyond her years and also comes with a blunt and powerful message. It’s our Military Coup.

Showing her Scars in our Peaceful Protest selection is cellist and vocalist Lucinda Chua. Her track, Feel Something is the cold heart of our collection this week.

By contrast, throwing out Hakuna Matata vibes like the Timon and Pumbaa of the jazz world, Nick Walters and Tenderlonious (along with their Paradox Ensemble) contribute our Guerrilla Warfare selection this week. 34268 is as playful and perplexing as the name suggests.

And finally, our Brazilian Queen Bey, Eliane Elias brings out the showstopper at the end. Her new single, Baby, Come to Me brings Latin energy with ladylike elegance to close out proceedings with a Quiet Riot.

So, if you’re able to see the stars shining through all my gassing above and one of those tracks takes your fancy, please do read on…

TAYLOR McFERRIN: NOW THAT YOU NEED ME
YAZZ AHMED: SHOAL OF SOULS
LUCINDA CHUA: FEEL SOMETHING
NICK WALTERS & PARADOX ENSEMBLE: 34268
ELIANE ELIAS: BABY COME TO ME

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –