Champaign
Modern Heart

New album from KNOWSUM after his acclaimed album at Melting Pot. Between hip hop and experimental music, one approaches the sound identity of Koushik, LIKE... Between relaxation and an unprecedented talent for song writing KNOWSUM surprises again. This new album is released on the Berlin label MONEY SEX, the collaboration between Max Graef, Glenn Astro and Delfonic.

Composer and keyboardist John Carroll Kirby presents Septet. Septet was recorded live in studio with John on keys, Tracy Wannomae and Logan Hone – woodwinds, Nick Mancini – vibraphone, John Paul Maramba – bass, David Leach – percussion, Deantoni Parks – drums. For the “Rainmaker”video, we take it back to circa 1981 …John: “The video is a dramatization of studio characters I’ve encountered over the years. The egomaniacal producer, the eager engineer, the snobby record exec, the random guy in the corner, the musicians feeling themselves. Visually I wanted to play with the chaos of jazz fashion in the 70’s/80’s: bands like Weather Report, and Miles Davis’ constantly rotating cast. Musicians dressed themselves with a strong sense of individuality while still achieving a cohesive look, a theme I also look to achieve musically on the album Septet.”Video by Kalliope Pictures, directed by Michael Hili. The video stars John Carroll Kirby with a fictional cast of characters: Mac DeMarco as Studio Engineer; Kerwin Frost as Record Producer; Cola Boyy as Label Executive; Eddie Chacon as Body Guard; Victoria Mordoch on Percussion; Logan Hone on Flute; Leland Naylor on Soprano Saxophone; John Paul Maramba on Bass; Lemar Carter on Drums.The actual band on “Rainmaker” is comprised of John Carroll Kirby – keys, Tracy Wannomae and Logan Hone – woodwinds, Nick Mancini – vibraphone, John Paul Maramba – bass, David Leach – percussion, Deantoni Parks – drums.

Alternative R&B chanteuse, Ari Lennox, has released her long-awaited album, Shea Butter Baby. The bulk of Shea Butter Baby features the vintage production stylings of Elite ("Shea Butter Baby," "Whipped Cream," "Static," "Speak to Me"), Christo ("Broke" feat JID), Jaylen Rojas ("Pop") and multi-instrumentalist, Masego, who produced the new single "Up Late," which Lennox aptly describes as a "a neo-soul, sexy, sweet, midnight delight.