LEITER Vinyl & CDs

Review: A decade on from its original release, this compilation remains a spellbinding window into the musical mind of one of modern music's most innovative figures. As comfortable behind a grand piano as a homemade synth, Frahm brings his taste for boundary-blurring to this curated journey. Consider this a love letter to his inspirations and a reflection of his multifaceted artistry. The compilation weaves classical greats, jazz legends, ambient pioneers and experimental mavericks into a singular, late-night odyssey. Vladimir Horowitz's crackling rendition of 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' connects Frahm's own virtuosic piano play to the classical canon, while Miles Davis' smoky 'Generique' and 'Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)' speak to the atmospheric jazz undercurrents that color much of his work. Nina Simone's aching rendition of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' carries the same stripped emotional core that Frahm achieves in his more minimalist moments. Elsewhere, the warmth of Dub Tractor's 'Cirkel' and the ghostly dub of Rhythm & Sound's 'Mango Drive' nod to his love of minimalism beyond genre. Boards of Canada's slow-burning 'In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country' is also featured, showing the esteem Frahm holds these newer tracks in, nestling among legendary musical acts of the past. From Colin Stetson's avant-garde saxophone to Bibio's lush textures, the compilation spans eras and aesthetics with cohesion and care. It's not just a mixtape - it's a tribute, a seriously rich tapestry of influences that shaped a singular voice.

Review: In recent years, traditional instrumentalists have gained many more new fans then in years past. Why music scholars can debate why, we just think it's because of the great composers like Germany's Nils Frahm being found. His latest titled Day, presents six pieces that stride between poignant and melancholy. The placement of microphones to record lend itself to the depth of each piece. Picking up room sounds and even a dog barking in the background, help add to the depth and mood of each program. Nils is effortless on the piano as he gently paints with his fingertips. The beauty in these mostly piano compositions like 'Butter Notes', 'Changes' and 'Hands On' are breathtakingly peaceful, stark and ultimately, very moving. Memory provoking music. When you get a Nils Frahm album, you aren't just buying an album. You are buying peace on earth in the form of music.
.

Review: GANAVYA's upcoming album Daughter of a Temple promises an extraordinary fusion of spiritual jazz and South Asian devotional music, featuring a rich tapestry of collaborative tracks. The lead single, 'draw something beautiful,' released in July, sets the tone with its ethereal blend of vocal intensity and intricate arrangements. Expect contributions from esperanza spalding and Vijay Iyer, whose signature styles weave into GANAVYA's soulful soundscapes. Shabaka Hutchings adds a vibrant spiritual jazz energy, while Immanuel Wilkins brings a hauntingly melodic saxophone presence. Each track unfolds as a layered ritual, capturing the album's theme of collective artistic and spiritual exploration.

Review: Recorded in collaboration with Nils Frahm at Berlin's Leiter Studio, Ganavya's fourth album is destined to carve its own path to recognition due to its unique quality. A follow-up to last year's acclaimed Daughter of a Temple, which drew praise from many music outlets, Nilam - probably best known her for her appearance alongside Sault at their recent live show - continues her journey into music as devotion, meditation and memory. Born in New York and raised in Tamil Nadu, she moves fluidly between traditions, channeling pilgrimage trails, harikatha storytelling and jazz improvisation into something uniquely her own. Her voice is unhurried, intimate and full of clarity, conjuring stillness even in motion. It's a sound that invites stillness but never feels static, where every breath carries the weight of generations and each silence says as much as her lyrics. The songs on Nilam feel distilled from years of lived experience, shaped by years of live performance as tracks like 'Sees Fire' blend Eastern tonalities with meditative jazz, fusing introspection with emotional firepower. The album traces the patterns of gratitude, loss and rootedness meanwhile anchoring the listener in a place beyond the physical. Rather than chase genre, ganavya reaches toward essence. Nilam isn't just an album, it's a moment held in reverence. A sonic altar where memory, spirit and sound meet. In her hands, song becomes a ritual of listening.

Review: Berlin's Moses Yoofee Trio return with their first new material since 2023's Ocean. Recorded over ten days at Glaswald Studios in April 2024, with two additional tracks finished at Leiter's Funkhaus studio in Berlin, the album is available on vinyl. Produced with long-time collaborator oh.no.ty, the standout track 'WHIP.wav' showcases their sophisticated jazz, driven by Moses' fluid piano lines, Noah Furbringer's deft drumming, and Roman Klobe-Baranga's understated bass. The trio's minimalist approach distills their sound to its essence, letting their prodigious talents shine, focusing on "emotions, moments, and bangers."

Review: In a limited edition closing statement, sitarist and musician Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi Shankar) marks the culmination of an ambitious trilogy of mini-albums. This final chapter follows Chapter I: Forever, For Now (2023) and the Grammy-nominated Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn (2024). While the previous installments drew inspiration from Berlin and California, respectively, Chapter III is deeply influenced by Shankar's Indian heritage, reflecting a return to her roots; it hears collaborations with London multi-instrumentalist Sarathy Korwar as well as San Francisco-based sarod player Alam Khan, blending traditional Indian sounds with contemporary sound design and productive elements. Star cuts such as 'Hiraeth' intertwine the soulful resonances of sitar and sarod with dynamic percussion, titularly borrowing from the Welsh language term for a deep longing or homesickness. The record coincides with a global tour set afoot by the musician in March 2025, starting in North America and concluding in India later in the year.

Review: Anoushka Shankar, the renowned British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, and composer, shares her first live album since 2001's Live At Carnegie Hall. Between Us... marks her debut with the German label Leiter, featuring material from four solo albums and one previously unreleased track. This album has Shankar's collaborative spirit in full glory, beginning from her early performances alongside her father, Ravi Shankar. Between Us... features Shankar's regular collaborator, Manu Delago, a master of the Hang (hand pan), and Holland's Metropole Orkest, directed by the esteemed conductor and arranger Jules Buckley. Recorded in 2018 during a short series of shows in the Netherlands, the album captures the vibrant energy and synergy of these performances. Shankar fondly recalls the concerts, highlighting the unique experience of performing with an orchestra where the audience's energy was palpable. This dynamic interaction brought a fresh and fun element to the orchestral setting. The album offers listeners a glimpse into a harmonious and exhilarating musical world.