New Soil Vinyl & CDs

Review: Building on the success of his previous two full-lengths, Oscar Jerome's third solo album suggests he has not yet stopped growing as a songwriter, guitarist and producer. Following his time with Kokoroko and his acclaimed 2022 album The Spoon, this latest work delves into personal, reflective themes and was produced entirely by the man himself. It takes in folk influences from John Martyn and Joni Mitchell with the funk of Prince and early Carlos Santana as well as contemporary broken beat and jazz flair. The Fork explores self-reckoning through intimate narratives with each track offering emotionally rich storytelling and nuanced guitar work all making this his most personal and ambitious album yet.

Review: Jake Long's debut under his own name, City Swamp, is a long-awaited arrival, especially for those familiar with his work leading Maisha. As the drummer and composer for Maisha, Long was instrumental in creating some of the finest UK jazz releases, including There is a Place, which featured luminaries like Nubya Garcia and Amane Suganami. City Swamp not only showcases Long's talent but also serves as a continuation and expansion of the ideas explored in There is a Place. While Maisha's sound was celebratory, City Swamp delves into more dissonant themes with a psychedelic twist, particularly evident in the epic track 'Ideological Rubble.' Despite being a solo project, City Swamp still features many Maisha members, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines Long's work. With this album, Long firmly establishes himself as a phenomenally talented artist with a unique musical vision, making City Swamp an exceptional debut.