SDBAN ULTRA - Forced Exposure

$30.50 PREORDER RELEASE DATE: 7/15/2022

Double LP version. Gatefold sleeve. The groove-obsessed Sdban Ultra present an outstanding new collection of musical gems from Belgium's thriving jazz scene, compiled by Belgian DJ and eclectic connoisseur, Lefto. Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Volume 2 features a balance of known and obscure artists. From the thrilling frenetic grooves and innovative soundscapes of Bandler Ching and the electronic influenced Stellar Legions (Andrew Claes from STUFF.), to the jazz fusion collective LũpḁGangGang and weaving musical odyssey that is M.CHUZI, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Volume 2 is a melting pot of the best musical talent coming out one of the smallest countries in Europe. In addition, there's the beautiful unease of One Frame Movement, the laidback "acoustic electronica" of Boombox Experiments, the classic funky jazz stylings of Cargo Mas and the cinematic The Brums. "By collecting all the music for Jazz Cats Volume 2, I come to the conclusion that we are living in an era of very talented individuals and collectives. Even more so than four years ago. I have the impression that the Belgian jazz sound is more diverse, with more influences and more creativity. There was a time that jazz would be the starting sample to create a beat for rappers, today it is electronica, rap, or Afrobeat that influences our youth to create a sound or style that suits their vision of what jazz sounds like in 2022..." 2018's Lefto Presents Jazz Cats (SDBANU 006CD/LP) was given the accolade of "Album of the Week" on Worldwide FM. Also features Stevie Qngo, ECHT!, Mike "Maz" Mahez, KAU trio., schroothoop, Dishwasher_, TUKAN, and Shungu & Mejiwahn.

Tastemaker, selector, curator, DJ, and producer Lefto is one of the most important and respected tastemakers around the world with a record collection of over 15,000 records. Cutting his teeth on jazz and new beat, a genre that molded the shape of electronic music in 80s Belgium, Lefto formed his early tastemaker know-how via his dad's record collection. Creating his fine ear for music and the cutting edge at Belgium's legendary Music Mania record store in his hometown Brussels, he has been a resident on Belgium's leading radio station Studio Brussel and currently hosts a show on Kiosk Radio (BE) and The Lot Radio (US). He also curates his own stage at the Dour Festival and hosts his own nights in Gent.

$14.50 PREORDER RELEASE DATE: 7/15/2022

The groove-obsessed Sdban Ultra present an outstanding new collection of musical gems from Belgium's thriving jazz scene, compiled by Belgian DJ and eclectic connoisseur, Lefto. Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Volume 2 features a balance of known and obscure artists. From the thrilling frenetic grooves and innovative soundscapes of Bandler Ching and the electronic influenced Stellar Legions (Andrew Claes from STUFF.), to the jazz fusion collective LũpḁGangGang and weaving musical odyssey that is M.CHUZI, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Volume 2 is a melting pot of the best musical talent coming out one of the smallest countries in Europe. In addition, there's the beautiful unease of One Frame Movement, the laidback "acoustic electronica" of Boombox Experiments, the classic funky jazz stylings of Cargo Mas and the cinematic The Brums. "By collecting all the music for Jazz Cats Volume 2, I come to the conclusion that we are living in an era of very talented individuals and collectives. Even more so than four years ago. I have the impression that the Belgian jazz sound is more diverse, with more influences and more creativity. There was a time that jazz would be the starting sample to create a beat for rappers, today it is electronica, rap, or Afrobeat that influences our youth to create a sound or style that suits their vision of what jazz sounds like in 2022..." 2018's Lefto Presents Jazz Cats (SDBANU 006CD/LP) was given the accolade of "Album of the Week" on Worldwide FM. Also features Stevie Qngo, ECHT!, Mike "Maz" Mahez, KAU trio., schroothoop, Dishwasher_, TUKAN, and Shungu & Mejiwahn.

Tastemaker, selector, curator, DJ, and producer Lefto is one of the most important and respected tastemakers around the world with a record collection of over 15,000 records. Cutting his teeth on jazz and new beat, a genre that molded the shape of electronic music in 80s Belgium, Lefto formed his early tastemaker know-how via his dad's record collection. Creating his fine ear for music and the cutting edge at Belgium's legendary Music Mania record store in his hometown Brussels, he has been a resident on Belgium's leading radio station Studio Brussel and currently hosts a show on Kiosk Radio (BE) and The Lot Radio (US). He also curates his own stage at the Dour Festival and hosts his own nights in Gent.

$15.50 IN STOCK

Belgian instrumentalists Glass Museum have found the perfect balance between piano and drums, where jazz and electronics collide, uniting the surgical precision of the best contemporary jazz, à la Gogo Penguin and Badbadnotgood, with the electronic influences of Jon Hopkins or Floating Points. In motion since 2016, the duo consisting of keyboardist Antoine Flipo and drummer Martin Grégoire, have a rich history written around a powerful connection to duality. From the initial impact of the Deux EP in 2018, to the synthetic and organic textures of the critically acclaimed 2020 album Reykjavik, Glass Museum has found its balance in symmetry. Released via the groove-obsessed Sdban Ultra label, Reflet was born out of a desire for freedom, a wish to innovate and travel differently. This new piece stands out as an artistic climax crafted at the crossroads of time and genres, an electronic proposition wrought by two brave hearts, tempered by the organic reflections delivered through computer free melodies. An album which places the human at the core of its compositions and in order to return to a more instinctive and instantaneous means of creation, the duo retreated to a secret location in one of the most remote parts of the Ardennes. It's there, in the shade of spruces, that the album was first born. Extremely cinematographic, Reflet delivers a panoramic view point: jazz, breakbeat, minimal techno, and deep house, collide on neo classical grounds. From the dynamic instrumentation of album opener "Caillebotis" to the absorbing oscillations of "Shiitake" and grand gestures of the album title track, Reflet is an odyssey running through troubled times, an ode to night time, to life, dreams and to all rhythms that convey emotions beyond words. Like its immersive creative process, the album offers a counterpoint and, above all, endless perspectives. Elsewhere, the pulsing, melodic "Auburn" and entrancing electronic textures of "Opal Sequences" continue the exploration before the strutting "Kendama" showcases the electronic sensibilities that are buried within their productions. Shining as a true instrumental tour de force, Reflet also takes inspiration from the progress of the Ohme Collective. At the crossroads of art disciplines, science, new technologies, and societal challenges, this creative community draws the future of visual arts and created the album artwork for this resolutely futuristic album.

$26.00 PREORDER RELEASE DATE: 4/29/2022

LP version. Belgian instrumentalists Glass Museum have found the perfect balance between piano and drums, where jazz and electronics collide, uniting the surgical precision of the best contemporary jazz, à la Gogo Penguin and Badbadnotgood, with the electronic influences of Jon Hopkins or Floating Points. In motion since 2016, the duo consisting of keyboardist Antoine Flipo and drummer Martin Grégoire, have a rich history written around a powerful connection to duality. From the initial impact of the Deux EP in 2018, to the synthetic and organic textures of the critically acclaimed 2020 album Reykjavik, Glass Museum has found its balance in symmetry. Released via the groove-obsessed Sdban Ultra label, Reflet was born out of a desire for freedom, a wish to innovate and travel differently. This new piece stands out as an artistic climax crafted at the crossroads of time and genres, an electronic proposition wrought by two brave hearts, tempered by the organic reflections delivered through computer free melodies. An album which places the human at the core of its compositions and in order to return to a more instinctive and instantaneous means of creation, the duo retreated to a secret location in one of the most remote parts of the Ardennes. It's there, in the shade of spruces, that the album was first born. Extremely cinematographic, Reflet delivers a panoramic view point: jazz, breakbeat, minimal techno, and deep house, collide on neo classical grounds. From the dynamic instrumentation of album opener "Caillebotis" to the absorbing oscillations of "Shiitake" and grand gestures of the album title track, Reflet is an odyssey running through troubled times, an ode to night time, to life, dreams and to all rhythms that convey emotions beyond words. Like its immersive creative process, the album offers a counterpoint and, above all, endless perspectives. Elsewhere, the pulsing, melodic "Auburn" and entrancing electronic textures of "Opal Sequences" continue the exploration before the strutting "Kendama" showcases the electronic sensibilities that are buried within their productions. Shining as a true instrumental tour de force, Reflet also takes inspiration from the progress of the Ohme Collective. At the crossroads of art disciplines, science, new technologies, and societal challenges, this creative community draws the future of visual arts and created the album artwork for this resolutely futuristic album.

$15.50 IN STOCK

Gent three-piece Steiger are set to release new album, The New Lady Llama via groove-obsessed label Sdban Ultra. A 21st century piano trio who continue to exemplify the spirit of exploration in their sound, if the critically acclaimed albums And Above All (2017) and Give Space (SDBANU 007CD/LP, 2018) prove anything, is that Steiger is not just a band, but a continuous work-in-progress. On The New Lady Llama, Gilles Vandecaveye-Pinoy (keyboards), Kobe Boon (bass), and Simon Raman (drums) eagerly explore the outer margins of jazz and dive into other universes (contemporary music, electronica, pop, free improvisation), yet remain faithful to the genre's long-standing core principle; that of a flexible transformation. Winners of the 2017 Gent Jazz Festivals' Jazztalent award, Steiger were one of twelve acts asked to perform at the prestigious 12 Points Festival in Dublin in 2018 and recent residencies at Vooruit (Ghent), Flagey (Brussels) and deSingel (Antwerp) have allowed the band the opportunity to incorporate new ideas into the music including prepared piano, harpsichord, and synths. Collaborating with Australian contemporary electronic and avant garde composer Joe Talia (Oren Ambarchi, Jim O'Rourke), Talia was granted the freedom to remodel/remix the material that the band designed during their residencies. The end result: an electro-acoustic exploration that blurs boundaries. The New Lady Llama is the next step in Steiger's fascinating evolution as the trio continue its path of renewal and enterprise. Tracks like new single "Lambda" display a stronger emphasis on sound exploration. Steiger are not afraid to experiment with off-kilter sounds and atmospheres as they seek to explore unfamiliar territory. Striking is also the increased use of contrasts. The music keeps construction and deconstruction, form and abstraction, in a remarkable balance. "Just A Rite" for example is full of rapid twists and turns taking something straightforward and turning it on its head with stunning results. Elsewhere, "Sun Dog" and "Absolution of a French Fry" muddy the confines of the organic and the electronic resulting in something deeply cohesive and compelling.

$25.00 IN STOCK

LP version. White/blue marbled vinyl. Gent three-piece Steiger are set to release new album, The New Lady Llama via groove-obsessed label Sdban Ultra. A 21st century piano trio who continue to exemplify the spirit of exploration in their sound, if the critically acclaimed albums And Above All (2017) and Give Space (SDBANU 007CD/LP, 2018) prove anything, is that Steiger is not just a band, but a continuous work-in-progress. On The New Lady Llama, Gilles Vandecaveye-Pinoy (keyboards), Kobe Boon (bass), and Simon Raman (drums) eagerly explore the outer margins of jazz and dive into other universes (contemporary music, electronica, pop, free improvisation), yet remain faithful to the genre's long-standing core principle; that of a flexible transformation. Winners of the 2017 Gent Jazz Festivals' Jazztalent award, Steiger were one of twelve acts asked to perform at the prestigious 12 Points Festival in Dublin in 2018 and recent residencies at Vooruit (Ghent), Flagey (Brussels) and deSingel (Antwerp) have allowed the band the opportunity to incorporate new ideas into the music including prepared piano, harpsichord, and synths. Collaborating with Australian contemporary electronic and avant garde composer Joe Talia (Oren Ambarchi, Jim O'Rourke), Talia was granted the freedom to remodel/remix the material that the band designed during their residencies. The end result: an electro-acoustic exploration that blurs boundaries. The New Lady Llama is the next step in Steiger's fascinating evolution as the trio continue its path of renewal and enterprise. Tracks like new single "Lambda" display a stronger emphasis on sound exploration. Steiger are not afraid to experiment with off-kilter sounds and atmospheres as they seek to explore unfamiliar territory. Striking is also the increased use of contrasts. The music keeps construction and deconstruction, form and abstraction, in a remarkable balance. "Just A Rite" for example is full of rapid twists and turns taking something straightforward and turning it on its head with stunning results. Elsewhere, "Sun Dog" and "Absolution of a French Fry" muddy the confines of the organic and the electronic resulting in something deeply cohesive and compelling.

$15.50 IN STOCK

Known for their rhythmic sensibility and curious melody, the quintet weave together a futuristic soundsphere where electronic wind instruments, drums, electric bass, synthesizers and turntables combine with Pollock-like abandon, creating a style that while heavy on groove has enormous depth and intrigue. The band's third studio album, T(h)reats, takes inspiration from a series of explosive live shows in 2019 and is a reaction to the current situation we find ourselves in; art and music can be a treat in these strange and uncertain times. "After hours of talking, philosophizing and fantasizing about what the new approach of the record could be, nothing concrete came up. Then we just started making music to see where we'd end up like we've always done. As a result, in this day and age, with this group of people -- this is what happened," says the band. From the warped, off-beat rhythms of "Cigogne" and harmonic weirdness of "Honu" to the deep space funk of "Cumulus", where mutated drum patterns and vivid atmospherics loop together in a bold adventure into sound, STUFF. flex their muscular rhythm across T(h)reats, pushing the sound in to new dimensions. Elsewhere, "OB499" is a mesmeric mass of dark chords and uneasy bleeps while "Kwibus" is a skittish fusion of stuttered beats and ambient distortions. STUFF. released their debut EP in 2012 and in 2014, they were invited to perform a Boiler Room session for the prestigious global, online music broadcasting platform, the first European live band to do so. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 2015 to critical acclaim, a sold-out tour across Europe gained them further recognition and saw endorsements from BBC radio DJs Gilles Peterson and Phil Taggart. The follow-up album old dreams new planets released in 2017 topped the charts in Belgium. STUFF. have performed sold out shows across Europe and have gained a growing reputation for their explosive eclectic live sets, playing over 150 shows on such diverse stages as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Pukkelpop (Belgium), Secret Garden Party (UK), Shambala festival (UK), Dimensions (Croatia) and Fusion (Germany).

$26.50 IN STOCK

LP version. Known for their rhythmic sensibility and curious melody, the quintet weave together a futuristic soundsphere where electronic wind instruments, drums, electric bass, synthesizers and turntables combine with Pollock-like abandon, creating a style that while heavy on groove has enormous depth and intrigue. The band's third studio album, T(h)reats, takes inspiration from a series of explosive live shows in 2019 and is a reaction to the current situation we find ourselves in; art and music can be a treat in these strange and uncertain times. "After hours of talking, philosophizing and fantasizing about what the new approach of the record could be, nothing concrete came up. Then we just started making music to see where we'd end up like we've always done. As a result, in this day and age, with this group of people -- this is what happened," says the band. From the warped, off-beat rhythms of "Cigogne" and harmonic weirdness of "Honu" to the deep space funk of "Cumulus", where mutated drum patterns and vivid atmospherics loop together in a bold adventure into sound, STUFF. flex their muscular rhythm across T(h)reats, pushing the sound in to new dimensions. Elsewhere, "OB499" is a mesmeric mass of dark chords and uneasy bleeps while "Kwibus" is a skittish fusion of stuttered beats and ambient distortions. STUFF. released their debut EP in 2012 and in 2014, they were invited to perform a Boiler Room session for the prestigious global, online music broadcasting platform, the first European live band to do so. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 2015 to critical acclaim, a sold-out tour across Europe gained them further recognition and saw endorsements from BBC radio DJs Gilles Peterson and Phil Taggart. The follow-up album old dreams new planets released in 2017 topped the charts in Belgium. STUFF. have performed sold out shows across Europe and have gained a growing reputation for their explosive eclectic live sets, playing over 150 shows on such diverse stages as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Pukkelpop (Belgium), Secret Garden Party (UK), Shambala festival (UK), Dimensions (Croatia) and Fusion (Germany).

$14.50 IN STOCK

Bram De Looze is a Belgian pianist and composer whose distinct musical vision has found its way through both solo projects and collaborations. His unique technical skill and musical maturity have earned him considerable critical acclaim back home -- from traditional classical piano music, to solo improvisations that have often been compared to Keith Jarrett and Jason Moran. Sdban Ultra release his highly anticipated new solo album, Colour Talk. De Looze made his entrance onto the national jazz scene with LABtrio, formed in 2007 with Anneleen Boehme and Lander Gyselinck, and he immediately impressed, flirting with urban jazz, electronics, and hip hop. After a period of studying abroad at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he studied with Uri Caine and Marc Copland, in 2014, De Looze launched the international septet, Septych, that once again stressed his affinity for jazz, classical music, and improvisation. Over the past few years, De Looze could frequently be heard with kindred spirits like Stéphane Galland, Dre Hocevar, and Antoine Pierre but it was a visit to the historical collection of pianofortes of Chris Maene that inspired De Looze to release his first solo album, Piano é Forte (2017). He would garner further acclaim working alongside fellow Belgian Robin Verheyen and American rhythm painter Joey Baron with whom he recorded MixMonk (2019), a tribute to the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. The switch to the Chris Maene Straight Strung Grand Piano for Switch The Stream (2018) indicated a renewed search for movement, evolution, and introspection. His latest solo project Colour Talk, continues this trajectory with another revolutionary piano model, designed by lauded architect Rafael Viñoly, and a continued attempt to renew from within. On Colour Talk, what you hear is a musician who has freed himself from stylistic constraints and limitations. While still rooted in jazz, classical music, and free improvisation he has found a new balance, a coexistence that enables the pianist to express himself with a new vigor. Colour Talk is an ode to (re)invention in the grey zone were the classical idiom and improvisatory urges meet, with the 13-minute tour-de-force of "Hypnosis" as one of several undisputed highlights.

$23.00 IN STOCK

LP version. Bram De Looze is a Belgian pianist and composer whose distinct musical vision has found its way through both solo projects and collaborations. His unique technical skill and musical maturity have earned him considerable critical acclaim back home -- from traditional classical piano music, to solo improvisations that have often been compared to Keith Jarrett and Jason Moran. Sdban Ultra release his highly anticipated new solo album, Colour Talk. De Looze made his entrance onto the national jazz scene with LABtrio, formed in 2007 with Anneleen Boehme and Lander Gyselinck, and he immediately impressed, flirting with urban jazz, electronics, and hip hop. After a period of studying abroad at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he studied with Uri Caine and Marc Copland, in 2014, De Looze launched the international septet, Septych, that once again stressed his affinity for jazz, classical music, and improvisation. Over the past few years, De Looze could frequently be heard with kindred spirits like Stéphane Galland, Dre Hocevar, and Antoine Pierre but it was a visit to the historical collection of pianofortes of Chris Maene that inspired De Looze to release his first solo album, Piano é Forte (2017). He would garner further acclaim working alongside fellow Belgian Robin Verheyen and American rhythm painter Joey Baron with whom he recorded MixMonk (2019), a tribute to the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. The switch to the Chris Maene Straight Strung Grand Piano for Switch The Stream (2018) indicated a renewed search for movement, evolution, and introspection. His latest solo project Colour Talk, continues this trajectory with another revolutionary piano model, designed by lauded architect Rafael Viñoly, and a continued attempt to renew from within. On Colour Talk, what you hear is a musician who has freed himself from stylistic constraints and limitations. While still rooted in jazz, classical music, and free improvisation he has found a new balance, a coexistence that enables the pianist to express himself with a new vigor. Colour Talk is an ode to (re)invention in the grey zone were the classical idiom and improvisatory urges meet, with the 13-minute tour-de-force of "Hypnosis" as one of several undisputed highlights.

$17.50 LOW STOCK LEVEL

Echt! -- an instrumental, futuristic four-piece inspired by the concepts absorbed in electronic music and musical production. Having crystallized their innovative style and sound on the Brussels scene, this group of visionary music makers are pleased to announce the release of their debut EP Douf, released via groove-heavy record label Sdban Ultra. Recorded in an empty space in Colfontaine, Hainaut in just three days, Echt! draw on influences including electro, hip-hop, psychedelic groove, footwork, trap, funk, and futuristic jazz. Artists that excite them include Jonwayne, DJ Rashad, Deantoni Parks, J Dilla, Dorian Concept, and Aphex Twin. Across eight tracks consumed as one continuous 16-minute mix of swirling beats and edgy offbeat rhythms, Echt! weave together a musical collage of sound -- equal parts acoustic and electric. Tracks like the sonic sound explosion of "Bonjour", the scatter rhythms and busy hi-hats of "Tsht" and the abstract beats and subby bass of "Mad Merckx" are symptomatic of the Echt! sound that is heavy in groove and deep in intrigue. Echt! look to emulate the producer's off-beats, the compressor's swell, the repeating samples or the DJ's transitions. Echt means "vrai de vrai" -- "true" or "real" in Brusseleir (Brabantian dialect of Brussels). It is a direct reference to the fact that their sound transmission is "real", performed with conventional musical instruments as oppose to computer music which the production might suggest. It also relates to the fact that none of the members of the band are originally from Brussels -- bassist Federico Pecoraro is from Italy, keyboardist Dorian Dumont is from France and drummer Martin Mereau and guitarist Florent Jeunieaux are both from Mons. Elsewhere, debut single "R2D2" is a raw, gritty musical adventure while the skittish future funk of "Chicago Stuk" and subtle vibrations of "So Zat" offer further explorations into the world of Echt! "Douf is our tribute to Teklife DJs such as DJ Rashad, DJ Earl, Taso and DJ Spinn", says keyboardist Dorian Dumont.

$23.50 NOT IN STOCK

LP version. Gatefold sleeve. Compro Oro; a psychedelic underground road trip to Africa, the Middle East and the Americas via Belgium. On the band's Suburban Exotica, the spirit of Cal Tjader, Mulatu Astatke, or Marc Ribot is never far away. One of the leading bands in the ever-expanding new wave of Belgian jazz, Compro Oro's wayward and psychedelic approach to a broad range of sounds has gained them a devoted fan base since the band's formation in 2014. Produced by Ghent-based multi-instrumentalist Dijf Sanders, Suburban Exotica digs deep into several ethnic music traditions, leaving the listener enthralled in dark grooves and rabid psychedelica. From the danceable beats and colorful sounds of "Miami New Wave", the exotic rhythms and textures of "10 Dollar Jeans Jacket", and the curious vibraphone infusions and wild guitar riffs of "Rastapopoulos", to the heady, bass-laden mover and shaker "Lalibela", and traditional Latin and Cuban rhythms of "Dark Crystal", Compro Oro offer wild, profound, and uncanny flavors that explore the best of Afro-Cuban music and jazz-tinged psychedelia. Suburban Exotica features drummer, keyboardist, and percussionist Joachim Cooder, son of guitar legend Ry Cooder who played on both the landmark Buena Vista Social Club albums and the Manuel Galban spin-off, Mambo Sinuendo. He adds percussion and his effects-laden electric mbira to three tracks on the album: "Miami New Wave", "Rastapopoulos", and "Dark Crystal". "I had a great time playing on this record. Compro Oro blends together so many interesting rhythms and styles that I never knew what was coming next. I like to work that way." On Suburban Exotica, Compro Oro's Wim Segers adds, "Thanks to Bart (Vervaeck) and saxophonist Nathan Daems (Black Flower), I've discovered Arab and Turkish music. I've learned to embrace my own neighborhood. When you live in this part of Ghent, Eastern rhythms are the beat of the street." Vervaeck chips in, "We aren't Cuban; we aren't Morocccan --we know that. We just sail from one coast to another. Finding our own place."

$14.50 IN STOCK

Compro Oro; a psychedelic underground road trip to Africa, the Middle East and the Americas via Belgium. On the band's Suburban Exotica, the spirit of Cal Tjader, Mulatu Astatke, or Marc Ribot is never far away. One of the leading bands in the ever-expanding new wave of Belgian jazz, Compro Oro's wayward and psychedelic approach to a broad range of sounds has gained them a devoted fan base since the band's formation in 2014. Produced by Ghent-based multi-instrumentalist Dijf Sanders, Suburban Exotica digs deep into several ethnic music traditions, leaving the listener enthralled in dark grooves and rabid psychedelica. From the danceable beats and colorful sounds of "Miami New Wave", the exotic rhythms and textures of "10 Dollar Jeans Jacket", and the curious vibraphone infusions and wild guitar riffs of "Rastapopoulos", to the heady, bass-laden mover and shaker "Lalibela", and traditional Latin and Cuban rhythms of "Dark Crystal", Compro Oro offer wild, profound, and uncanny flavors that explore the best of Afro-Cuban music and jazz-tinged psychedelia. Suburban Exotica features drummer, keyboardist, and percussionist Joachim Cooder, son of guitar legend Ry Cooder who played on both the landmark Buena Vista Social Club albums and the Manuel Galban spin-off, Mambo Sinuendo. He adds percussion and his effects-laden electric mbira to three tracks on the album: "Miami New Wave", "Rastapopoulos", and "Dark Crystal". "I had a great time playing on this record. Compro Oro blends together so many interesting rhythms and styles that I never knew what was coming next. I like to work that way." On Suburban Exotica, Compro Oro's Wim Segers adds, "Thanks to Bart (Vervaeck) and saxophonist Nathan Daems (Black Flower), I've discovered Arab and Turkish music. I've learned to embrace my own neighborhood. When you live in this part of Ghent, Eastern rhythms are the beat of the street." Vervaeck chips in, "We aren't Cuban; we aren't Morocccan --we know that. We just sail from one coast to another. Finding our own place." CD version comes in a digipack.

$14.50 NOT IN STOCK

Dutch-Belgian acoustic-electronic piano trio De Beren Gieren provide robust evidence that gold can still be mined from the union of piano, bass, and drums. Based on the compositions of pianist Fulco Ottervanger, the trio use the power of improvisation on the quest for a new form and create a multi-layered, kaleidoscopic work of art. The "Broensgebuzzes" are common themes in the work of De Beren Gieren. It is a small nostalgic piece of music, an invitation to long-gone memories. Each of these sound prints have appeared on previous albums.

$14.50 IN STOCK

John Ghost is ingenious and exploratory, often described as a symbiosis between the sounds of Steve Reich, John Hollenbeck, Nils Frahm, and Jaga Jazzist. Created around the Ghent guitarist and composer Jo De Geest, the Belgian sextet draw on influences from jazz, rock and post-classical music, where minimalism, electronics, and a cinematic atmosphere characterize their instrumental music. Airships Are Organisms, released via Sdban Ultra, was produced by Jørgen Træen (Jaga Jazzist, Kaizers Orchestra, Hubro, Sondre Lerche). When it came to recording the album, John Ghost searched for a balance between the venturous, accessible and playful character of jazz music, in which John Ghost has its origins, and a carefully thought out selection process with the production, with a sharp eye and ear for detail. Seemingly simple earwigs are underpinned by driving undertones that inspire harmonic twists and a rhythmic and melodic stratification, that often results in a very danceable soundtrack. Tracks like 13-minute album opener "Deconstructing Hymns", keep a fine balance between moments of abstraction and repetition while recent single "Disfunctional Rabbits: The Disfunction" is an intoxicating, dreamy soundscape that alternates between balanced jazz fluctuations and space-like grooves. Elsewhere, the idiosyncratic "The Fallen Colony", spirals into a progressive narrative of experimentation and improvisation, a common thread throughout large parts of John Ghost's music, before the haunting "Drones For a Sunken Mothership", combines soaring bowed melodies and broken beats that is not only mesmeric but filled with breathtaking majesty.

Formed in 2010, John Ghost were nominated for the "Young Jazz Talent" Award at the prestigious Gent Jazz Festival the same year, and a series of shows followed including the International Jazz Festival Middelburg, in the Netherlands. After a brief hiatus, they released their 2016 album For A Year They Slept, to critical acclaim across Belgium, and they have been busy in the studio once again, developing and honing their sound.

$23.50 NOT IN STOCK

LP version. Gatefold sleeve. John Ghost is ingenious and exploratory, often described as a symbiosis between the sounds of Steve Reich, John Hollenbeck, Nils Frahm, and Jaga Jazzist. Created around the Ghent guitarist and composer Jo De Geest, the Belgian sextet draw on influences from jazz, rock and post-classical music, where minimalism, electronics, and a cinematic atmosphere characterize their instrumental music. Airships Are Organisms, released via Sdban Ultra, was produced by Jørgen Træen (Jaga Jazzist, Kaizers Orchestra, Hubro, Sondre Lerche). When it came to recording the album, John Ghost searched for a balance between the venturous, accessible and playful character of jazz music, in which John Ghost has its origins, and a carefully thought out selection process with the production, with a sharp eye and ear for detail. Seemingly simple earwigs are underpinned by driving undertones that inspire harmonic twists and a rhythmic and melodic stratification, that often results in a very danceable soundtrack. Tracks like 13-minute album opener "Deconstructing Hymns", keep a fine balance between moments of abstraction and repetition while recent single "Disfunctional Rabbits: The Disfunction" is an intoxicating, dreamy soundscape that alternates between balanced jazz fluctuations and space-like grooves. Elsewhere, the idiosyncratic "The Fallen Colony", spirals into a progressive narrative of experimentation and improvisation, a common thread throughout large parts of John Ghost's music, before the haunting "Drones For a Sunken Mothership", combines soaring bowed melodies and broken beats that is not only mesmeric but filled with breathtaking majesty.

Formed in 2010, John Ghost were nominated for the "Young Jazz Talent" Award at the prestigious Gent Jazz Festival the same year, and a series of shows followed including the International Jazz Festival Middelburg, in the Netherlands. After a brief hiatus, they released their 2016 album For A Year They Slept, to critical acclaim across Belgium, and they have been busy in the studio once again, developing and honing their sound.

$14.50 IN STOCK

TaxiWars is back after a three-year hiatus with new album Artificial Horizon, released via Sdban Ultra. An intensive collaboration between dEUS frontman Tom Barman, saxophonist Robin Verheyen, bassist Nicolas Thys, and drummer Antoine Pierre, TaxiWars are a mix of lyricism, poetry, and jazz with a rock sensibility. Three years in the making, Artificial Horizon, is a metaphorical step forward from 2016's critically-acclaimed album Fever. Reinventing themselves, Barman and Verheyen came up with something very fresh and personal, tastefully evolving from a cubistic jazz sound to a more melodious direction. The band took their music to the next level adding depth to their compositions, clarity to the beats and efficiency to their overall sound. Artificial Horizon is high on experimentation and creativity and demonstrates a kaleidoscope of styles and sounds. Tracks, like album opener "Drop Shot", are sharp and on point, with a heavy sense of groove, while recent single "Sharp Practice", is an impulsive, energetic vibration that steams jazz with late eighties hip-hop beats. Title track "Artificial Horizon", is both beguiling and insistent with an ingrained punkiness that sets the band apart from the plush jazz scene, all thanks to Verheyen's punchy, melodic lines and Barman's haunting lyrics. "I wanted TaxiWars to be sharp, to the point, punky and trashy -- much like the band Morphine. Long solos were no-go," says Barman. The exquisite piano ballad "Irritated Love" complete with smoky sax is an example of the ease in which TaxiWars merge certain traditional elements of jazz with an indie approach to songwriting while tracks like "The Glare" and "Infinity Cove" display TaxiWars' love for jazz musicians such as Pharaoh Sanders, Archie Shepp, and Charles Mingus -- full of swing, pulse, and the urge to break out of the genre's confinements. CD version comes in digipack; includes booklet.

$23.50 NOT IN STOCK

LP version. TaxiWars is back after a three-year hiatus with new album Artificial Horizon, released via Sdban Ultra. An intensive collaboration between dEUS frontman Tom Barman, saxophonist Robin Verheyen, bassist Nicolas Thys, and drummer Antoine Pierre, TaxiWars are a mix of lyricism, poetry, and jazz with a rock sensibility. Three years in the making, Artificial Horizon, is a metaphorical step forward from 2016's critically-acclaimed album Fever. Reinventing themselves, Barman and Verheyen came up with something very fresh and personal, tastefully evolving from a cubistic jazz sound to a more melodious direction. The band took their music to the next level adding depth to their compositions, clarity to the beats and efficiency to their overall sound. Artificial Horizon is high on experimentation and creativity and demonstrates a kaleidoscope of styles and sounds. Tracks, like album opener "Drop Shot", are sharp and on point, with a heavy sense of groove, while recent single "Sharp Practice", is an impulsive, energetic vibration that steams jazz with late eighties hip-hop beats. Title track "Artificial Horizon", is both beguiling and insistent with an ingrained punkiness that sets the band apart from the plush jazz scene, all thanks to Verheyen's punchy, melodic lines and Barman's haunting lyrics. "I wanted TaxiWars to be sharp, to the point, punky and trashy -- much like the band Morphine. Long solos were no-go," says Barman. The exquisite piano ballad "Irritated Love" complete with smoky sax is an example of the ease in which TaxiWars merge certain traditional elements of jazz with an indie approach to songwriting while tracks like "The Glare" and "Infinity Cove" display TaxiWars' love for jazz musicians such as Pharaoh Sanders, Archie Shepp, and Charles Mingus -- full of swing, pulse, and the urge to break out of the genre's confinements.

$21.00 LOW STOCK LEVEL

Created in Brussels in 2015, Azmari is a twisting musical journey that fuses psych-funk, Afrobeat, Ethio-jazz, and dub. Recorded in a rented room in Brussels in just three days, Ekera, meaning "the other world", is a deep hypnotic sound that blends asymmetrical rhythms with winding improvisations. From the Middle Eastern sounds and devilish rhythms of "Dolmus", a magnetic, free-jazz re-working of the Mulatu Astatke composition "Emnete", to the energetic and spellbinding flood of roaring saxes on "Mammouth", Azmari draw on influences including Herbie Hancock, Cymande, The Heliocentrics, Fela Kuti, and much more. Includes Metta Frequencies remix.

$14.50 LOW STOCK LEVEL

With a hybrid jazz based on African grooves, Ethio-oriental melodies and psychedelic dub this Belgian five-piece creates an atmosphere where ancient and modern sounds fuse into a powerful, hypnotic, and groovy sensation. Receiving critical acclaim for their second album Artifacts (SDBANU 002CD/LP, 2017), the Belgian quintet are pleased to announce the release of their much-anticipated third album entitled Future Flora. Piloted by saxophonist/flutist/composer Nathan Daems (Ragini Trio, Dijf Sanders, Echoes of Zoo), the input of notorious musicians, drummer Simon Segers (MDC III, De Beren Gieren, Stadt), cornet player Jon Birdsong (dEUS, Beck, Calexico), keyboardist Wouter Haest (Voodoo Boogie), and bassist Filip Vandebril (Lady Linn, The Valerie Solanas) leads to the specific universe that only Black Flower is able to create. Where debut album Abyssinia Afterlife (2014) and Artifacts bathed in an atmosphere of psychedelics, mythical figures, ancient sounds, and modern cultures, Future Flora refers to the power of plants and their importance for the future. Future Flora is a metaphor for the importance of feeding and watering powerful and revolutionary ideas and initiatives that can save our world. Black Flower's musical cross-pollination of sounds and rhythms remain on Future Flora, but there is still room for a more Western touch with Romanian and Maloya (Réunion) influences. Daems developed his own arrangements where Western, Oriental, and Ethiopian scales and chords are fused together to create a real mix of traditional instrumentation and modern electrical vibrations. The strong underlying groove is omnipresent, but the room for psychedelics, folklore, and experimentation grows. Songs like "Hora de Aksum" combine modern western rhythms with doses of Balkan eccentricities while "Future Flora" takes you on a psych-delicious, 21th century, Ethio-dub-jazz trip with echoes of Mulatu Astatke and Fela Kuti.

$22.00 NOT IN STOCK

LP version. With a hybrid jazz based on African grooves, Ethio-oriental melodies and psychedelic dub this Belgian five-piece creates an atmosphere where ancient and modern sounds fuse into a powerful, hypnotic, and groovy sensation. Receiving critical acclaim for their second album Artifacts (SDBANU 002CD/LP, 2017), the Belgian quintet are pleased to announce the release of their much-anticipated third album entitled Future Flora. Piloted by saxophonist/flutist/composer Nathan Daems (Ragini Trio, Dijf Sanders, Echoes of Zoo), the input of notorious musicians, drummer Simon Segers (MDC III, De Beren Gieren, Stadt), cornet player Jon Birdsong (dEUS, Beck, Calexico), keyboardist Wouter Haest (Voodoo Boogie), and bassist Filip Vandebril (Lady Linn, The Valerie Solanas) leads to the specific universe that only Black Flower is able to create. Where debut album Abyssinia Afterlife (2014) and Artifacts bathed in an atmosphere of psychedelics, mythical figures, ancient sounds, and modern cultures, Future Flora refers to the power of plants and their importance for the future. Future Flora is a metaphor for the importance of feeding and watering powerful and revolutionary ideas and initiatives that can save our world. Black Flower's musical cross-pollination of sounds and rhythms remain on Future Flora, but there is still room for a more Western touch with Romanian and Maloya (Réunion) influences. Daems developed his own arrangements where Western, Oriental, and Ethiopian scales and chords are fused together to create a real mix of traditional instrumentation and modern electrical vibrations. The strong underlying groove is omnipresent, but the room for psychedelics, folklore, and experimentation grows. Songs like "Hora de Aksum" combine modern western rhythms with doses of Balkan eccentricities while "Future Flora" takes you on a psych-delicious, 21th century, Ethio-dub-jazz trip with echoes of Mulatu Astatke and Fela Kuti.

$25.00 NOT IN STOCK

Double LP version. 180 gram vinyl; gatefold sleeve with liners. Belgian-based record label Sdban Ultra present their latest groove-heavy compilation, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats. Compiled by Belgian DJ and eclectic connoisseur Lefto, Jazz Cats showcases the next generation of Belgian jazz artists including the psychedelic jazz-fusion collective BRZZVLL, the outrageous BeraadGeslagen, radical experimentalists Steiger, electro-acoustic piano trio De Beren Gieren, and futuristic funksters, STUFF. With jazz seeing a resurgence over the last decade, an explosion of young musicians are exploring and experimenting with the sound and there is a renewal of energies, with Belgium at the forefront. From the youthful jazz iconoclasts of SCHNTZL and the Ethiopique-inspired quintet Black Flower, to the jazz-rock hybrid of Commander Spoon, and one of the most distinguished Belgian jazz groups of the past ten years, LABtrio, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats is the perfect introduction to the current Belgian jazz scene and the artists currently making waves across Europe. Also features: 2 Times Nothing, LABtrio, Glass Museum, Compro Oro, Mazzle, Madame Blavatsky, Collective Conscience, and Pudding oO.

The word "tastemaker" often gets mentioned when Lefto's name pops up in discussions, and rightly so. Famed for his gloriously eclectic DJ sets, he switches effortlessly between hip hop, funk, breaks, neck-snapping beats, future bass, South-American influences, bruk riddims, and some wild African rhythms. As one the most important DJs Europe has to offer, and affiliated with labels Brownswood, Blue Note, !K7 Records, Stones Throw, and Jazzy Sport, Lefto is consistently a couple steps ahead. He doesn't wait for the next thing to land on his lap, actively seeking it out -- just take a peek at his playlists on Belgium's foremost national radio station Studio Brussel which received compliments from Rough Trade Shops and Gilles Peterson. Growing up around jazz as a child, his father would wake him up with the sounds of jazz flowing from the speakers and would often take him to dark and smoky bars around his home town of Brussels to hear the latest Belgian jazz ensembles. Falling in love with jazz, he would later refine has knack for record digging while working at a record store in Brussels, immersing himself in hip hop and jazz. Today, Lefto regularly blesses sound systems from Tokyo to Seoul and Singapore to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He's not only a deejay and producer but also curates his own stage at the Dour Festival and his own nights in Gent in collaboration with Democrazy.

$15.50 IN STOCK

Belgian-based record label Sdban Ultra present their latest groove-heavy compilation, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats. Compiled by Belgian DJ and eclectic connoisseur Lefto, Jazz Cats showcases the next generation of Belgian jazz artists including the psychedelic jazz-fusion collective BRZZVLL, the outrageous BeraadGeslagen, radical experimentalists Steiger, electro-acoustic piano trio De Beren Gieren, and futuristic funksters, STUFF. With jazz seeing a resurgence over the last decade, an explosion of young musicians are exploring and experimenting with the sound and there is a renewal of energies, with Belgium at the forefront. From the youthful jazz iconoclasts of SCHNTZL and the Ethiopique-inspired quintet Black Flower, to the jazz-rock hybrid of Commander Spoon, and one of the most distinguished Belgian jazz groups of the past ten years, LABtrio, Lefto Presents Jazz Cats is the perfect introduction to the current Belgian jazz scene and the artists currently making waves across Europe. Also features: 2 Times Nothing, LABtrio, Glass Museum, Compro Oro, Mazzle, Madame Blavatsky, Collective Conscience, and Pudding oO.

The word "tastemaker" often gets mentioned when Lefto's name pops up in discussions, and rightly so. Famed for his gloriously eclectic DJ sets, he switches effortlessly between hip hop, funk, breaks, neck-snapping beats, future bass, South-American influences, bruk riddims, and some wild African rhythms. As one the most important DJs Europe has to offer, and affiliated with labels Brownswood, Blue Note, !K7 Records, Stones Throw, and Jazzy Sport, Lefto is consistently a couple steps ahead. He doesn't wait for the next thing to land on his lap, actively seeking it out -- just take a peek at his playlists on Belgium's foremost national radio station Studio Brussel which received compliments from Rough Trade Shops and Gilles Peterson. Growing up around jazz as a child, his father would wake him up with the sounds of jazz flowing from the speakers and would often take him to dark and smoky bars around his home town of Brussels to hear the latest Belgian jazz ensembles. Falling in love with jazz, he would later refine has knack for record digging while working at a record store in Brussels, immersing himself in hip hop and jazz. Today, Lefto regularly blesses sound systems from Tokyo to Seoul and Singapore to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He's not only a deejay and producer but also curates his own stage at the Dour Festival and his own nights in Gent in collaboration with Democrazy.

$28.50 NOT IN STOCK

LP version with download code. Ghent's Steiger are a piano trio, but not in the classical sense. With their versatile style, influenced by different musical genres such as jazz, rock, pop, classical, and electronic music, they try to find a balance between composition and improvisation through the use of experimentation and electronics. Considered pioneers of the Belgian jazz crossover scene, Steiger have been active for six years and have recently found themselves performing at major jazz venues in Flanders, picking up numerous accolades along the way. The trio's highly anticipated sophomore album Give Space was recorded at seven different locations, with the music composed to fit and fight these locations within a dialogue of acoustics, atmospheres and appetition. Field recordings, reverbs, and ambient sounds are all collected within the search for the unpredictable, given space within this dialogue as an essential part of the encounter. As a result, the locations emerge somewhat as a fourth member of the trio. The music, sometimes fixed, sometimes completely free, thus becomes an ever-changing journey into their multi-faceted world.

$18.00 NOT IN STOCK

On her debut EP, Brussels-based multi-instrumentalist Esinam gives us an entrancing insight into her eclectic world of jazztronica. Esinam carries influences from different worlds geographically, culturally and musically. Blending traditional and modern instruments with her soulful voice, the acoustic sounds of the instruments are allowed to evolve and take on new dimensions, opening up a kaleidoscopic spectrum of sound and color. Through merging different genres of music, we are warmly welcomed into Esinam's musical universe. Includes collaboration with Senegalese DJ and producer Ibaaku.