The countdown 2017 | Matthew Stevens

'Opening with a distant glow of synths and a dissonant, strobing pattern on acoustic guitar, it leads to a melody suffused with unhurried grandeur. Archer and Doob keep the motor humming at an unpredictable frequency, and Stevens reels off a calmly self-assured solo.' (Nate Chinen)

So the praise for Matthew Stevens' second album, Preverbal, begins. Matt tours regularly with Esperanza Spalding (who appears on a track), yet clearly has his own uique vision of what Jazz can be. Virtuosic, Shape Shifting, and visceral are all used to describe this kinetic exploration of harmony and rhythm as Stevens bridges his garage band past with the present. Recorded without charts, Preverbal features Eric Doob on drums and Vicente Archer on bass.

The Countdown 2017 | Maurice Brown

THIS RECORD! Maurice Brown joined the Ropeadope family with his Mobetta label in a whirlwind session of discussions, and he dropped this gem that we rank as one of our top releases of the year. Maurice has a brilliant combination of purpose, perserverance, and talent that set him in the front of his generation of musicians. The Mood features incredible performances by Kris Bowers, Chelsea Baratz, Chris Turner, Joe Blaxx, Weedie Braimah, Saunders Sermons, J. Ivy, and Talib Kweli. The expected groove, polish, and trumpet pyrotechnics are there, yet The Mood reaches much further with adventurous exploration and rounds out with the message of 'Stand Up', delivered by Talib Kweli. This song should be the anthem of 2017. 

The Countdown 2017 | Ben Rando

Ben Rando heads up our label partner Onde Music in the south of France, and consistently brings tasteful albums that walk the open space between Jazz and Soul. This year he graced the airwaves with his self titled debut album, featuring the divine Sarah Elizabeth Charles on vocals, Yacine Boulares on sax, Federico Casagrande on guitar , Sam Favreau on double bass, and Cédrick Bec on the drums. The clarity of the recording hits you first, followed by Rando's intensely personal feel and emotive playing. This record tells a story of the world from one man's view - self reflective, taking in the loneliness of the world and transforming it to something positive and beautiful. The compositions are intricate, bringing Rando's experience in classical music, dance, and theater together under the language of Jazz. Dig in. 

The Countdown 2017 | Soule Monde

"The new Soule Monde album Must Be Nice digs deeper into the pool of rhythms and melody. Still drawing from the funk and also the rhythms Russ played with his time in the Afro Beat band Zzebra. Ray and Russ mash it all together Soule Monde style with that great chemistry they have for writing as a band. Always boiling it down to some unique songs for your body, mind and soul. It's been said before but Must Be Nice will take you on a musical journey." (Russ Lawton)

In solid contrast to the sizzle and the flash - these guys simply hold down the groove. It is refreshing to hear the Hammond in a near constant, up-front solo state with drums just straight locked in. These cats have played a few gigs together, and the seasoned feel of their musical partnership tells the story.

Dig in right here.