Alex Gallacher

Radio Lusaka marks the first-ever vinyl compilation of Alick Nkhata’s work, a golden-voiced singer, freedom fighter, and a pivotal figure in Zambia’s freedom movement. The album is accompanied by a booklet featuring lyric translations by Zambian author Ellen Banda-Aaku and in-depth notes by scholar Jamal Khadar. The album reveals the legacy of a man whose music and voice were deeply connected to his country’s journey towards independence.

To mark their 300th release, Carbon Records are releasing The Sun Is Not True, a compilation album featuring new and exclusive tracks by Liam Grant / Grayson McGuire / Trevor McKenzie, Rob Noyes, Spatulas, Will Veeder, Greymouth, Thurston Moore, murusonus, David Nance, Holt Bodish (of Mordecai), Escalation (Bruce Russell and Peter Wright), Takeda (of Bardo Pond), Rock Candy (Emily Robb and Kryssi Battalene) and Ethan WL.

Georgia Harmer’s new album, Eye of the Storm, is a powerful testament to emotional growth and self-discovery. This deeply personal sophomore release, recorded in intimate settings from living rooms to garages, offers a stripped-down sound that feels both raw and vulnerable. Harmer’s meticulous songwriting and production shine throughout.

C.R. Gillespie’s new album, Island Of Women, is a moving sonic tapestry woven from personal experience. Conceived during the pandemic, the album began as modern-classical demos that Gillespie meticulously transformed into a humanistic soundscape. Inspired by a family trip to Mexico’s Isla Mujeres, the record is a beautiful, balmy blend of organic textures, electronics, and field recordings that capture the profound experience of fatherhood and quiet isolation.

The Chad Taylor Quintet’s “Smoke Shifter,” out November 14, 2025, is a testament to jazz as a living language. As the album notes highlight, the music is a “continually developing social reflection on language.” Featuring a quintet with deep Philadelphia roots, the album showcases a collaborative spirit, with compositions from all members, resulting in a cohesive and dynamic sound that defies easy classification.

Carson McHone’s new single, “Idiom,” is a stunning preview of her forthcoming album, Pentimento. The accompanying video, filmed by Daniel Romano, showcases a powerful dance performance by Allie Blumas. The project, which premieres at the In the Soil Arts Festival, blends folk music with elements of chamber pop, creating a sweeping and intimate soundscape.

Constant Smiles’ Felte debut, Moonflowers, drops on November 7th, featuring contributions from Fred Thomas, Katie Von Schleicher, Shahzad Ismaily, Steven R. Smith, P.G. Six and more. Much like the night-blooming flora it’s named after, the album is the product of slow, largely unseen growth. Watch the video for their lead single “Time Measured in Moonflowers”, featuring Cassandra Jenkins.

Okkyung Lee is set to release her new album, Just Like Any Other Day (어느날), on September 5. The second preview track, “let’s walk down to the swamp together,” reveals a significant shift in the celebrated cellist’s approach. Inspired by a mistranslated memory from her childhood in Korea, the track is a mesmerizing, ambient journey into the unknown and a powerful exploration of memory.

Mulatu Astatke, the “father of Ethio-jazz,” is releasing “Mulatu Plays Mulatu,” on September 26th via Strut, his first major studio album in over ten years. Featuring LA-based artists Carlos Niño and Kibrom Birhane, the album features new arrangements of his classic compositions, with the second single, “Kulun,” reimagining a traditional Ethiopian wedding song. The album is described as a culmination of his life’s work in bringing Ethio-jazz to the world.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland shares poignant covers of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and “Save The Children” ahead of his October tour. These new recordings are a direct response to contemporary issues like the conflict in Gaza, the attacks on Trans rights, and the Black Lives Matter movement, articulating his lifelong mission to foster community and speak truth to power.

Fruit Bats’ new single, “Let You People Down,” is a sparse and captivating track that sets the tone for the upcoming album, Baby Man. A departure from his usual sound, the song is a raw, intimate solo performance that Eric D. Johnson calls an “ode to the people pleasers.” It’s a vulnerable look at self-doubt and the anxieties of an artist.

Coming this October is the self-titled second album from Portland’s Cosmic Tones Research Trio, a record that solidifies their place in modern spiritual jazz. Led by the virtuosic saxophonist Roman Norfleet, the trio crafts layered, transcendent soundscapes that are both meditative and rhythmically compelling. Their lead single, “Sankofa,” is out now, offering a glimpse into the album’s deep improvisational traditions and thoughtful compositions.