After many years of study with master musicians around the world, Itzhak Ventura explores the sound of the ney (Middle Eastern end-blown reed flute) as part of his contemporary quartet. Aligned, his debut release, unfolds his personal story with heartfelt and virtuosic musicianship.

A few years ago, musician, writer and philosopher David Rothenberg invited me to join him in several musical projects involving the sounds of unique birds from around the world.

With Ein Sof — which translates to 'there is no end' — Itzhak Ventura has created a mysterious, slowly-unfolding album pairing his fluttering ney with an ambient-electronic soundbath from producer/musician Yuvi “Rejoicer” Havkin. The record, out on Tel Aviv’s iconic Raw Tapes, pushes the boundaries of the label’s already-experimental, genre-blurring roster. Ventura and Havkin converged in the studio in February, 2023, and immediately found their spark. The 10 tracks of Ein Sof pay homage to the classical tradition of the ney while adding electronic flourishes that help these recordings transcend anything that’s come before. Ventura created this album to speak to the soul: “I want people to feel the connection of heart and spirit. The ney itself is a reed cut from its source; this sound reflects how we are also separated from the divine. And these songs bring us closer to unity.”

ATA Records are proud to announce the new album I Too Am A Stranger from The Sorcerers, following previous album successes The Sorcerers and In Search of The Lost City of The Monkey God, which garnered high praise from Mulatu Astatke Who's this? The Sorcerers? It's cool! This is great. Give me the CD man!" and recent Radio 6-listed 7" single Exit Athens, of which Giles Peterson said, "Great Stuff as always".

Jazzland Recordings presents Canberk Ulaş's solo duduk album “Echoes of Becoming”, a captivating fusion of heritage and innovation. Prepare to be transported to a realm where ancient echoes meet contemporary expressions, and the boundaries of musical exploration are redefined.

Few artists would dare to tackle quite such a kaleidoscope of music styles and accompanying socio-political issues in the space of 12 songs and 66 minutes. And yet France-based Senegalese virtuosic bassist, vocalist and composer Alune Wade, who’s worked with Joe Zawinul, Marcus Miller, Oumou Sangare, Bobby McFerrin, Youssou N’Dour and others, achieves this with effortless mastery on Sultan, his fifth solo album in 15 years.

Esteemed Spotted Peccary artists Deborah Martin and Erik Wøllo reunite with their daring and vibrant release Kinishba, the follow-up to their dynamic 2009 album Between Worlds, which initiated listeners to another time and place, honoring the Apache people and the sacred nature of Native American culture.

Psychedelic music born from jams with a lush groove of drums and percussion, a dense foundation of keys and bass, and flute and guitar soaring above them. The septet from Moscow experiments with genres, entering the territory of prog rock, blues rock, stoner and funk.

The joint album presents eight tracks written by Yinon Muallem and Saman Alia. The diverse musical repertoire draws its inspiration from the Maquam music of the Middle East and uses elements of jazz. They are joined by guest musicians from Sweden and Israel, who contribute their very own influences to a fascinating overall sound. For their joint album "2gether", the duo traveled through Israel and Turkey, where the music was created and the two formed a connection that would go far beyond the music on the album.

HIVA: DEBUT ALBUM FROM VIRTUOSO AHMAD AL KHATIB & KAVEH MAHMUDIYAN. When the duo Ahmad Al Khatib and Kaveh Mahmudiyan now release their first album, "Hiva", it is with music from the piece "Study for Tombak and Oud" commissioned by Global Oslo Music in 2023. This work originated in a masterful meeting between two of the foremost performers in the world on the Oud, the stringed instrument that has a central place in classical Arabic music, and the percussion instrument Tombak, which is used to a particular extent within older Iranian musical traditions. Have a listen!

“When things are simple, when music does not have to be discussed, when it emerges spontaneously as if to enhance an already existing painting.”

YĪN YĪN’s new long player, The Age of Aquarius, is a simple, direct appeal to dance. It is also a record blessed with a considerable hinterland; with cosmic time, long studio hours and a determination to transcend the daily ennui of living in the Dutch city of Maastricht all playing their part.

The music of Dareyn combines the mystical sound of the kemenche – with its heritage of traditional music originating from Istanbul and the Silk Road – and the deep-rooted sound of the cello in a contemporary fashion. The musicians Emine Bostanci and Maya Fridman blend their vocal talents with their instrumental expertise, creating a uniquely mesmerising soundscape.

Oran Etkin has been described as “Ebullient” by the New York Times, and voted #1 rising star clarinetist in DownBeat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll. His music can be heard on concert stages worldwide and on numerous recordings, including a Grammy Award Winning compilation. He is on the faculty of The New School University and has also appeared as a guest lecturer at Harvard University. French newspaper Libération chose his Paris concert as one of the top 6 musical events of the year, hailing it as ”a concert of weightlessness, class, spark, inspiration and sharing. Magic uninterrupted… for such is the music of Etkin: sensitive to the exchange with the audience.”

Founded in the vibrant musical haven of Brussels in 2015, Azmari have been crafting a truly unique tapestry of musical exploration. Melding intricate jazz textures with intoxicating oriental influences, mesmerizing ethio grooves, enigmatic dark funk, and the pulsating beats of dub music, Azmari defies conventional labels to weave a narrative of sonic innovation and artistic liberation. Influences range from an eclectic array of artists, including Okay Temiz, Heliocentrics, Whitefield Brothers, Surprise chef, Antibalas and Sons of Kemet.