The Chill Out Tent

Here are four albums to look out for in January. You can hear playbacks every day at Simon The Tanner, Long Lane, Bermondsey, London.

Greg Foat & Ayo Salawu – Interstellar Fantasy

This is a space-age library music concept album from two great musicians but that description probably makes it sound too academic. It’s more of a glorious exploration of musical space using a stack of vintage synths and Salawu’s splashing cymbals and light-touch drumming to create an inter-galactic soundtrack to get lost in.

Jalen Ngonda – Come Around & Love Me

This is the debut album from Jalen Ngondo, showcasing his beautiful voice over the grooves of a classic-sounding live band. “To a stranger, I would say my music is soul/R&B, while trying to fit in the Beach Boys and the Beatles somewhere in between,” says Jalen about his music. So… That’s perfect Sunday afternoon vibes – a little nostalgia, a little melancholy but ultimately a beautiful and uplifting experience.

Resavoir – Resavoir

Resavoir is the work of Chicago-born and based musician, composer and producer Will Miller. This, their second album, feels like one part Balearic sunset music and one part dusty tape archive of a recording made deep in the woods. It appears at the same time other-worldly and strangely familiar. File somewhere near cinematic soul, bedroom beats and sunset sonatas.

Jacob Gurevitsch – El Terreno

Virtuoso guitar playing and a decidedly sunny summer vibe are what to expect on this beautiful album from Danish maestro Jacob Gurevitsch, on one of our favourite labels, Music for Dreams. Which, of course, makes it’s perfect for a rainy day in January. ‘El Terreno’ is named after an area of Mallorca where the music was written, so this is a proper Balearic record too.