The Chill Out Tent

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

1 Aura Safari & Jimi Tenor – Sensory Blending

Sensory Blending is a magical musical collaboration between space jazz maestro Jimi Tenor and Italian musical experimentalists Aura Safari. The session that led to the album came after an unexpected encounter and an impromptu desire to record together. That explains the palpable feeling of joy in exploring and playing with new friends in the grooves of this record.

2 Frank & Tony – Ethos

House music doesn’t get any deeper than the house music of Frank & Tony. The duo have been making tunes together and releasing other people’s records on their New York based label  Scissor & Thread for over a decade. This album is probably the finest distillation of their deceptively simple, amazingly beautiful sound.

3 Various – The Horizon is on the Horizon

This is the first release on Delia Recordings, a new label, event series and magazine from Nottingham. This compilation showcases what they call Nottingham’s Balearic to Laurel Canyon music scene, which means it’s right up our street. Expect waves of emotional instrumentals, contemplative soundtracky moments and beautiful acoustic dub.

4 Cymande – Promised Heights

This is the third in a trilogy of albums from pioneering Black British act Cymande. And this is the 50th anniversary of its release in 1974. As children of the Windrush generation Cymande helped to forge a distinctly British take on jazz and funk, fusing their Jamaican and Guyanese roots and the sounds of the United States with their own unique experience and playing style. Oh, and yes, and it does still sound fresh 50 years on!