The Chill Out Tent

Curió Curió – Curió Curió

The self-titled debut album from Curió Curió is an absolute joy. Created by Rio-born, Austria-based singer and actress Luiza Monteiro and German producer Dustin Braun, it evokes the likes of legendary Brazilian artists Gal Costa and Jorge Ben Jor while sounding very now. Monteiro’s voice is one of the most elegant you will hear as she glides effortlessly from octave to octave, while never needing to show off. This is sunshine music that will make your heart soar.

---

Sofie Birch – Bivabippabualukka

Sofie Birch is a modern hero of ambient music. We have recommended her NTS radio show Ambient Abracadabra in the past, which she sees as a community-building exercise gathering and broadcasting tunes from her listeners. The new album ‘Bivabippabualukka’ subtly dips into bossa nova and jazz, while retaining a dreamy ambient tropical vibe.

---

Akusmi – Terra Incognita

Multi-instrumentalist Akusmi (aka Pascal Bideau) has created a kind of fusion of jazz and Moroccan gnawa on ‘Terra Incognita’. The list of instruments Bideau plays is indicative of the riot of colour lying in his trancey grooves. He plays: alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, flute, guitar, bass guitar, clarinet, synthesizer, marimba, adungu, dutar, dunun, balafon, sanza, zither, organ, log drum, drums, pygmy flutes, percussions, and sings some vocals. Each song kinda lulls you into gentle serenity before winding you up into a higher state of consciousness – if you allow it. Strong stuff.

---

Various – Melodies International presents Ariwa Sounds

Compilation of the month goes to a fantastic collection of tracks from Mad Professor’s label Ariwa Sounds. ‘Melodies International presents Ariwa Sounds’ does everything a record label showcase should do. There have been a lot of records on the label and while the highlights are incredibly high the quality is not always consistent. This compilation provides a gateway into Mad Professor’s vault. There have been quite a few great reggae compilations over the years. This is as good as any of them.