Amoeba Music

Samara Joy's debut album has caused quite a stir thanks to her impressive vocals and timbre. At just age 22, she evokes classic singers like Sarah Vaughan - she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition - and delivers a rich performance on favorites like "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Can't Get Out Of This Mood." "Guess Who I Saw Today" is especially spellbinding, thanks to the wry emotion in her deep voice. "Round Midnight" is another stellar track, intense and riveting. Read more

Brazilian jazz legend Flora Purim has released her first new album in 15 years and it’s a vibrant set of jazz-fusion that will lift your spirits. If You Will includes new songs and reworked favorites, and Purim is joined on vocals by her daughter Diana Purim on the breezy title track, among others. “This Is me” offers busy percussion, a toe-tapping groove, and an effervescent chorus. “A Flor Da Vida” is a smooth, exhilarating track that feels like opening the window to greet the sun. This is a fresh-sounding, lovely new album from the 80-year-old star.

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Robert Glasper delivers another career-high album with Black Radio III. The talented pianist conjures up multi-faceted moods, with a sense of yearning and hope emerging from his assured, elegant keys. Glasper's brought some heavy hitters to the proceedings, too, with Killer Mike, Big K.R.I.T., and BJ the Chicago Kid appearing on the brilliant "Black Superhero." H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello appear on the addictive, achingly beautiful "Better Than I Imagined." Elsewhere on the album, Q-Tip, Common, Ty Dolla Sign, Esperanza Spalding, Jennifer Hudson, Yebba, and Ant Clemons make excellent contributions. Black Radio III is straight up fantastic and will probably land on many year end "best of" lists.

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