Released: October 6, 2023

Genre: Jazz / Hip-hop

From: US

Label: Concord Jazz

Why you should listen: Richmond, Virginia jazz quintet Butcher Brown are back with an expansive and immersive new album titled Solar Music, following 2020’s #KingButch and 2022’s Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey featuring Tennishu and R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND. The group has been at the forefront of some of the most emotive and textured jazz and hip-hop music over the last few years, with cohesive and incredibly sequenced albums that feel warm, organic and inviting. The 17-track album (with 3 additional edits) includes some groovy, infectious melodies, with a plethora of features that add their incredible depth and artistry to the music they’re able to create. Tracks like “I Can Say To You” featuring Vanisha Gould and “Eye Never Knew” featuring Pink Siifu and Keyon Harold are examples of the groovy, textured and soulful sound Butcher Brown have been able to master of the years, but there are quite a few upbeat and and dance-centric tracks like “MOVE (RIDE)” featuring Jay Prince, “Turismo” featuring Julia Shuren and “No Way Around It”. It’s their dynamic, textured and varied sound that makes Butcher Brown one of the most exciting and interesting jazz bands making music today. Solar Music is an exceptional body of work furthering that legacy, and one I recommend to everyone.

The album: