The Freedom Principle

The Freedom Principle Canada's longest running syndicated radio show featuring new releases of the African diaspora.

Featuring music of the African Diaspora, this program sees acoustic ensemble music as a developing world jazz incorporating styles and rhythms which draw from indigenous sources. On the air since June 1986, The Freedom Principle features new releases from the disparate genres of the African Diaspora with occasional forays into specialized thematic programs. Past programs include Manding Swing, Con

golese Rumba, Zimbabwean Liberation, South African Jazz, Mississippi Delta Slide & Moan, African Impressionism in American Jazz, etc.

Brian Charette  - (2025) Working out with Big G – SteepleChase Records Brian Charette’s Working Out with Big G finds the...
07/05/2025

Brian Charette - (2025) Working out with Big G – SteepleChase Records
Brian Charette’s Working Out with Big G finds the New York-based organist continuing his exploration of the gritty, groove-oriented side of jazz with a trio format steeped in soul-jazz tradition. Featuring legendary tenor saxophonist George Coleman—known for his seminal work with Miles Davis and his deeply rooted Memphis phrasing—the album gains a layer of historical depth that connects contemporary organ jazz to mid-century post-bop. Coleman’s presence not only bridges generations but also affirms the music’s lineage through his robust tone and lyrical sensibility. Recorded with guitarist "Big G" and drummer Jordan Young, the session draws from the lineage of 1960s East Coast Hammond B3 innovators, maintaining rhythmic ties to R&B and gospel-inflected jazz born of African American urban communities. What distinguishes this outing is Charette’s synthesis of classic soul-jazz motifs with a modern, almost mechanical precision—at times veering into the playful while maintaining the weight of the genre’s deeper roots. The album’s tonal palette, anchored by the unmistakable warmth of the organ, asserts its place within the sonic geography of New York’s hard bop and funkier offshoots. This recording affirms the genre’s adaptability, preserving its heritage while subtly recalibrating its phrasing for today’s ears.

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesMarmaduke · Brian Charette · Charlie ParkerWorking out with Big G℗ 2025 SteepleChase Productions ApSReleased on...

Choro Amoroso - (2025) Amoroso Sessions - Blue Cave RecordsChoro Amoroso’s Amoroso Sessions on Blue Cave Records situate...
07/05/2025

Choro Amoroso - (2025) Amoroso Sessions - Blue Cave Records
Choro Amoroso’s Amoroso Sessions on Blue Cave Records situates the Minas Gerais ensemble—formed in Belo Horizonte in 2018—at the crossroads of traditional choro instrumentation (cavaquinho, 7 string violão, flute/clarinet, pandeiro, and bass) and contemporary improvisational ethos. Anchored by Túlio Araújo, Bruno Teixeira, Pablo Dias and Augusto Cordeiro, the recording distinguishes itself by injecting subtle, blues-inflected phrasing into the choro form, reinforcing the genre’s roots in the African diaspora through call and response melodies and syncopated rhythms. The session’s geographical voice—echoing the streets of Belo Horizonte—makes it feel unmistakably true to the regional style, yet the ensemble’s delicate re-harmonisations and fluid ensemble interplay push it beyond more orthodox fare. This balance of fidelity and forward motion aligns the release with deeper Afro-Brazilian musical threads, while reaffirming the genre’s capacity for lyrical invention without departing from its Minas heartland.

Brazilian instrumental group Choro Amoroso performing live "À Queima Roupa" by Eduardo Neves & Rodrigo Lessa, at project.---Mix & Master: ...

Cimarons  - (2025) Harder Than The Rock -  MUSIC Cimarons’ Harder Than The Rock, released 13 June 2025, channels the spi...
07/05/2025

Cimarons - (2025) Harder Than The Rock - MUSIC
Cimarons’ Harder Than The Rock, released 13 June 2025, channels the spirit of the UK’s first indigenous reggae band—rooted in London yet retaining its deep Jamaican heritage—with instrumentation of bass, drums, guitar, organ, horns and percussion under the leadership of founders Locksley Gichie and Franklyn Dunn alongside new lead singer Michael Arkk. Recorded with Spanish musicians and producer Roberto Sánchez, the album revives classic tracks like “Ship Took Us Away” and “Morning Sun” through refreshed arrangements that honour their 1970s roots while adding contemporary polish. What sets this release apart is its organic ensemble interplay and reverent yet dynamic reinterpretations: subtle flute, nyabinghi percussion and shimmering vintage organ offer warmth distinct from more chrome-finished reggae productions. One can hear the pulse of Harlesden in every rhythmic turn, affirming that this is modern roots reggae born of early Black British soil. Furthermore, the Cimarons’ bass-heavy grooves and spiritually inflected arrangements echo the call-and-response sensibility of the African diaspora, grounding the record in a broader musical lineage.

https://www.youtube.com/user/reggaeville https://www.instagram.com/reggaeville https://www.tiktok.com/ https://www.facebook.com/reggaeville https...

 Fearon  - (2025) Jah Is Love -  Digital Chill Clinton Fearon’s Jah Is Love, recorded with his long standing Riddim Sour...
07/05/2025

Fearon - (2025) Jah Is Love - Digital Chill
Clinton Fearon’s Jah Is Love, recorded with his long standing Riddim Source band and released on 6 June 2025, reconfirms the Jamaican Seattle reggae veteran’s deep roots in roots reggae tradition. Born in St Andrew Parish near Kingston and later a mainstay of The Gladiators before relocating to Seattle in 1987, Fearon draws on his bass driven reggae heritage and spiritual lyricism—elements present in earlier works from Studio One and Black Ark sessions. The album stands apart through its clarity of production and mature songwriting: instead of lush overdubs, the arrangements foreground acoustic guitar, emotive vocals and warm horn touches that nod to jazz phrasing without stepping fully into jazz territory. A track like “It Go So” uses subtle syncopation and melodic space to recall the improvisational arcs of the African diaspora. This recording sounds every bit the Jamaican roots reggae it claims to be, its rhythms and cadences echoing island air even as it resonates globally.

Music video created by Baco Studio.Directed, shot and cut by Maxime Rey.Color grading by Alexandre Sorin.Song written and composed by Clinton Fearon.Performe...

Danzón El Gato - (2025) El sonido Bastardo (Spain) - Lovemonk Discos BuenosDanzón El Gato’s El sonido bastardo marks a s...
07/05/2025

Danzón El Gato - (2025) El sonido Bastardo (Spain) - Lovemonk Discos Buenos
Danzón El Gato’s El sonido bastardo marks a spirited debut from the Madrid-based ensemble, weaving together elements of jazz-funk, Afro-Latin rhythms, and psych-inflected grooves into a distinctly urban sonic tapestry. The group, comprising drums, bass, horns, guitar, and occasional North African textures, draws heavily on the rhythmic foundations of the African diaspora while nodding toward the cinematic flair of 1970s library music and the sampling ethos of early hip-hop. Tracks like “Twangy Morocco” exemplify their hybrid approach, blending reverb-soaked guitar with modal horn lines that echo both Mediterranean and Afro-Caribbean phrasing. What sets the album apart is its refusal to settle within any strict stylistic boundary, reflecting Madrid’s historical position as a cultural crossroads. While the instrumentation and rhythm section firmly root the band in global jazz traditions, El sonido bastardo pulses with a local energy—evoking the texture of a city that absorbs and reconfigures its influences with quiet confidence.

Provided to YouTube by ONErpmChapoteo · Danzón El Gato · Javier Adán · Santiago RapalloEl sonido bastardo℗ Lovemonk Discos BuenosReleased on: 2025-04-04Auto-...

Grupo Pilon  - (2025) Nu Sta li - El Palmas Music Grupo Pilón’s Nu Sta Li arrives from Luxembourg—but with its roots fir...
07/05/2025

Grupo Pilon - (2025) Nu Sta li - El Palmas Music
Grupo Pilón’s Nu Sta Li arrives from Luxembourg—but with its roots firmly anchored in Cape Verde’s Santiago Island funaná tradition—revitalising the accordion-and-ferrinho rhythmic foundation with drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals under the steady leadership of Tony Furtado Gomes. The album stands out by balancing cultural preservation with contemporary flair, its eight tracks shaped by decades of touring and live energy, including a landmark 4,000 person concert in Praia. What sets Nu Sta Li apart from other funaná recordings is its polished ensemble interplay and global resonance—French language liner notes and European production coexisting with unmistakable African Atlantic grooves. One can almost hear the westward breeze of Praia in the opening drums, affirming that this is truly modern funaná born of Cape Verde’s diaspora.

Provided to YouTube by Ditto MusicManuela · Grupo PilonNu Sta li℗ El Palmas MusicReleased on: 2025-06-13Music Director: Ambrosio Borges GomesPercussion: Furt...

Ilkka Arola  Sound Tagine - (2025) Adventures in the Now - Flame Jazz Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine’s Adventures in the Now (...
07/05/2025

Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine - (2025) Adventures in the Now - Flame Jazz
Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine’s Adventures in the Now (released March 2025 on Flame Jazz Records) finds the Finland based quintet led by trumpeter Ilkka Arola exploring a fusion of psychedelic ethno jazz and 1970s Turkish funk, recorded live in Helsinki to capture the immediacy of improvisational interplay. Featuring Arola on quarter tone trumpet and bouzouki alongside electric guitar, synth bass, percussion and drums, the ensemble firmly plants its roots in both the Nordic jazz scene and Middle Eastern tonalities, with microtonal lines and dance floor rhythms weaving together acoustic and electronic textures. What distinguishes the album from other world jazz outings is its seamless melding of visual, cinematic narrative with live energy spontaneity—each track feels like a journey yet never drifts from its rhythmic core. Arola’s trumpet and bouzouki converse over grooves that pulse with Mediterranean sun, affirming that this music truly represents Finnish rooted global jazz. The record also reflects African diaspora connections, its hypnotic syncopation and funk driven grooves echoing diasporic improvisational strands, while remaining unmistakably anchored in Helsinki’s vibrant studio scene.

IIlkka Arola Sound Tagine - Ice Cream IsLife is really like an ice cream - it tastes better if you pay attention to the flavors. “Ice Cream Is” is a tasty da...

Larry McCray  - (2025) Heartbreak City - KTBA Records Larry McCray’s Heartbreak City, released 13 June 2025 via KTBA Rec...
07/05/2025

Larry McCray - (2025) Heartbreak City - KTBA Records
Larry McCray’s Heartbreak City, released 13 June 2025 via KTBA Records, finds the Arkansas-born, Michigan-raised bluesman operating in the blues-rock tradition with an ensemble featuring guitar, drums, bass, keys, horns, and backing vocals—a setup rooted in both Delta heritage and Detroit’s soul-blues lineage. Tracks such as the title cut and “Bye Bye Blues” stand out with guitar phrasing that harks back to B.B. King and Little Milton, while a New Orleans-inflected shuffle on “Heartbreak City” confirms this is contemporary blues born of Southern and Rust Belt soil youtube.com+10bluesrockreview.com+10shop.ktbarecords.com+10. What sets this album apart is its seamless fusion of traditional blues grit and mature soul dynamics—each of the ten originals balances heartfelt storytelling with textural arrangements and dynamic guitar leads that rise without posturing . McCray’s melodic sensibility, echoing the call-and-response tradition central to the African diaspora, threads through gospel-tinged harmonies and rhythmic interplay, reminding listeners that the blues remains a living dialogue across generations.

Hey hey blues fans, your number one Bluesman is back with new a song and album! My track "Bye Bye Blues" is out now, and I am excited to announce you all can...

Madalitso Band  - (2025) Ma Gitala -  Disques Bongo Joe Madalitso Band’s Ma Gitala, released 13 June 2025 on Bongo Joe, ...
07/05/2025

Madalitso Band - (2025) Ma Gitala - Disques Bongo Joe
Madalitso Band’s Ma Gitala, released 13 June 2025 on Bongo Joe, presents the Lilongwe-based Malawian duo of Yobu Maligwa and Yosefe Kalekeni in a studio setting that preserves the raw energy of their street performances, while layering in subtle arrangements and guest vocals. Instrumentation remains minimal—babatoni (a one-string slide bass), guitar, foot-drum and interwoven vocals—yet the record’s pulsing banjo-driven rhythms, gospel-inflected call-and-response, and occasional thumb-piano and saxophone touch bring new depth. What sets Ma Gitala apart is its ability to retain an acoustic trance-like quality while expanding its textures through layered vocal harmonies and playful percussion, suggesting both continuity and evolution within Malawian roots music. One can hear the warm hum of Lilongwe’s streets in every riff and stomp, quietly affirming that this is contemporary Malawian afrobeat born of its home soil. The duo’s interplay and rhythmic insistence echo broader African diaspora traditions—connecting folk instruments and gospel sensibility with the communal pulse central to so much diasporic music.

Madalitso Band are back with their third album - Ma Gitala - out June 13th on Les Disques Bongo Joe. Capturing all the vibrant energy of the band's live show...

Sonoras Mil  - (2025) Dicen que la Muerte murió (Colombia) – independienteBandcamp: https://sonorasmil.bandcamp.com/albu...
07/05/2025

Sonoras Mil - (2025) Dicen que la Muerte murió (Colombia) – independiente
Bandcamp: https://sonorasmil.bandcamp.com/album/dicen-que-la-muerte-muri-2
Sonoras Mil’s Dicen que la Muerte murió, hailing from Pereira, Colombia, presents an expansive ten track journey rooted in Latin funk, tropical psychedelia and experimental rock, underpinned by a full band of percussion (congas, timbales), bass, guitar, Rhodes/synth and saxophone. Recorded across Bogotá, Brooklyn and Medellín between 2023 and 2024, the EP explores Afro Latin and Caribbean grooves alongside jungle shaded rock and dub textures, connecting firmly with rhythms of the African diaspora through layered syncopation and collective vocal interplay . What sets this release apart is its seamless integration of punk tinged attitude and trip hop atmospheres with classic tropical and salsa chant, giving tracks like “Dicen que la Muerte murió” a nostalgic yet forward leaning edge. One feels the Colombian heat in every groove, confirming that this is experimental Latin music born of Pereira’s vibrant scene. The group’s instrumentation and compositional approach position them at the forefront of Colombia’s post rock fusion wave, asserting a distinctive voice within the sub genre.

Filmed by https://www.instagram.com/flowtograma/ Directed by: Felipe Gómez Ossa, Anacaona Flores, Mauricio Gómez Ossa.Art direction: Mauricio ...

The LAST POETS  - (2025) Africanism - Africa Seven The Last Poets’ Africanism positions the Harlem-born duo Abiodun Oyew...
07/05/2025

The LAST POETS - (2025) Africanism - Africa Seven
The Last Poets’ Africanism positions the Harlem-born duo Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan at the intersection of political spoken word, Nigerian Afrobeat, and progressive jazz, backed by Tony Allen’s signature polyrhythms and contributions from UK jazz luminaries including Courtney Pine and Joe Armon Jones. The instrumentation—drums, bass, horns, keys—adds live texture without overshadowing the Poets’ incendiary verses, preserving the stark spoken word ethos they helped pioneer in late 60s New York. Tracks like “This Is Madness” pulse with Afrobeat and jazz-fusion interplay, creating a dialogue between Harlem’s revolutionary roots and Lagos inspired groove. What sets Africanism apart is its organic fusion: no samples, just live musicians responding in real time to the Poets’ voice, granting the record a raw immediacy that distinguishes it from more polished fusion projects. This is unmistakably an album from Harlem’s tradition of resistance and rhythm, its cadence affirming that the political poetry born of the African diaspora still commands presence.

Experience the profound legacy of The Last Poets with their powerful new release, "Africanism", available now. Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan revisit an...

The Mighty Mocambos  - (2025) A Higher Frequency - Mocambo RecordsThe Mighty Mocambos’ A Higher Frequency is a crisp tes...
07/05/2025

The Mighty Mocambos - (2025) A Higher Frequency - Mocambo Records
The Mighty Mocambos’ A Higher Frequency is a crisp testament to Hamburg’s deep-funk pedigree, recorded live to tape at the legendary MPS Studio in Germany’s Black Forest with a nine-piece ensemble. Anchored by drums, bass, guitar, brass, flute, clavinet, organ and even a Thai phin, the instrumentation bridges classic funk, soulful jazz, psychedelic library textures and subtle global accents. What sets this release apart is its analog clarity and live-room interplay—every breakbeat and horn line breathes, shifting dynamically underpinned by the warmth of vintage gear. Tracks such as “Get Loose” lean into a Blue Note-style jazz-funk groove while “Phantom Power” integrates diasporic resonance through rhythmic syncopation and world-inflected timbres. One feels the pulse of Hamburg’s funk culture in every propulsive rhythm and punchy horn stab, confirming that this is unpretentious, city-rooted global funk with an ear tuned to jazz and the African diaspora.

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesGet Loose · The Mighty Mocambos · Bjoern Wagner · Bernhard Huemmer · Sebastian Drescher · Nichola RichardsA Hig...

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