Cast the Dice

15/07/2025

We’re big fans of Steiger, whose last album, The New Lady Llama, was one of our Album Picks of 2021 and remains an active favourite. So we’re over the moon to know that the Ghent trio of keyboardist Gilles Vandecaveye, bassist Kobe Boon and drummer Simon Raman are gearing to release a new album later this year titled Mowglowski’s First Take. (...)
https://castthedice.org/?p=22981

14/07/2025

With her highly anticipated ninth album A Danger to Ourselves arriving in just under two months, Lucrecia Dalt has shared the third single from the album, ‘caes’, a dense and thunderous piece featuring the evocative voice of Mexican sound artist Camille Mandoki. Dalt cites Ana Mendieta and Evelyn McHale as poetic inspirations, (...)

With her highly anticipated ninth album A Danger to Ourselves arriving in just under two months, Lucrecia Dalt has shared the third single from the album, ‘caes’, a dense and thunderous…

10/07/2025

It’s been over a decade since Mulatu Astatke released a full-length studio album. Lucky for us, this September, he returns with Mulatu Plays Mulatu, a new record set for release on September 26th through Strut. The album revisits and reworks key pieces from across his career, offering new arrangements that reflect both his musical evolution and enduring vision. Known as the father of Ethio-jazz, (...)

It’s been over a decade since Mulatu Astatke released a full-length studio album. Lucky for us, this September, he returns with Mulatu Plays Mulatu, a new record set for release on September 26th t…

08/07/2025

There’s exciting news from Aki Rissanen, who has just announced his new album Imaginary Mountains. The talented and accomplished Finnish pianist and composer is pushing his piano trio into a rawer, more rhythm-focused, and emotionally honest territory. (...)

There’s exciting news from Aki Rissanen, who has just announced his new album Imaginary Mountains. The talented and accomplished Finnish pianist and composer is pushing his piano trio into a …

08/07/2025

We’re thrilled to hear that Chip Wickham is back with a new album, The Eternal Now, arriving on September 5th through Gondwana Records. Led by the rich, expressive voice of his flute and co-produced by Matthew Halsall, this is Wickham’s most rhythm-forward record yet. (...)

We’re thrilled to hear that Chip Wickham is back with a new album, The Eternal Now, arriving on September 5th through Gondwana Records. Led by the rich, expressive voice of his flute and co-produce…

04/07/2025

Swedish collective Pink Butter are set to release their debut EP Can We Go Back on August 1st through DeepMatter Records. Known for their live, improvisational approach, the outfit of Oskar Bettinsoli (guitar), Björn Lehnert (keys), Malte Bergman (bass), and John Bjurström (drums) blends jazz, hip-hop, and soul into a sound that feels both fluid and groove-focused.(...)

Swedish collective Pink Butter are set to release their debut EP Can We Go Back on August 1st through DeepMatter Records. Known for their live, improvisational approach, the outfit of Oskar Bettins…

03/07/2025

Last month, Mansur Brown announced the release of a new album, Rihla, and enticed us then with the first single, ‘Alone‘. Now the Brixton-born guitarist, producer, and composer has shared a second cut, ‘Faded’, and it hits with a different kind of energy. Drawing heavily from jungle and drum and bass, (...)

Last month, Mansur Brown announced the release of a new album, Rihla, and enticed us then with the first single, ‘Alone’. Now the Brixton-born guitarist, producer, and composer has shar…

01/07/2025

Chicago Underground Duo, the long-standing project of composer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Mazurek and composer and percussionist Chad Taylor, have announced their return with a new album. Titled Hyperglyph, the record lands on August 15th through International Anthem and marks their first release in over a decade. (...)

Chicago Underground Duo, the long-standing project of composer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Mazurek and composer and percussionist Chad Taylor, have announced their return with a new album. Titled…

01/07/2025

Guitarist and composer Max Walker Music took us by surprise earlier this year, when his magnificent second album Chronostasis made its way to our ears, and we’ve been under his spell ever since. Intricate and emotionally resonant, the record is a bold reflection on his relocation from Seattle to LA, brimming with dazzling guitar work, a strong sense of rhythm and rich ensemble interplay. A student of jazz and rock in equal measure, Walker also draws from the legacy of guitar greats like Allan Holdsworth and Tim Miller, while carving out a sound entirely his own. So we’re beyond excited to have him take the reins of this month’s mixtape, packed with gems that inspire his singular voice. Press play and enjoy!

Donny McCaslin – Stadium Jazz [Greenleaf Music] Tim Miller – Lift John Escreet – He Who Dares [Whirlwind Recordings] Allan Holdsworth – Above and Below [Polydor / CREAM Reco…

28/06/2025

Last month, KAU hinted at their next album with ‘dive_deep‘. Now the Brussels-based trio of Andre Breidlid (drums), Matteo Genovese (bass) and Jan Janzen (keys) has officially announced Unknown Waveforms, due on October 10th through Sdban Ultra. Drawing from jazz, hip hop, and electronic influences, (...)

Last month, KAU hinted at their next album with ‘dive_deep’. Now the Brussels-based trio of Andre Breidlid (drums), Matteo Genovese (bass) and Jan Janzen (keys) has officially announced…

26/06/2025

Maqām Records, a newly launched label from trumpeter, composer, santur player and vocalist Amir ElSaffar, opens its doors with a release of rare weight: Maqam Al-Ira, the first recording in over two decades from legendary Iraqi singer Hamid Al-Saadi, considered the only living master of the complete Iraqi Maqam repertoire. Out later this year, Maqam Al-Iraq brings together four long-form maqams, each followed by a pesteh, a rhythmic, communal counterpart. (...)

Maqām Records, a newly launched label from trumpeter, composer, santur player and vocalist Amir ElSaffar, opens its doors with a release of rare weight: Maqam Al-Ira, the first recording in over tw…

26/06/2025

Rooted in Rotterdam’s fertile cross-section of club culture and improvised music, keyboardist, composer and producer Anton de Bruin has been carving out a name through projects like Dragonfruit and Peter Somuah, and recent appearances at North Sea Jazz and Valkhof. With his label Sundown Recordings, he’s also been instrumental in pushing late-night events where bands perform like DJs, redefining what live music can be on the dancefloor. (...)

Rooted in Rotterdam’s fertile cross-section of club culture and improvised music, keyboardist, composer and producer Anton de Bruin has been carving out a name through projects like Dragonfruit and…