Blue Earth Sound shares final single ‘On the Court’ ahead of debut album ‘Cicero Nights’
Listen to ‘On the Court’ on all platforms. Pre-order the LP
Chicago-based bassist and composer James Weir, aka Blue Earth Sound, unveils On The Court — the final single before the arrival of his debut LP Cicero Nights, out September 12th on Root Records.
Drawing inspiration from the Hoop Dreams soundtrack, On The Court pairs a boom-bap beat with radiant horns, smoky wah-pedal guitars, and a haze of Wurlitzer keys. The result is a soulful, horn-driven groove that captures both the grit of the basketball court and the warmth of 70s jazz-funk. It’s a track that feels instantly familiar, yet full of character — bridging jazz tradition with a modern, sample-ready sensibility.
With Cicero Nights, Blue Earth Sound offers a late-night jazz journey steeped in Chicago soul, brass-heavy arrangements, and deep grooves. Following singles Lover’s Rock and Half & Half, On The Court provides a final glimpse into an album built for golden-hour listening — cinematic in scope, but rooted in groove.
Cicero Nights drops September 12th via Root Records.
The Offline announces new album ‘La grande évasion’ + shares lead single ‘Boulevard National’
The Offline announces new album ‘La grande évasion’ with new track '‘Boulevard National’. Pre-order the LP
Hamburg-based producer and multi-instrumentalist The Offline has announced his brand new album, La grande évasion, set for release later this November via DeepMatter Records. Alongside the announcement, he shares the project’s lead single, Boulevard National, complete with a new video to bring the track’s atmosphere to life.
Boulevard National offers the first glimpse into the world of La grande évasion: a widescreen, cinematic cut that fuses hip-hop’s head-nod swing with rich jazz harmony and atmospheric textures. Built on hypnotic grooves and layered instrumentation, the track captures The Offline’s signature ability to create soundscapes that are as immersive as they are rhythmically compelling. The single arrives with a video which offers a visual escape into the moods and motifs that drive the record.
With La grande évasion, The Offline continues his exploration of instrumental storytelling — blending hazy nostalgia with forward-looking production to deliver a record that feels timeless yet contemporary. Available on black or transparent violet vinyl, the album promises to be one of the most evocative releases in the DeepMatter / Root Records catalog to date.
SHOLTO unveils new single ‘Persephone’s Perception’ — a myth-soaked groove from forthcoming album ‘The Sirens’
SHOLTO announces new album ‘The Sirens’, with ‘Persephone’s Perception’. Pre-order the LP
Cinematic jazz visionary SHOLTO returns with ‘Persephone’s Perception’, the first single from his upcoming album ‘The Sirens’ — out 21st November via DeepMatter Records.
Rooted in Greek mythology, ‘Persephone’s Perception’ flips the classic tale on its head — reframing the goddess’s descent into the underworld not as a tragedy, but a deliberate embrace of transformation. Musically, it blends low-slung bass and rolling drums with shimmering strings and harp — anchored by SHOLTO’s signature cinematic production and rhythmic sensibility. It’s hypnotic, mythological jazz-fusion that blurs the line between groove and storytelling.
Built in SHOLTO’s SFJ studio in Hackney, the track reunites his core ensemble of collaborators: Syd Kemp on bass, Clementine Brown on strings, and Rachel Horton Kitchlew on harp. The result is a sound that feels both ancient and futuristic — library music for a fever dream — setting the tone for the album’s exploration of temptation, surrender, and emotional duality.
Following support from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Deb Grant, Jyoty, and Huey Morgan, SHOLTO continues to carve out his own space in the world of contemporary cinematic psychedelia. ‘Persephone’s Perception’ is a bold first glimpse into ‘The Sirens’, revealing an artist leaning into deeper emotional terrain while retaining the rich textures and groove-rooted soundscapes that have defined his ascent.
‘Persephone’s Perception’ is out now. Stream it everywhere + pre-order on 12” vinyl.
Devra returns with new single ‘Mill Street Samba’ featuring Paul Grant
Listen to the ‘Mill Street Samba’ (ft. Paul Grant) now
Italian drummer, composer and producer Devra returns with a vibrant new single titled ‘Mill Street Samba’, featuring acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Paul Grant. Released via Root Records, the track blends modern jazz, samba, and soulful grooves into an uplifting and rhythmically rich listen.
The first track in a new era, the upbeat tones of ‘Mill Street Samba’ come at the perfect time to soundtrack the heat of August, with infectious synth work combining with swung grooves, fluctuating between sun-kissed samba and bossa before transforming into a hip-hop shuffle. Devra shares: “The vibe is kind of modern samba-meets-jazz, but filtered through our own palette. Paul had the original idea — I reworked the rhythm and melody, then developed the arrangement together with Andrea Ragnoli (my go-to guy for synths and keys).”
This release follows his breakthrough self-titled ‘Devra’ EP, which found widespread support in the UK across Jazz FM and Soho Radio, as well as being backed domestically in Italy by coveted youth culture site DLSO and DJs including Alessio Bertallot. The EP was praised for its fusion of Roy Hargrove-esque contemporary jazz with hip-hop sensibilities and a neo-soul swagger.
Originally from Vicenza, Italy, Fabio De Angelis made a name for himself as a session drummer in his native country, collaborating with several artists on the national scene across the worlds of jazz, pop, indie and electronic music. Musically raised in the underground scene, he has steadily made his way with quiet determination, earning the trust of many key figures in the Italian music landscape. Over the years, he has performed and recorded with the likes of Ghemon, Joan Thiele, Hu, and Elodie, as well as with iconic jazz musicians such as Ares Tavolazzi, Robert Bonisolo, and Pietro Tonolo.
Pink Butter Deliver Raw, Soulful Debut EP Can We Go Back
Listen to the debut EP ‘Can We Go Back’ from Swedish collective Pink Butter
Swedish outfit Pink Butter make a powerful first statement with their debut EP Can We Go Back, out now via DeepMatter Records. Rooted in live performance and spontaneous creativity, the four-piece collective blends the timeless feel of jazz improvisation with the grit and soul of contemporary hip-hop and R&B.
Consisting of Oskar Bettinsoli (guitar), Björn Lehnert (keys), Malte Bergman (bass), and John Bjurström (drums), Pink Butter made this record the old-school way: jamming live in the studio, capturing real energy and real moments. Their debut EP is a warm, groove-heavy reflection on uncertainty, presence, and connection — both musically and emotionally.
The project opens with ‘Made For Me’, a neo-soul slow jam featuring Jermaine Holmes, best known for his role in D’Angelo’s live band. His vocals drift over lush guitar textures and rich harmony, setting the tone for what’s to come.
Title track ‘Can We Go Back’ brings in T3 of Slum Village, whose unmistakable flow glides over dusty drums and dreamy keys — a seamless meeting of Dilla-inspired hip-hop and organic musicianship. ‘Alright’ features Joanné Nugas, whose tender delivery and lyrical message of hope shine through Pink Butter’s laid-back instrumental. A soft piano line and languid bass give the song space to breathe — the kind of tune made for late-night reflection. ‘U’, a standout collaboration with Venus Anon and Jermaine Holmes. It’s a bass-heavy, soul-infused cut with emotionally raw vocals, expressive harmonies, and deep groove — a love song that feels as vulnerable as it is powerful.
Across all tracks, Can We Go Back showcases Pink Butter’s ability to bridge eras and genres: classic yet modern, structured yet free. It’s a bold debut from a band rooted in live energy and collaborative spirit — music made by real people, in real time, for real connection.
Jerk releases ‘dance beneath the dripping moon’ – the first single from new EP 'as night falls'
Listen to the new single + pre-order the EP ‘as night falls’
Prolific Brooklyn-based producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Jerk returns with the first part of a two-EP narrative cycle, unveiling as night falls. This project pushes their sound into new territory — a journey through a single night, exploring the darker side of human nature through a fusion of electronic influences, midnight funk, and forward-thinking jazz.
No stranger to blurring lines — between genres, moods, and the light and the dark — Jerk offers the first glimpse of the record with ‘dance beneath the dripping moon’. Built on a slow-funk groove, the track feels unhurried, like a conversation that lingers long past midnight. Psychedelic guitar lines curl in and out of syrupy bass, while the drums — courtesy of longtime collaborator Martine Wade — lock the whole thing into a deep, head-nodding pocket. There’s a sensual warmth to it, but also something ghostly at the edges, like shadows flickering in the corner of your eye.
Jerk cites The Isley Brothers and Eddie Hazel as touchpoints, and that lineage is clear in the song’s rich, immersive sound. But this isn’t a retro exercise — it’s a living, breathing track, infused with their ear for texture and space. Every note feels intentional, yet loose enough to let the music breathe.
As the opening chapter of as night falls, ‘dance beneath the dripping moon’ sets the tone for an EP that promises to be as cinematic as it is soulful — music for night walks, slow drives, and moments when the world falls away.
Ria Moran Finds Emotional Clarity on Debut Album ‘Cubico’
Stream + buy the LP now
London-based alt-soul singer-songwriter Ria Moran has released her long-anticipated debut album, ‘Cubico’, via DeepMatter Records, a deeply introspective and emotionally rich collection that signals a bold new phase in her musical journey.
Best known for her collaborations with the likes of Nubiyan Twist, Daniel Casimir, and Gotts Street Park, Cubico sees Ria stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, crafting a body of work that is as personal as it is sonically adventurous. Created in close collaboration with producer Tom Excell (Ego Ella May, Nubiyan Twist), the album finds its footing in neo-soul, alternative R&B, and subtle electronic textures — all elevated by Ria’s unmistakable vocal warmth and lyrical depth.
Across 11 tracks, Cubico reads like a therapy journal. It explores themes of self-care, trauma, love, and human connection, drawing influence from the writing of Gabor Maté and Ria’s own experiences in psychotherapy. On the album’s opening track “Slow Breathing”, shimmering guitars and a laid-back hip-hop groove sit beneath lyrics exploring the physical manifestations of anxiety — a theme that reappears throughout the record, especially on the haunting “Automatic” and the dreamy, bittersweet “No Reason (Ode to You)”.
Speaking on the project, Ria describes Cubico as her most honest and emotionally revealing work to date: “I wanted the album to feel authentic to me and my experiences, without fear of exploration... It takes listeners down a few different paths, but at its core, it’s always about feeling something real.”
The record’s sonic palette is beautifully varied, moving from lush, bass-driven R&B to raw, lo-fi moments of introspection. Ria’s background as an instrumentalist comes through in her detailed arrangements, with looping progressions and subtle rhythmic shifts adding depth to every track. A standout team of collaborators, including Luke Wynter, Tal Janes, and Lewis Moody, bring further richness to the sound without ever overshadowing its emotional heart.
With previous support from BBC Introducing, Worldwide FM, and BBC Radio 6 Music, and her debut EP Moving Into The Light amassing over a million streams, Cubico feels like a natural yet elevated progression — proof that Ria Moran isn’t just a voice in the room, but a storyteller with something vital to say.
Jr. Thomas & Eraserhood Sound — Can’t Leave You Alone
Listen to ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’ + pre-order ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’
Best known for his work in Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, Minnesota singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jr. Thomas returns with a collaboration that pays homage to the golden era of soul music. Teaming up with Philadelphia production duo Maxwell Perla & Vincent John - AKA Eraserhood Sound - he’s proud to announce his new album ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ with the lead single ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’, out now via DeepMatter Records.
A project that began with a songbook of tunes Thomas had been working on alone, ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’ came together through the magic of collaboration, and Thomas’ drive to find the perfect musicians and studio combination to fulfil his vision. After hearing Eraserhood’s work with Kendra Morris, Angelo Outlaw, and Say She She, he knew he’d found the perfect match: “The Eraserhood sessions were fuelled by focus, hard work, and pure determination. In the late summer of 2023, I approached Vince and Max from Eraserhood with the vision of making an album—despite not having a single song written. We booked a winter session, and I spent the next four months writing.”
Fast forward a few months, and Thomas flew out to Philadelphia alongside his confidant on keys, Raynier Jacildo (The Volcanos, The Black Keys)for 4-days in Eraserhood’s Philly studio - formerly owned and purpose-built by Questlove. The results of working in a studio rich with history are clear when listening to ‘Jr. Thomas in the Eraserhood’. An authentic, analog-focused take on soul music, it pays respect to the genre whilst joining a growing movement that seeks to bring the uplifting energy of the music to a new generation of listeners, sitting alongside the likes of Jalen Ngonda, Thee Sacred Souls and Pale Jay.
The lead single from the record ‘Can’t Leave You Alone’ is a sunshine-ready, groove-laden cut that sees Thomas reflect on his younger self’s mishandling of relationships, and the madness that can be fuelled by love. The musicianship on the track stands out, with Eraserhood’s Vincent John’s percussive guitar playing paired with beautiful piano work from Raynier Jacindo. “Can’t Leave You Alone came together quickly, which is usually a good sign that it’s going to be a solid tune. I first demoed it in a stripped-down version with just guitar and bass for Vincent, Maxwell, and Raynier, giving them space to interpret it in their own way and expand where they felt inspired. I love how Maxwell brings the dance into the groove, while Raynier’s beautiful octave work on the piano and Vincent’s guitar performance is something I can’t get enough of.”
The single sets the lyrical tone for the album, which is introspective, digging into Thomas’ reflections and lessons learned from his younger self. Across the 9-track run, he explores the mishandling of relationships and the effects of intoxication – be it from love or alcohol – whilst also handling themes of addiction and loss with a sensitivity and maturity that can only come from a life of experience and decades of learning. “Life of the Party reflects on the years I spent drinking and using, capturing the search for something deeper in the depths of addiction. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see those experiences as a source of inspiration.”
Blue Earth Sound - Mariposa
‘Mariposa’ is out now. Pre-order ‘Cicero Nights’
Adding to the already rich tapestry of jazz-leaning experimental music out of Chicago, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer James Weir is set to share his first project as Blue Earth Sound — announcing it with the albums first offering, 'Mariposa'
Out on Friday 19th September via Root Records, ‘Cicero Nights’ consists of eight immersive and transportive instrumentals that manage to evoke both the neon-lit haze of late city nights, and the meditative atmosphere of sunlit daytime strolls, all through the lens of organic, cinematic instrumentals.
Created at the International Anthem warehouse under the guidance of in-house engineer Dave Vettraino, ‘Cicero Nights’ came out of a period of soul-searching for James, journeying to find a musical outlet to reflect where he was in life, whilst also bolstering his songwriting skills. His musical life up to this point had been spent playing in rock groups – firstly as bassist for influential post-punk outfit NE-HI, before later joining synth-rock group Spun Out. He shares: “My earlier bands were inspired by what I fell in love with between 16-21. Subconsciously, a lot of the writing was about energy, angst, and partying. I wanted to make music inspired by life experiences and the music I fell in love with in my late 20s/early 30s - 70s Chicago jazz and soul, Talk Talk, Japanese jazz and Italian soundtrack composers like Stefano Torossi.
To achieve his goals and create music that felt like an authentic representation of his eclectic taste and love of collaboration, he took the first step and bought a piano. What started as an intellectual exercise–to take piano more seriously and to learn the mechanisms behind composing—turned into an intuitiveness that guided his songwriting: “After I bought a piano and put it in my basement in Humboldt Park, it turned out my neighbour Patch Romanowski was a drummer” says Weir. “We developed this chemistry and would play in the basement together. That gave me a big step forward with my relationship to writing on the piano.” One of the earliest ideas eventually became the opener and lead single ‘Mariposa’, with its bright piano chords, pastoral arrangement, and shuffling groove.
Introducing, Pink Butter
Listen to the debut single ‘Can We Go Back’ feat. T3 of Slum Village now
We’re extremely excited to welcome Pink Butter to the DeepMatter family — a Swedish collective of four musicians: guitarist Oskar Bettinsoli, keyboardist Björn Lehnert, bassist Malte Bergman, and drummer John Bjurström. Today, we introduce you to them with their debut single, ‘Can We Go Back’, ft T3 of Slum Village.
Lifted from their forthcoming debut EP ‘Can We Go Back’ — the track is deeply influenced by J Dilla and the raw, transportive sound of ’90s hip-hop, and features legendary rapper T-3 (from Slum Village). His signature flow weaves seamlessly through Pink Butter’s improvisational magic, making this track a celebration of both classic hip-hop and live musicianship. Questioning the current state of the world, the track reflects on the feeling of being stuck at a dark station, uncertain whether better days lie ahead or behind. The single’s ethos encourages focusing on the present and cherishing what’s good.
Set to release their debut EP ‘Can We Go Back’ on 1st August 2025, via DeepMatter— the EP features collaborations with groundbreaking artists such as T3 of Slum Village and Jermaine Holmes (D'Angelo), it weaves together a collage of each member’s musical history, blending their individual influences into a bold collective vision. Their music is a testament to the idea that the power of spontaneous, live creation is timeless, whether in a jazz jam session or a contemporary hip-hop track.
They expand: “We made our songs by simply playing together live in the studio, giving as much of ourselves as possible to the music,” the band explains. “In an age where digital perfection is easy to achieve, we chose to embrace the human side of music. It’s about capturing the raw energy of the moment—just like the jazz records we love—but infused with the modern collaboration and vibe of today’s hip-hop and soul. It’s a balance between the timelessness of improvisation and the innovation of contemporary music.”