Blue-in-green Sessions

Welcome to Episode #146 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with bassist, multi-instrumentalist and composer, Sunim Koria. It's been four years since we last caught up with the indelibly talented Lutterworth-based artist for an excellent conversation revolving around his debut full-length release 'Ecstasy & The Apple Tree'. A project that found its inspiration from the late-90s/early-00s broken beat soundscapes typified by luminaries including Deborah Jordan and Kaidi Tatham. Sunim's latest release sees his music take a completely new direction with a scintillating big band-inspired project featuring seventeen musicians entitled 'Cantata'. An incredible feat and passion project born of Sunim's vast-ranging ability and limitless talent. We're incredibly grateful for Sunim's time which includes us revisiting 'Ecstasy & The Apple Tree' four years later, discussing the mechanics of putting 'Cantata' together, his affection for Brian Wilson and future musical projects. To grab you

Welcome to Episode #145 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer-songwriter, Holly Holden. As part of Holly Holden y Su Banda alongside Frank Clarke and David Beauchamp, Holly was able to hone her affections for Latin music into some fantastic releases including 'Tropical Soul' (2017) and 'Green Guava' (2020). Her latest project, 'al andar', however sees the London-born artist take the bold step and assume the helm for an album that serves as a powerful and introspective journey shaped by years spent living and writing in Latin America. From Mexico to Colombia, heartbreak to healing, we trace the winding path that brought these songs to life. We're incredibly grateful for Holly's time for this conversation which sees us discuss her devotion to travel, her time living abroad, the differences in creating music as part of a band and as a solo artist, working with and collaborating with Greg Sanders (Teotima, Lophae) and the upcoming UK performances in support of the new a

Welcome to Episode #144 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with Italian singer, songwriter and producer, Germana Stella La Sorsa. In celebration of her third full-length album, Germana teams up with acclaimed London guitarist Tom Ollendorff for 'After Hours' — a sublime six-track duos project. Featuring reinterpretations of classics like The Beatles' 'Because' alongside a reinterpretation of a past La Sorsa release, 'In Time and (S)Pace', the record is a striking showcase of Germana's vocal finesse and expressive range. Whether soaring alongside a single guitar or fronting larger ensembles as on her previous releases, 'Vapour' (2021) and 'Primary Colours' (2023), Germana continues to captivate with artistry and intention. 'After Hours' marks a beautiful evolution in her sound — intimate, warm and engaging. We're incredibly grateful for Germana's time and generosity in this conversation, which explores her artistic journey so far, the inspirations behind 'After Hours', and her ad

Welcome to Episode #143 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer, songwriter and producer, Zola Marcelle. Following a string of standalone single and EP releases dating back to 2018, the multi-faceted Zola Marcelle releases her debut full-length album entitled 'Home' unveiled through the hallowed walls of London's Jazz Re:freshed. Adding her name to the revered Jazz Re:freshed lineage which includes Kaidi Tatham, Nubya Garcia and Richard Spaven, Zola's exceptional credentials to date have seen past collaborations alongside Daniel Casimir and Ashley Henry as well as having secured coveted touring duties alongside Myele Manzanza. 'Home' serves as an inspired depiction of Zola's creative peak to date - a fascinating and compelling portrayal of an artist examining the concept of "home" as an individual as well as an ideology within a greater tapestry of culture and heritage. We're so appreciative of Zola's time for this conversation which sees us delve into her career to dat

Nu-Skool Soul airs Tuesdays at 6pm(UK) with Imran Mirza continuing his adventures within the expansive realms of R&B, neo-, nu- & alt-soul. If we can play something you love then that's great, but if we can play a song or two you may not have heard before, then that's even better! Music on today's show celebrates the music of the dearly departed #AngieStone. With the incredibly sad news of Stone's passing on the 1st March, we're honouring her music and memory the only way we know how. Charting a fantastic career beginning in the 1970s as a part of the Sequence, Stone saw further success as a part of Vertical Hold before becoming a solo artist in her own right with the release of 'Black Diamond' in 1999. A slew of solo albums would follow cementing Angie Stone as a leading name amidst the early years of neo-soul. Tonight's show showcases an enthralling selection of tracks from Stone's solo catalogue including remixes, b-sides and collaborations featuring names like #TheNeptunes #Guru #MacyGray #DAngelo #

Welcome to Episode #142 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with producer, Ben Blackadder. Boasting a consistent batch of exceptional single releases over the last two years, the Nottingham-based artist was initially introduced to audiences via his lush single for David Hanke's Bathurst label, 'Near'. A brief hiatus brought him back with a vengeance with a slew of single releases including 'On My Mind', 'Fragile', 'Ebb' and 'Dust', each proving to be an outstanding showcase of multi-faceted, dance-floor friendly sublime electronica. Blackadder's latest single 'Nightfall' finds itself as an excellent extension of Blackadder's warm and intimate textures, bolstered by exquisite use of vocal samples that delivers another gem amidst the Blackadder catalogue. We're so appreciative of Ben's time for this conversation which sees us delve into his production techniques, establishing himself as an independent musician, embarrassing encounters with musical icons and how the quarantine per

Welcome to Episode #141 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with Lophae founder, Greg Sanders. The release of 'Perfect Strangers' marks another in a string of successes for guitarist, composer and producer, Sanders. Establishing his phenomenal credentials via Teotima's two scintillating full-lengths ('Counting the Ways' and 'Weightless'), Sanders has amassed recent acclaim as a key collaborator for vocalist Juanita Euka, Jonny Wickham and Billy Marrows, amongst a litany of other artists. His penchant for Latin-infused contemporary jazz has yielded some sensational projects which now include the 'Perfect Strangers' album courtesy of Sanders' new quartet, Lophae. Pronounced "lo-fi", the collective is further comprised of top-tier collaborators in drummer Ben Brown, bassist Tom Herbert and saxophonist Sam Rapley who breathe sparkling life into 'Perfect Strangers'. We're so appreciative of Greg's time for this conversation which sees us delve into the Lophae project, life as an

Welcome to Episode #140 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with King Llama members, Ryan Bailey and Luis Briones. Following the release of their new album over the summer, the LA-based prog-jazz-rock-fusion collective unveiled an excellent release with 'Fata Implexis'. Offering a truly unique perspective on contemporary jazz, King Llama have continued to embrace bold and innovative musical soundscapes across their projects. For this go-round - under the watchful eye of highly-decorated producer Dennis MacKay - King Llama have set exciting new heights for themselves. We're incredibly grateful to have been able to catch up with Ryan and Luis to discuss the new album, collaborating with artists like MacKay and percussionist Nate Werth for 'Fata Implexis', the creative process and we delve into the mythology surrounding King Llama, the album's exceptional artwork and the compelling bigger picture surrounding it all. For more information about the band, please feel free to visit

Welcome to Episode #139 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with producer, DJ and musician, Honest Lee whose music comes to us via the innovative hub of creative talent, Growroom Productions. And through that very lens of the Hyattsville, Maryland-based, Growroom, one Mylie ("Honest Lee") Durham has managed to chart a thoroughly impressive and engaging musical journey that has afforded himself - and many others - a platform in which to create music steeped in sincerity and unhindered in its design. For Durham, whether his releases have been presented under the banner of Honest Lee, igloo two, The Mighty Heard or Three Man Soul Machine, it's very much a journey that celebrates his continual compulsion and passion to create. It's been an excellent year for Growroom with the unveiling of the second full-length album release from Honest Lee, 'Cosmic Justice', and the release of igloo two's 'between time remixes' compilation so it was an absolute pleasure to be able to secure time w

Welcome to Episode #138 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Allysha Joy. The phenomenally-talented Allysha Joy has long served as a prominent name within Melbourne's ever-creative nu-jazz-meets-future-soul landscape that continues to introduce new names to wider audiences. As a member of the now supergroup 30/70, Allysha and company helped to usher in diverse and eclectic new soundscapes that have gone on to leave an indelible mark on the genre and impact each of their individual solo successes outside of the group. Allysha's mind-blowing versatility has seen her garner praise and plaudits as an in-demand collaborator having chalked up work alongside New Sector Movements, Sarah Williams White, Skygaze, David Versace and Finn Rees. Able to flit between a variety of musical realms from spiritual jazz to neo-soul to broken beat, Joy's limitless perceptions on music make her one of the most captivating artists working today. We

Welcome to Episode #137 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Sheffield-based DJ, MC and head of Dragon Trax Records, Andy Stockton. As a label that focuses on electronica, techno and drum & bass, Dragon Trax has steadily accumulated an awesome collection of releases with thanks to an incredible roster of like-minded artists including Sick Robot, Edward Spark, DJ Soo, JG Stockton and Socool. Andy's journey to making Dragon Trax a reality makes for a fascinating story as he details his early days on pirate radio, what inspired him to start MC-ing and discusses both the challenges and joys of running a record label in today's unpredictable climate. We were thrilled to spend time with Andy who generously shares so much of his own journey, his invaluable insight and discusses his commitment to music. For more details on Dragon Trax, please visit the label's Bandcamp page: https://dragontraxuk.bandcamp.com/music www.blueingreenradio.com www.blueingreenradio.com/p/listenliv

Welcome to Episode #136 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Edinburgh-based duo, Edy Forey, to discuss their sensational debut album, 'Culture Today'. Ultimately coming to the table from vastly different musical backgrounds, Polish-born singer-songwriter Edy Szewy and Parisian pianist Guilhem Forey were able to find common ground through each of their unwavering passions for music. With Szewy predominately influenced by neo-soul and hip-hop, and Forey a devoted jazz fan, their combined efforts resulted in a sublime sonic palette that paid due praise to each's musical affections. 'Culture Today' showcases an inspired perspective on contemporary jazz-inspired neo-soul and is a project bolstered by some incredible guests including Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso and Snarky Puppy's Michael League and Mark Lettieri. The album boasts the added distinction of Bob Power's studio wizardry throughout. We were thrilled to spend time with Edy and Guilhem to discuss how they met, t

Welcome to Episode #135 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Boston-based bassist, composer, band leader and educator, Ciara Moser. With the release of her debut solo offering in 'Blind. So What?', Moser firmly establishes her inspired perception of contemporary jazz-funk and jazz-fusion for her music going forward. But more than solely serving as a project that is exemplary for its bold and creative compositions and songwriting, the album also seeks to provide insight through a first-hand account of life as a blind musician. Across the album's twelve tracks, Moser imaginatively explores these themes, and recounts from her own experiences, outlining issues pertaining to trust, spatial distance and memory. As a highly-educated and highly-decorated artist, Moser's inumerable successes to date continue to inspire and serve as the framework for even greater achievements in time to come. We were thrilled to have secured time with Ciara to discuss the transition to band le

Welcome to Episode #134 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the Sydney-based saxophonist Benjamin Samuels. With the release of his debut solo offering in 'Dissensation', Samuels firmly asserts himself amongst a really fascinating crop of Australian musicians keen to present inspired and broad perspectives to jazz. Artists like Godtet, Horatio Luna and David Versace are becoming renown for their effortless ability to regard jazz as a lawless entity, free to be adapted and representative of contemporary styles and trends. As a seasoned performer, Samuels regards the genre in the same loving context, creating a record in 'Dissensation' that thrives off of its inspirations and influences. Having performed and toured alongside the dynamic off-beat electronica of Grouch in Dub, the tribal drum'n'bass of Seb Taylor and the global musical perspectives of Balkan Bump, Samuels has clearly relished in these experiences and fuses them all, along with so much more, into 'Dissensation'

Welcome to Episode #133 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the revered harpist, composer, author and educator, Amanda Whiting. Already an established artist with album releases through Jazzman Records, Amanda's boundless talents have really risen to prominence this year with the last six months generating some incredible successes. The 'Lost in Abstraction Remixes' EP came at the tail-end of 2023 through the Scrimshire-helmed Albert's Favourites label and was swiftly followed by her collaborative First Word Records release with Don Leisure, 'Beyond the Midnight Sun'. Recognising her immeasurable talent, First Word were keen to induct Amanda into the label's hallowed halls recently releasing her amazing project, 'The Liminality of Her'. Three projects that go a long way in demonstrating the scope of Amanda's boundless skill and talents. We were thrilled to have secured time with Amanda as a feature presentation for our International Jazz Day celebrations (28th April 2024)

Welcome to Episode #132 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with London-based drummer, percussionist and composer, Tim Doyle. Doyle has seen long cemented himself amongst one of London's premier musicians amidst its pioneering jazz scene. Boasting a résumé that has seen the musician serve as a key contributor to spiritual jazz ensemble Maisha as well as the genre-defying Cykada, Doyle has further established his sound via his own Chiminyo project which seeks to celebrate the union of jazz with more electronica and club-infused soundscapes. With his latest release through Astigmatic Records, Uniri's 'Infinite Reflections', Doyle & company once again seek to reimagine contemporary jazz this time using hip-hop luminaries as their jumping off point. We were so grateful for the chance to catch-up with Tim to discuss his approach to making music and establishing new collectives, what constitutes jazz in today's musical landscape, Chiminyo releases and of course the new Uniri project.

Welcome to Episode #131 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with London-based guitarist and composer, Mike De Souza. Having just released his second full-length project at the end of 2023, 'Chrysalis' further held the distinction of having found a home on the revered Spanish label, Fresh Sound Records. Despite being a project that initially found its life during the quarantine period, 'Chrysalis' became an album about hope through adversity and a stunning piece of work to add to De Souza's burgeoning catalogue. With two albums and an EP ('Road Fork', 2018) now under his belt, De Souza continues to cement his name as a solo artist in his own right in addition to his already stunning résumé which includes a slew of releases via collaborative projects, session work and global touring duties. Perhaps best known for the genre-defying Big Bad Wolf project which generated the fantastic 'Pond Life' album in 2017 and was subsequently followed by a selection of standalone singles, De Sou

Welcome to Episode #130 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the immeasurably talented, Eki Shola. As a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer, Eki has cultivated a strong reputation for her inspired and all-encompassing approach to music-making. Always revered for her ability to incorporate various genres and styles within her music - from jazz to neo-soul to twinges of electronica - her current, fifth album release '還 (Kaeru)', ushers in an even more ambitious creative scope... Recorded in Japan alongside a team of musicians, the combination of cultural styles breeds sensational results and provides an incredible new aesthetic to anything we've heard Shola bless previously. An album that finds itself immersed within the themes of identity and the concept of home, Eki has long proved herself to be an artist that wears her heart on her sleeve, creating impassioned and sincere music as a result. We were grateful to catch-up with Eki to discuss the new album,

Welcome to Episode #129 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer-songwriter, Abi Farrell. Currently promoting new single 'Company', the immeasurably talented artist is steadily ammassing an excellent collection of music with a mix of independently released singles and releases as part of the contemporary soul label, Big AC Records. Whether Abi's releases find her addressing wider societal issues or whether they find her speaking to more intimate dynamics, her songs seem to permeate through to audiences and resonate with those fears, concerns and joys that we all experience. A consistent live performer having supported contemporary luminaries including Izo Fitzroy and MF Robots as well as headlining her own shows, Big AC Records' Third Anniversary Show is currently set for 30th November 2023 at Oslo Hackney, London, and finds Abi sharing the stage with labelmates Nick Corbin, Carmy Love and Emma Noble. We were grateful to catch up with Abi to discuss 'Company' and past mu

Welcome to Episode #128 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which sees Imran connect with saxophonist, writer and composer, Sam Newbould. We last had the opportunity to catch up with Sam back in episode #78 following the release of his stunning sophomore album, 'Bogus Notus' (ZenneZ Records, 2021) - a project that took a distinctly innovative approach to his years growing up in the Yorkshire Dales. With a third outing for his fantastic quintet due in 2024, the Amsterdam-based artist is gearing up for an incredibly busy summer that has already seen him chalk up a rousing performance at this year's Love Supreme festival and sees him gearing up for a seven-day UK tour starting in Manchester and culminating in Nottingham. If you're UK based and hold a penchant for sublime live jazz, then check out the dates and locations below: DATES 18th September - Band on the Wall, Manchester 19th September - Jazz at the Spotted Dog, Birmingham 20th September - Jazz at HEART, Leeds 21st September - The Ropewalk, Hull 22nd Septemb