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Isik Kural’s Moon in Gemini is a luminous scrapbook of slow-flowing narratives couched in intuitive and symbolic storytelling. Awash in woodwinds and strings, lullaby-inflected lyrics and tender imagery, Isik’s voice moves closer to the listener’s ear on his third album, intoning states of being in which the wonder filled sound of everyday life can be heard and felt.

Moon in Gemini will be released Friday, September 6 as Artist and “Standard” LP, Japanese Import CD (via Plancha), and digital editions. Today we share the sounds and “Almost a Ghost” and “Behind the Flowerpots,” both featuring the vocals of Stephanie Roxanne ward, pka spefy. We are delighted to continue our journey through Isik’s enchanted world of sound.

A space for wide daydreaming, where the invisible steps forward and dauntless ghosts play under a hazy lunar light.

Out in the world today, Black Decelerant’s eponymous debut album, and the second volume of Reflections, our series of contemporary collaborations. Black Decelerant is the duo of Khari Lucas, aka Contour, and Omari Jazz. Both artists have maintained prolific, mostly autonomous profiles as writers, performers, and producers over the past several years, which makes the effortless alchemy of Black Decelerant all the more magical.

The Black Decelerant album arrived with RVNG (near) fully formed at the tail end of 2021. Contrary to so much music made remotely during 2020 that has surfaced over the past few years, Khari and Omari had been talking about a collaboration for several years. This translates in a fluid, conversational way across the self-titled album, bearing no blemish of boundary. rather, a boundless recording as full of musical ambition as it is content in its creators’ intention of presence and just… listening to one another

While you’re listening to this listening, you might also hear the musical ancestry of spiritual jazz that Khari and Omari hoped to conjure, as processed through formless composition and texture. But listen closer for a friendship forming, the mutual appreciation of craft, and a comfort in this creative and spiritual exchange. It’s inspiring, and heartwarming.

This one is a long time coming. Grateful to Khari and Omari for this offering, and for letting us in on their conversation. If you’re around Ridgewood, Queens tonight, Friday, June 21, come and celebrate this release at Stone Circle Theatre. If you’re not, press play, and decelerate.

Ahead of this Friday’s release, Black Decelerant share a final single, “three,” from their eponymous debut album, and second volume of RVNG’s Reflections series.

Today, Tuesday June 18, at 4 pm EDT Khari, aka Contour, and Omari will host an album listening party on Bandcamp. Make some time to decelerate / celebrate, and rsvp at the link here. 🗝️🚪🌫

Just in time for Horse Lords upcoming us tour dates, As It Happened: Horse Lords Live is back for a second vinyl edition. Featuring updated artwork from Will Work For Good and the same rock solid (live) sounds, grip a copy from the band on one of the tour dates below or directly from RVNG.

06/26/24 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge ← Ticket Link / Event Page
06/28/24 – North Adams, MA @ Solid Sound Festival
06/30/24 – Vancouver, CA @ Vancouver International Jazz Festival
07/01/24 – Tacoma, WA @ Elks Temple
07/02/24 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
07/03/24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
07/05/24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Lab
07/06/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ 2220 Arts + Archives