Release Roundup: Pitch Black, Kenny Sterling, Clear Path Ensemble, Pumice, Samantha Josephine + More

We're back in the end of week roundup saddle, having skipped last Friday due to a classic rock 'n' roll schedule meltdown. Our music community this week salutes Aotearoa indigenous bass revolutionary MOKOTRON, whose breakout 2024 long player WAEREA (Sunreturn) took away the prestigious Taite Music Prize. Revisit our recent coverage of DARTZ, The Bemsha Swing, Isla Noon, There's A Tuesday, Powder Chutes, Geoff Ong, Jazmine Mary and Lake South, then scroll downwards for more new / recent local highlights from Pitch Black, Kenny Sterling, Clear Path Ensemble, Pumice, Samantha Josephine, Lawrence Goodwin, Neither Do I, Michaela Tempers, and Jeiel.

Are you an Aotearoa artist / imprint releasing something new soon? Let us know! Send your info including links to editor@undertheradar.co.nz.

Aotearoa electronic pioneers Pitch Black began their nationwide tour of Aotearoa on Record Store Day last Saturday, gifting dubwise bass lovers with not only the debut vinyl release of their 2007 album Rude Mechanicals, but also brand new remixes collection Freqs In Flux. Reworking tunes from Rude Mechanicals, absolute legendary UK producer Adrian Sherwood's mix of '1000 Mile Drift' is featured, alongside a raft of top tier contributors. Playing next week in Nelson, Whanganui and Wellington, you can grab Pitch Black tour tickets HERE via UTR and order the compact disc version via the Bandcamp link.

Also a wizard on the low end, Mānuka Recordings co-founder Kenny Sterling reemerged with luxurious instrumental jazz-funk two-track EP Love's Mirage / Isle Of Light, joined in the studio by Julien Dyne, Francesca Parussini, Cory Champion, Chip Matthews and Liam McGorry. "Love’s Mirage has a hopeful and playful sound, possibly mirroring the early days of a romance that falters unexpectedly down the line. ‘Isle of Light’ reminds me of driving down the road into Muriwai, on a mission around windy roads with the sunlight peeking through the canopy of the trees above".

Helmed by the aforementioned Cory Champion, 'Cascade d'Ars' is an entrancing melodic moiré pattern mirage, heralding Aotearoa jazz voyagers Clear Path Ensemble's forthcoming new album Black Sand — out on 15th May. "This first track Cascade d'Ars features me on drums, vibraphone, congas, glockenspiel, chimes, percussion, guitar and MS-20, Louisa Williamson on flute, Mike Isaacs on bass clarinet, and Johnny Lawrence on double bass. It was recorded at home and mixed with Mike Fabulous at Eternal Flame".

An Aotearoa DIY musical giant living amongst us mere mortals, Stefan Neville's new collection of Pumice tunes BERRY'S is recorded in honour of Chris Berry, founder of Minneapolis imprint Soft Abuse. "These recordings are especially for CHRIS BERRY for all that you are & do".

Rachel Ashby alerted me to this underground Aotearoa artist via the secret UTR hotline (imagine something similar to the Bat Phone) and I'm glad she did. Despair & Love bundles together a selection of self-released tunes by Samantha Josephine — the refreshingly unpolished songwriting magic is evident to all with ears to hear.

Force behind Black Snake Whip, Career Girls and a myriad other projects, Berlin-based Aotearoa multi-talent Lawrence Goodwin's (The Pleasure Majenta, The Tarts) new solo record Soft Eternity presents an intimate, yet no less uncompromising, aspect of his musical universe. "A departure from the chaos of his previous sonic landscapes, Goodwin’s solo debut is a meditation on stillness and introspection—proof that sometimes, the most powerful sound is the quietest".

The new project of Tāmaki Makaurau's Danny Ebdale (Hospital Sports, April's Fool), Neither Do I follows an emotive songwriting muse with more than a dash of math-rock snappiness in his step. You can catch Neither Do I playing at Fazed On A Pony's album fundraiser at 605 Morningside on 25th April, grab tickets HERE via UTR. "There are two sides to this coin — keep your self / ego small enough to remain humble, or stay small because that's how you've grown to feel? There's a fine line between the two. For me, at least. And maybe someone out there. This concept is all over this album, but it's not the only theme - lots of metaphors and fictional wordplay, but about 75% non-fiction if you spend time to unpack it. It's my most adventurous and mature album yet. It's my first proper album in 5 years and I'm really proud of it".

Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based songwriter Michaela Tempers unfurled 'Higher Ground', her uplifting and tender-strumming third solo single. Look forward to the artist's forthcoming debut Good Woman EP via Home Alone Records.

Jeiel compliments the Manila-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist's bittersweet and energising club banger 'Thru This' with a new ballad version, pared down to soulful voice and piano.