Linear Labs

Thelonious Monk and Charlie Rouse working through "Boo Boo's Birthday" in the studio, December 1967. Named after his daughter Barbara. From Charlotte Zwerin's Straight, No Chaser, 1988.

@AdrianYounge Nine movements of cinematic orchestration, psychedelia, jazz-funk, and action-noir, recorded 100% analog straight to tape Los Angeles, CA.

@AdrianYounge recording "Moon Traveling" from his latest Linear Labs album, Younge. A fully instrumental album composed, produced, written, and mixed by Adrian Younge. Streaming everywhere. Vinyl available for preorder. 🔗 linearlabsmusic.com

Elis Regina and Tom Jobim in the studio creating "Chovendo Na Roseira," LA, 1974. Two of Brasil’s greatest voices coming together for what would become Elis & Tom, one of the most celebrated albums in Brasilian music history. Footage from the 2023 documentary Elis e Tom.

Buena Vista Social Club recording "El Cuarto De Tula" at EGREM's Areito studios in Havana, 1996.

The Gladiators in session in Kingston, 1977. Albert Griffiths, Clinton Fearon, and Gallimore Sutherland, straight out of Trenchtown and Studio One. From Jeremy Marre's Roots Rock Reggae, the first in-depth documentary on Jamaica's music scene.

Isaac Hayes in the studio at Stax in Memphis, arranging the Memphis Horns for "So I Can Love You" by The Emotions (1969). Hayes and David Porter produced the record, which was written by a 16-year-old Sheila Hutchinson and went on to hit number 3 on the R&B chart.

@AdrianYounge @NPR By @MrJeffPierre for @NPR All Things Considered.

@AdrianYounge sits down with @NPR to talk about his latest Linear Labs album, Younge. From the sampler to the symphony, Adrian breaks down the cinematic soul of his most personal record yet.Listen and read the full interview at 🔗 npr.org/music

Ike & Tina Turner recording a Sugar Free Dr Pepper jingle at Bolic Sound, 1975. Ike's home studio in Inglewood, custom-built from a gutted furniture store and running almost 24 hours a day.

Delroy Wilson performing "Dancing Mood" at King Tubby's home studio in Kingston, 1982. One of Jamaica's most soulful voices, captured in one of its most sacred rooms. From the Deep Roots Music documentary.

Isaac Hayes. "Theme From Shaft" (1971) Conducting a full band and orchestra through wah-wah funk, cinematic soul, and symphonic tension. The first Black composer to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a blueprint for decades of music that followed.

Elis Regina and Antônio Carlos Jobim recording "Águas de Março" at MGM Studios in Los Angeles, 1974. One of the most beautiful and iconic duets ever committed to tape, from one of the most legendary collaborations in Brasilian music.

Younge. OUT NOW. An entire album composed, recorded, and mastered in under three weeks. Nine movements of cinematic soul, shimmering orchestration, psychedelia, jazz-funk, and action-noir. by @AdrianYounge Now streaming everywhere. 🔗 linearlabsmusic.com

D'Angelo and Femi Kuti inside Electric Lady Studios, NYC (2002). "Water Get No Enemy." Recorded for Red Hot + Riot, a tribute album to Fela Kuti, with Questlove leading the session.

Isao Tomita, 1980. The Moog III wasn't an instrument he bought. It was one he assembled, module by module, sound by sound. The Japanese composer who proved the synthesizer could hold the weight of a full orchestra.

Azymuth at Phonogram Studio in Rio de Janeiro, 1976. The legendary Brasilian jazz-funk trio of José Roberto Bertrami, Alex Malheiros, and Ivan Conti.

Listen. Decide. Commit. The rest takes care of itself. Read the full piece on Substack and linearlabsmusic.com. Subscribe to the newsletter and support #JazzIsDead and #LinearLabs.

The Luthier's Law. You can't rush a creation without changing its nature. You have to make peace with human imperfection. To learn to hear the difference between a mistake and a personality.

Shigeru Suzuki rehearsing 'Suna no Onna (砂の女)' with Haruomi Hosono & Tin Pan Alley, 1975. The core of what would become Japan's defining city pop sound, still taking shape in the room.