Crate Digging: Dan Caplin, We Are Golden

Crate Digging is a music discovery platform where contributors take home and discuss two records from across Concord Recorded Music’s active and historical labels.

Dan Caplin, associate music supervisor at We Are Golden, discusses his top two finds.

My Frontline find is Nubya Garcia’s ‘SOURCE’

I chose Nubya Garcia’s album as she’s one the most exciting artists to have come out of the London Jazz scene in recent years. Her musicianship is clear to see, but it’s her range of influences - from hip-hop, to reggae, to cumbia, that makes her music so appealing and helps her stand out.

SOURCE is a perfect example of how to combine musical influences seamlessly. Many artists, especially in jazz try this approach, but it takes real craft to release an album with so many different ideas and sounds that still feels part of one complete work.

'La cumbia me está llamando' is my favourite track from SOURCE. Cumbia is an underrepresented genre, especially here in the UK - and that authentic Colombian sound mixed with Nubya's sax works nicely and feels unique.

I think there are plenty of sync opportunities for an album like SOURCE, as there are so many different styles involved that could work well as global scene-setters. On top of that, there is something about the album that feels very current and UK - it's energetic and emotive in equal measure.

My Catalogue find is Chet Baker’s ‘Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen To You’

For Chet Baker, it’s his longstanding influence on music today that makes him my pick. His trumpet sound is iconic, but for me his vocals are timeless, and you can hear his influence on contemporary artists like Puma Blue.

‘Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen To You’ may not be the most influential of Chet's albums - but it is a perfect example of how smooth, cool and confident he was at interpreting traditional pop songs in his unique jazzy way.

'Old Devil Moon' stands out the most for that bossa-influenced rhythm section and it draws you in immediately. It has a slightly suspenseful feel but then Chet's gentle vocals and those familiar lyrics drop in and they mesh so smoothly.

This album has a much more classic sound for sync, that evokes a certain time and place. It feels perfect for projects set in the late 50s/early 60s - especially anywhere set in a metropolitan city like New York, London or Paris. The album is romantic, sensitive, and effortlessly cool.

If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: tom.frank@concord.com.