Blog & Features
Reviews, recommendations, and the odd rabbit hole — written by the people behind the counter.
An introduction to... Contemporary Classical
Contemporary classical doesn't come with the baggage people sometimes expect from the word "classical." No dress code, no need to know your Beethoven from your Brahms. It's music written today,...
An introduction to... Spiritual Jazz
Deep, searching, and expansive — an introduction to Spiritual Jazz at 12 Bar.
An introduction to... World Music
Music pulled in from everywhere else — an introduction to the World Music shelf at 12 Bar.
An introduction to... Crossover Jazz
Jazz that doesn't stay in its lane — an introduction to the Crossover Jazz shelf at 12 Bar.
An Introduction to Electronic Music
From bleep techno to headphone composition — an introduction to the electronic shelf at 12 Bar.
An introduction to... Ambient
Music built for space, patience and the sound of a room breathing — an introduction to ambient at 12 Bar.
An introduction to... Erased Tapes
Discover five essential artists who define Erased Tapes, from Nils Frahm and Ólafur Arnalds to Kiasmos and Rival Consoles. Our guide explores modern classical and ambient music's most distinctive independent...
An introduction to... Brownswood Recordings
Discover five essential artists who define Brownswood Recordings, from Kokoroko and Nubya Garcia to Ezra Collective and Yussef Dayes. Our guide explores Gilles Peterson's label for London's new jazz generation.