Spring is finally on the way, so we’re celebrating with the March edition of our Jazzwise round-up, featuring the latest editor picks from the jazz magazine. Including new releases from Blue Note’s Melissa Aldana and the final compositions of Kenny Wheeler, this month also spotlights Keith Jarrett and Red Garland in the top reissue recommendations.
New Releases
Filin
Melissa Aldana
“It is Aldana's tonal control and astute lyricism on tenor sax and Gonzalo Rubalcaba's sparse piano voicings and complementary ripples that make the album stand out.”
Available Formats: CD, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Play
Theo Crocker and Sullivan Fortner
“Fortner's nuanced playing is a gift to Croker, whose horn curves, surges and flutters in (call and) response. Real, emotional jazz.”
Available Format: CD
Mezzo
Tim Garland & Geoffrey Keezer
“Garland covers the whole range of the saxophone, showing off the potential of this instrument through a variety of originals, such as 'A Prayer in Winter' and compositions like 'La Fiesta' and 'Every Time We Say Goodbye' where the combination of technique and fulsome tone make this instrument an interesting addition to the saxophone family.”
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler)
Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, Pete Churchill & London Vocal Project
“The maestro himself is absent, of course, but what a delight it is to step back into the entrancing sound-world… the long circuitous melodies, the breath-taking harmonic shifts, the fascinating textural ebb and flow.”
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Vital Spark
Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, Pete Churchill & London Vocal Project
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
While I Was Away
Julia Hülsmann Octet
“On While I Was Away she works on a larger canvas, turning to three hugely talented vocalists…The Norwegian singer Live Maria Roggen is a real talent, and she is given her head on ‘Moonfish Dance’ in a surprise package that can only add to Hülsmann’s growing reputation."
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Archive/Reissue
Soul Junction
The Red Garland Quintet
“With the exception of the title track, a slow 12-bar blues, the repertoire is of songs that would have been well known to the musicians. Garland’s touch on his opening solo on ‘Soul Junction’ is surprisingly light… Coltrane enters with dynamic intensity… he returns a tempo to give way to Donald Byrd.”
Available Format: Vinyl Record
“An investment that will repay itself over and over since its excellent sound quality demands you to hear the music again and again. And if you haven’t already heard this music, now is the time to strike and take advantage of this exemplary reissue that has changed the listening habits of countless listeners in the past by showing there is another path to follow.”
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
