Jazz Reviews
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Nina Simone - You've Got To Learn
21st Jul 2023
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of her birth, this newly-discovered recording of the High Priestess of Soul's performance at the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival encapsulates the essence of Simone's unparalleled abilities and world-class talent.
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John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy - Evenings At The Village Gate
14th Jul 2023
Our Recording of the Week is a formidable new release that captures an exciting and transitional phase in both artists' careers, in a live quintet recording from 1961.
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Donny McCaslin - I Want More
7th Jul 2023
For his third solo album since collaborating on David Bowie's Blackstar, saxophonist Donny McCaslin ramps up the energy in a boisterously unrestrained race for space.
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Uriel Herman - Different Eyes
30th Jun 2023
Depicting a concoction of memories and personal experiences drawn from his own life so far, the Israeli pianist's latest album is a keenly sensitive affair that also features the talents of trumpeter Itamar Borochov.
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Meshell Ndegeocello - The Omnichord Real Book
23rd Jun 2023
For her debut outing on Blue Note, the acclaimed musician returns with the help of various special guests for an album entrenched in deep feeling and emotional resonance.
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Elina Duni & Rob Luft - A Time To Remember
16th Jun 2023
Reprising their established ECM-outfit, musical partners Elina Duni and Rob Luft return for a comforting blend of intimately-delivered poetry and Albanian folk song.
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A Time to Remember
Elina Duni & Rob Luft
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Magnus Öström Group - A Room For Travellers
9th Jun 2023
The former e.s.t.-drummer returns with a clear and passionate rendering of his frustration with mankind’s lack of respect for nature.
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Joshua Jaswon - Polar Waters
2nd Jun 2023
Having moved to Berlin and formed his own ensemble, UK-born composer and saxophonist Joshua Jaswon's Polar Waters is a compelling album that combines jazz, poetry and song to memorable effect.
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Joy - Joy (1976)
26th May 2023
Our featured recording this week is a reissue of the sole album from Joy, a post-bop outfit that exemplified the vibrant musical cross-pollination taking place during the mid-70s British jazz scene.
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Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke - Lean In
19th May 2023
A welcome return from two contemporary jazz greats, whose individual styles combine to create a sincere blend of emotional clarity and kinship.
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Lean in
Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke
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Kasper Tranberg - Nobody's Heart
12th May 2023
Our pick this week is an immaculately emotive and detail-laden album from a trio headed by the Danish trumpeter.
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Stan Tracey Quartet, 'Jazz Suite Inspired by Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood'
10th May 2023
In light of a new vinyl reissue of this seminal British jazz release, we take a look at how the 1965 recording captures the Welsh poet's imaginative genius.
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Canadian Jazz Collective - Septology: The Black Forest Session
5th May 2023
Our jazz recording of the week is the debut release from the seven-piece ensemble of award-winning and established Canadian jazz musicians, which was recorded at the iconic MPS Records studio in Villingen, Germany.
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Shirley Scott - Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank
28th Apr 2023
Our final Jazz Recording of the Week for this month is a recently unearthed live recording that showcases the Queen of the Organ at the peak of her powers.
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Ahmad Jamal Trio, 'The Awakening'
26th Apr 2023
Underrated at the time of its release but having since gone on to be adored by jazz cats and hip-hop producers alike, this album reveals the late pianist at his most joyously creative.
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GoGo Penguin - Everything Is Going To Be OK
19th Apr 2023
A glowing return to form for the Manchester-based trio, this time digitally manipulating their unique acoustic sonorities to tackle post-human anxieties.
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Brandee Younger - Brand New Life
14th Apr 2023
On her gorgeous new album Brand New Life Brandee Younger moves the jazz harp into lush new territory, embracing hip-hop-inspired beats and R&B moods in her hypnotic sound world.
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Sissoko Segal Parisien Peirani - Les Égarés
7th Apr 2023
The quartet of kora player Ballaké Sissoko, cellist Vincent Sega, saxophonist Emile Parisien, and accordionist Vincent Peirani come together to produce one of the freshest-sounding releases of the year so far.
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Tristan Banks - View From Above
31st Mar 2023
With over 30 years of experience, drummer Tristan Banks delivers an outstanding debut recording, brimming with energy and imagination.
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Billy Childs, The Winds of Change
24th Mar 2023
Celebrated pianist, composer and bandleader Billy Childs proves that he is still at the forefront of post-bop on his new album The Winds of Change, a collection loosely inspired by film noir soundtracks.
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The Winds of Change
Billy Childs (piano)
