Jazz Reviews
-
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section
11th Oct 2021
Fighting against drug addiction and a battered saxophone, Art Pepper entered the studio in 1957 with Miles Davis's rhythm section and recorded one of the finest albums in his catalogue.
-
Henry Threadgill Zooid, 'Poof'
8th Oct 2021
Welcome to the strange world of Henry Threadgill's Zooid, where composed structures are brought to life by the groups inimitable approach to improvisation. Matt takes a listen to the group's latest recording, Poof, out now on PI Recordings.
-
Vasconcelos Sentimento, 'Furto'
1st Oct 2021
Vasconcelos Sentimento's Furto is a peculiar mix of homemade jazz, Hip Hop and anything he can make a noise out of. It won't be for all tastes, but we like it.
-
Nicole Glover, 'Strange Lands'
24th Sep 2021
The rising saxophonist makes a bold statement on her sophomore record with a set of sci-fi inspired originals, featuring guest contributions from pianist George Cables.
Featured product
Strange Lands
Nicole Glover
-
Buena Vista Social Club
20th Sep 2021
The Cuban jazz classic turns 25 next year, with a deluxe reissue out now on World Circuit records. We take a look back at the formation and legacy of this essential album, and the people behind it.
-
Kinkajous, 'Being Waves'
17th Sep 2021
The London quintet's sophomore record sees them further perfecting their sophisticated synthesis of acoustic and electronic sounds.
-
The Music of Donald Byrd
13th Sep 2021
We delve into the vast catalogue of the prolific trumpeter, picking out some of our favourites from his early bebop beginnings with the Jazz Messengers to later jazz-funk experiments.
-
Marcin Wasilewski Trio, 'En attendant'
10th Sep 2021
The Polish trio's seventh release on ECM - recorded alongside their Joe Lovano collaboration - sees them tackling familiar favourites including Bach's Goldberg Variations and Carla Bley, balanced with moody improvisatory pieces.
-
Kenny Garrett, 'Sounds from the Ancestors'
3rd Sep 2021
An amalgam of modern jazz sensibilities, African diasporic sounds and reverence for the elders, Sounds from the Ancestors is a confident release from the saxophonist who once shared the bandstand with Miles Davis and Art Blakey.
-
John McLaughlin, 'Liberation Time'
27th Aug 2021
The veteran jazz fusion guitarist offers his take on the 'lockdown album', recorded with a hand-picked selection of international musicians.
-
Another Side of John Coltrane
20th Aug 2021
A new compilation from Craft Recordings focuses on John Coltrane's work as a sideman, featuring the master saxophonist on recordings by Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, and more.
-
Slowly Rolling Camera, 'Where the Streets Lead'
10th Aug 2021
Slowly Rolling Camera's second outing as an instrumental trio finds them delving further into cinematic territory, complete with an eight-piece string section and handful of excellent guest collaborators.
-
Journeys In Modern Jazz: Britain
6th Aug 2021
This new compilation explores the rich back-catalogue of recordings from the British jazz explosion, including rare cuts by Kenny Wheeler, Neil Ardley, Mike Westbrook and more. Journeys In Modern Jazz proves to be an excellent primer to Britain's unique jazz sound.
-
Matt Ridley, 'The Antidote'
30th Jul 2021
The UK bass player's third release sees him pooling influences from rock, folk, and classical music, balancing memorable melodies with fluid improvisation.
Featured product
The Antidote
Matt Ridley
-
Kohsuke Mine - First
23rd Jul 2021
A hidden gem of '70s Japanese jazz is reissued for the first time, courtesy of British record label Barely Breaking Even. Kohsuke Mine's debut studio recording proves to be a key piece of the J-jazz narrative, embracing the experimental new sounds of the time.
-
Amaro Freitas - Sankofa
16th Jul 2021
The Brazilian pianist explores his cultural heritage with the exciting and creative Sankofa, conceptualised around African philosophy and Afro-Brazilian history.
-
Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin'
12th Jul 2021
One of the many products of an incredibly fruitful period for Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin' is one of the best works from the pianist whose life was sadly cut short.
-
Wollny / Parisien / Lefebvre / Lillinger - XXXX
9th Jul 2021
Michael Wollny and friends inject some fun into electro-acoustic improv on XXXX, an enjoyably wild, yet coherent, record assembled from live recordings made at Berlin's A-Train club in 2019.
-
Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo's Cubano-Bop
5th Jul 2021
The combination of Dizzy Gillespie's bebop with Chano Pozo's Cuban rhythms made for some of the most exciting big band music ever recorded. Matt looks into the story behind these classic cuts.
-
Daniel Herskedal - Harbour
2nd Jul 2021
The Norwegian tubist's latest record is his most varied, evocative and creative to date; a concept album inspired by the Norwegian coastline, Harbour beautifully marries his jazz trio work with his more composed, cinematic style.
