At the end of this month trumpeter Jack Davies will be releasing three new albums on the V&V Music label. This includes work from his quartet Southbound, a small acoustic group (with accordion!) called Flea Circus, and also a release for his Big Band. Despite being released on the same date, each album is pretty unique due to… [Read more…]
February 27, 2012 by Catherine Marks
In a recent NPR interview Robert Glasper was very clear that “jazz is the father of hip-hop – without jazz there would be no hip-hop”. But despite this ancestral link, these two genres are rarely put together. Admittedly I saw British jazz/hip-hopper Soweto Kinch play in the capital only last month, but it is still… [Read more…]
January 3, 2012 by Catherine Marks
A visit to the Neil Cowley Trio’s website at the moment is particularly worth the click as it currently features an excellent ‘making of’ video for their new album. The band rehearse, experiment and record in the studio, playing in a tight-knit formation, frequently interrupted by moments of insincerity. It’s a great introduction to this… [Read more…]
December 23, 2011 by Catherine Marks
I’ve always described Portico Quartet to others as being the jazz version of Radiohead, and I think this might be their Amnesiac album. I’ve been looking forward to the release of their eponymous third LP – keen to see how the change in band line-up and the move towards looping and electronics would alter their… [Read more…]
November 13, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Simultaneously poppy, jazzy and swinging, Dutch singer Caro Emerald’s debut album has done well in the UK. This month her album is re-released as a platinum edition and her live date at Shepherd’s Bush in December is already sold out. On the face of it, this is an album of jazz-era inspired song, but its… [Read more…]
October 7, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Although this is Arun Ghosh’s second album, it’s actually his first with a full touring band. Since releasing his critically acclaimed debut Northern Namaste in 2008, Ghosh has built up a great reputation and even featured as cover star for Jazzwise last month. In his Jazzwise interview he revealed that the first album was recorded… [Read more…]
September 22, 2011 by Catherine Marks
As a massively respected artist on the jazz scene, Robert Mitchell’s latest release with his 3io has been much awaited. Mitchell is steadily building up a huge reputation. Aside from his own groups (3io and Panacea) he has also worked with Steve Coleman, Omar Puente, Courtney Pine and Matana Roberts amongst a glittering list of… [Read more…]
September 17, 2011 by Catherine Marks
All Or Nothing At All is newcomer Alexander Stewart’s debut album. A compilation of trads and pop covers, it covers all the bases for an accessible entry to the jazz scene. Stewart’s voice is strong and smooth, comfortingly wrapping around each lyric in the familiar songs, making this easy listening. But that’s not what makes… [Read more…]
September 2, 2011 by Catherine Marks
The Kena is perhaps not the most obvious choice as the lead instrument of a band. As a diatonic keyless Andean flute, its melodic possibilities are somewhat limited by its simple design. But it is this instrument that Mauricio Velasierra has spent the past decade mastering, even producing his own instruments to find the ‘perfect… [Read more…]
May 1, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Singer, guitarist and percussionist Blick Bassy may be little known in the UK at the moment, but hopefully the release of his second solo album, Hongo Calling (available from May 10th on World Connection), will draw some much deserved attention to him. Originally from Cameroon and now living near Paris, Bassy embraces influences from all… [Read more…]
April 24, 2012 by Catherine Marks
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