jazz
Album Review : Maria Grapsa Sextet– Life : The jazz pianist/composer and her band merge melody, power and tradition to break new ground.
As we gear up to indulge in all things jazz for next week’s London Jazz fest, here’s a strong reminder that the UK scene itself remains bustling with new talents. The pianist and composer Maria Grapsa together with her sextet has just released a solo debut ‘Life’ via Musical Dojo Records and its some statement. …
Track/Video : Johannesburg jazz collective iPhupho L’ka Biko offer up ‘Braam Streets’ ahead of their significant debut EP ‘Azania’
More proof then, if you really need it, of the power and fortitude within new gen South African jazz. Those diligent sound searchers at We Are Busy Bodies announce ‘Azania’, the upcoming vinyl debut by iPhupho L’ka Biko, on the racks and shipping from 15th December. Formed by bassist/composer Nhlanhla Ngqaqu in 2015 from musical …
Album Review : Júlio Resende Fado Jazz – Sons Of Revolution : immaculate and moving fusion from the Portuguese quartet.
Portuguese jazz pianist and composer Júlio Resende has just released a fourth Fado jazz journey, ‘Sons Of Revolution’ through the indispensable ACT label and it’s another intriguing excursion. Resende first explored the alchemic potential of blending Fado music with the free spirit of jazz sensibilities on his 2013 album, ‘Amália por Júlio Resende’. A deep …
Album Review: Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Five: In The Garden : a powerful and poetic jazz saga.
Jazz composer, saxophonist and visual-artist Matana Roberts powerful and profound Coin Coin album series has reached its fifth chapter with the release of harrowingly resonant ‘In the Garden’ via Montreal’s Constellation Records. The album continues Roberts’ resolute commitment to a twelve-part song cycle which began in 2011 with ‘Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de couleur …
Track: aramii – Tidal
aramii is the new moniker for the long time collaborative project between prolific artists Maria Chiara Argirò and Jamie Leeming, the duo behind one of Backseat Mafia’s favourite albums ‘Flow‘. The latest EP, ‘Dusk’ (Cavalo Records), combines their signature blend of lofi, electronica and cinematic jazz with vocals. It presents a fresh and unique take …
Album Review: Tomorrow comes the harvest – Evolution
Tomorrow Comes The Harvest project started with late Tony Allen, one of the originators of AfroBeat and Jeff Mills to get together to create an improvisational type of performance. The idea was to not pre-prepare or to preplan anything, but just to play in the moment spontaneously and to reach for the same understanding musically. Jean-Phi …
Album Review: Slow Knife – A Hymn Supreme
Todmorden experimentalists Slow Knife have returned with a second album, the fully improvised two track long player, A Hymn Supreme. Taking its lead more than likely (as well as half of its title) fromJohn Coltrane opus, it’s explores spiritual jazz, but alongside noise electronics and lyrically explores the ‘authenticity of spiritual transcendence’. Part 1 lies …
Live Review: The Comet Is Coming / Snapped Ankles – Somerset House, London 14.07.2023
Since being Mercury prize-nominated for their first album ‘Channel the Spirits’ in 2016, The Comet is Coming have continued to evolve through our cosmic plane! It’s hard to avoid the astronomical comparisons with this band, as they are truly a galactic force to be reckoned with! The jazz trio (in the loosest term) are all …
Album Review: Peace Flag Ensemble – Astral Plains : Shimmering electro-acoustic jazz for wide horizons.
The first time you hear the music of experimental jazz collective Peace Flag Ensemble, you sense that it will be good for you. This is a band that make soundscapes, often spacious, often serene, so fluid, so open that as you listen there’s a sense you are being listened to. It’s music that leaves room …
Track/Video : Saxophonist, composer and jazz chronicler Matana Roberts announces new album ‘In The Garden’, Chapter Five in the visionary Coin Coin series.
Many new releases are anticipated but few have the added importance of Matana Roberts fifth instalment in their Coin Coin series ‘In The Garden’, due via Constellation on 29th September. The jazz composer, saxophonist and multi-disciplinary artist’s significant song cycle began in 2011 with ‘Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de couleur libres’. This staggeringly visceral …