John Parry, Author at Backseat Mafia

Album Reviews: Nadah El Shazly -‘Laini Tani’: The evocative voice of Cairo’s leftfield scene delivers a soul-searching stunner.

Where is Egyptian-born, Montreal-based producer, vocalist, composer, Nadah El Shazly likely to be heading with her second solo album ‘Laini Tani’ (out now on One Little Independent)? From a starting…

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Album Review: Cecilie Strange – ‘Beech’: Compelling Nordic Jazz with a subtle strength and singular sound.

When an artist settles into their groove, over time the spark in their music can dim. Listening to ‘Beech’ the new album by Danish saxophonist Cecilie Strange it’s more than…

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Album Review: Trá Pháidín – ‘An 424’: Dynamic and distinctive experimental post rock from the illusive Galway collective.

So let’s get philosophical. In the mid-fifties Guy Debord developed the idea of ‘Psychogeography’, the influence a place has on its inhabitants, their attitudes, values and how they go about…

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Album Review: ‘Yorkston/ Jaycock/ Langendorf’: A thrilling electro-acoustic escapade from the alt-folk-jazz luminaries.

If ever there was a singer/song-writer laureate being bandied about then surely James Yorkston would be one of the names in the frame. Staggering to think that we’re getting on…

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Album Review : Steve Von Till – ‘Alone In A World Of Wounds’: Powerful, soul-searching psychedelic Americana from the post-metal pioneer.

With last year taken up with a triptych of expansive Harvest Man albums released to coincide with each new moon, the irrepressible post metal pioneer Steve Von Till might have…

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Album Review: Cole Pulice – ‘Land’s End Eternal’ : An electro-acoustic touchstone moment from the ambient saxophonist and composer.

Saxophonist/composer Cole Pulice often draws on metaphors to describe their alluring electro-acoustic music. For the 2021 solo debut ‘Gloam’ they suggested the music mirrored shifting patterns of a twisting kaleidoscope…

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Album Review: Arjuna Oakes – ‘While I’m Distracted’: a lush, sophisticated contemporary pop soundscape, rich in soul-jazz understanding.

Even if you’ve picked up on any of singer-songwriter/pianist Arjuna Oakes’s previous offerings, it’s unlikely you would have predicted the scale and ambition of his debut album ‘While I’m Distracted’.…

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Album Review: Arjuna Oakes – ‘While I’m Distracted’: a lush, sophisticated contemporary pop soundscape rich in soul-jazz understanding

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Album Review : Sami Galbi –‘Ylh Bye Bye’ : fresh and feisty electro-pop from a new voice on the world fusion airwaves.

Genevan label Bongo Joe has been sneaking out singles by Swiss/Moroccan electronic artist Sami Galbi since March last year but now the teasing is over. The full whammy, his debut…

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Album Review: Manuel Pasquinelli – ‘Heartbeat Drumming/ Bellmund Session’: Beyond an experiment, a jazz-rock drummer’s statement from the heart.

And now for something (well almost) completely different- Bern based jazz rock drummer Manuel Pasquinelli is venturing into the world of bio-music on his new album ‘Heartbeat Drumming’. Of course…

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