Album Reviews
Album Review: The Other Way – Learning To Be
London-based jazz-fusion quintet The Other Way showcases stunning musicality and brilliant ideas on their latest album, ‘Learning To Be’. With the introduction of angular riffs and dappled electronics in the opener, ‘Guidance’, the band swiftly establishes the alternative jazz sound that defines the album. Enhanced by commanding, smoky lead vocals, the track transitions between jagged …
EP Review: Ellorie McKnight – Equinox: A Serene Journey into Nature’s Embrace
Ellorie McKnight’s latest EP, “Equinox,” is a captivating journey through earthy Americana and folk that transports listeners to the serene landscapes of rural Canada. Released exclusively on Bandcamp, this collection of songs reflects McKnight’s deep connection with the natural world and her experiences living in the vast and remote Yukon. The EP opens with “Trivial,” …
Album Review: Simon Bailey’s elegant instrumental album ‘Moonscapes’ etches beautiful shapes in the firmament
Simon Bailey used to be in early 2000s band Pony Face – a band that also had Anth Dymke, a regular on our review pages from his solo work and collaborations with Golden Fang and Jo Meares. Through his label Pony Face Records, Bailey has just released an exquisite collection of instrumentals in his new …
Album Review: Jo Meares’ Silver Bullets unleash their impossibly beautiful and glittering self-titled debut album.
Jo Meares is a prodigious talent and whatever he turns is mind to, it will be remarkable. His new project, Jo Meares’ Silver Bullets (let’s ignore the possessive comma issue), eschews his ambient and ethereal side for the full blooded rock’n’roll experience. OK, it’s still ethereal, but with a vibrating combustion engine to power the …
Album Review: Kamasi Washington reaches new spiritual heights with defining album Fearless Movement
Kamasi Washington’s latest offering, “Fearless Movement,” out today, is poised to be one of the standout albums of the year, certainly in Backseat Mafia towers. The album not only showcases Kamasi’s unparalleled talent but also highlights the brilliance of the incredible collaborators who contribute to this musical tapestry. From the breathtaking flute solo by André …
Album Review : Nubiyan Twist – ‘Find Your Flame’: Pioneering global beats collective on scorching form for album number four.
Nubiyan Twist, the global beats collective lead by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, are in many ways pioneers of a contemporary big band sound. Front runners when it comes to forging afrobeat, jazz, soul, hip-hop, latin and dance, they’ve been defining their own space for almost a decade now while still managing to swerve the more formulaic …
Album Review: Wilding scatters a joyous irreverent hue into the universe with his scintillating new album ‘Whatever I Am’
it’s been nearly four years since one of our favourite artists, Naarm/Melbourne’s Wilding, released ‘The Death Of Foley’s Mall’ through the legendary Half A Cow label (see my review here) and a later compilation album ‘Hello….My Name Is Wilding’ (reviewed here). Now, Wilding is back with an album of brand new material in ‘Whatever I Am’ and the …
Album review: Michel Moers – ‘As Is’. Long-awaited second solo album from Telex frontman.
It’s been thirty three years since Telex frontman Michel Moers released a solo album, with 1991’s ‘Fishing Le Kiss’. During that time he’s been consumed by photography and architecture but still making music on the quiet. Often described as “the Belgian Kraftwerk”, Telex’s emergence in the 70s marked them as leftfield players in Electronic Pop’s …
Album Review: Bill Laurance/The Untold Orchestra-‘Bloom’: Gently moving, deceptively powerful orchestral jazz from the Snarky Puppy mainstay.
It’s tricky to summarise the range and significance of pianist and composer Bill Laurance’s musical CV to date. The chance hook-up as a student in Leeds, backing a young Michael League during his sojourn from the States; the subsequent return invitation to travel to the US to play in League’s new band the then unknown …
EP Review: The Love Buzz Shine On ‘No Different’
Cork indie-rockers The Love Buzz capture a vibrant, fun indie sound that, despite its light and free demeanor, is surprisingly authentic and honest. From the outset, with the first track ‘Pretty Happy Alone’, the band’s vibrant, guitar-led sound shines brightly as they deliver infectious melodies with tongue-in-cheek, honest lyricism, capturing a fresh vibrancy flavored with …