jazz fusion
Album Review: Levitation Orchestra – ‘Sanctuary’: Another expansive, spiritual jazz epic from the London collective.
UK jazz collective Levitation Orchestra show that the creative possibilities of the large ensemble can endure. Lead by trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lidstrom who first brought this group of young, scene-busting players together in 2018, the collective has been gathering momentum ever since. The Levitation Orchestra’s debut album ‘Inexpressible Infinity’ arrived a year after their formation and …
Album Review: Emma Rawicz –‘Inkyra’: Bold, widescreen, dynamic jazz from the irrepressible saxophonist and her explosive band.
You could say prestigious young saxophonist Emma Rawicz is on a roll right now. Just a few months ago she was turning jazz-heads with her exquisite and sumptuous ‘Big Visit’, a duo album with the phenomenal Gwilym Simcock and now in hot pursuit comes her new set ‘Inkyra’ via the ever-discerning ACT. To be completely …
Album Review: Lophae –‘Imagine More’: Another instalment of lyrical, melodic, shape-shifting jazz from the London quartet.
Now here’s something to hunker down with, ‘Imagine More’, a second instalment from new(ish) London jazz quartet Lophae. That’s a logical title for a follow up to the combo’s acclaimed debut ‘Perfect Strangers’, a set of subtly intense, melodic tunes which had listeners wondering about what might come next in the band’s catalogue. Well this …
Album Review: Franz Von –‘Take What You Want’: Conscious hip hop on the fusion front foot.
If you’re a gig goer who’s ever crossed paths with the fusion blast of TC & The Groove Family or going back further been levelled by Kweku Sackey, aka K.O.G, in his Zong Brigade days, then the chances are you’ve encountered Franz Von, out front in full flow. That sharp delivery, those spikey, incisive rhymes, …
Album Review: Balinese gamelan orchestra Gamelan DanAnda collaborate with electro-jazz fusion group Firetail to release the enchanting album ‘Anglayang’
The collaboration between Naarm/Melbourne-based Balinese gamelan orchestra Gamelan DanAnda and electro-jazz fusion group Firetail has resulted in the fascinating album ‘Anglayang’ which has just been released through Komunitas Records. Creating an absolutely enchanting fusion of modern western jazz music with the traditional gentle sounds of Bali, the mix results in something greater than its constituent …
Album Review: Marton Juhasz-‘Metropolis’: Jazz rock re-imagined and re-vitalised.
Of all new European jazz, the Hungarian scene is the one that just keeps on delivering surprises. The psychedelic beats of Jazzbois’, Mörk’s silky assured nu-soul flavours and Àbáse’s far reaching cosmic expeditions all edged into the consciousness last year. Now comes someone new knocking at the gates with Basel-based drummer and composer Marton Juhasz …
Album Review: Peace Flag Ensemble – ‘Everything Is Possible’: sublime and intimate jazz-toned portraits from the Saskatchewan sextet.
Saskatchewan sound sculptors Peace Flag Ensemble are a band who always seem to go about things quietly. No Fanfares, no bombast, a musical collective whose fluent jazz-toned, post rock dynamics thrum with soft power. They aim for an intimate impact. Their shimmering debut ‘Noteland’ from 2019, balanced ambience and improvisation exquisitely, conjuring up justified Keith …
Track: Rising UK jazzers MATTERS UNKNOWN preview new EP with the sweeping ‘I Am The Birds’.
Brass player, multi-instrumentalist and composer, Jonathan Enser’s most recent project MATTERS UNKNOWN highlights the irrepressible fluidity of contemporary UK Jazz. Well known as a key member of pioneering global beat collective that is Nubiyan Twist, his own music travels along a similar afrobeat, soul, funk orbit of that band but also diverts elsewhere. The rated …
Album Review : Bill Laurance & Michael League – ‘Keeping Company’ : Understated but stunning second album from the Snarky Puppy stalwarts.
And it all began in Leeds in the noughties. Bill Laurance newly graduated from the Uni and trying to earn his crust around the city’s music scene met Michael League, doing the same on his troubadour travels from the States. Gigging together in various jazz-soul leaning bands on the unforgiving northern circuit a friendship grew …
Album Reviews : Daniel García Trio – ‘’Wonderland’ : an exceptional, tight-knit jazz piano trio that keeps its mind open.
The piano trio is such an established form of jazz expressionism that it can be tricky to broaden the scope and keep the messages fresh. In recent times the classic Mehldau/Grenadier/Ballard trio broke new ground with their inspirational interpretations, Phronesis brought dynamic experimentalism to the party and Go Go Penguin thrilled through their strident dance …