Review: Hailing from Japan, The In Sound features Bryn Barklam, renowned as the Hammond player in the iconic band Mother Earth. Produced and mixed by BDQ Records, 'The Modernist' is an infectious jazz-infused pocket of energy. With its irresistible groove and impeccable musicianship, this is one for true freeform jazz lovers, delivered on a limited edition 45 that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
Review: Pete Cunningham's hybrid electronic/acoustic jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble has been right at the forefront of innovation when it comes to those sounds. For his latest project he links up with lyricist and MC Rider Shafique. They first met some six years ago when Cunningham was struck by "his powerful way with words." As such they got in the studio, Cunningham embraced a more bass heavy sound to his style and drew on his love of the likes of dub kings King Tubby and Adrian Sherwood. Coupled with Rider's voice and you have a superb new record.
Review: Last year, the Expansions label kicked off a wonderfully intriguing 10" series featuring classics from soul music's rich canon complemented by contemporary cover versions and so far it's seen Blue Note troupe Quasimode tee off against Johnny Hammond and Bembe Segue challenge Norman Connors. A third edition duly arrives and hints Expansions are really enjoying the creative challenge the concept allows them with the jazz funk classic "Zaius" from Eddie Russ joined by a cover from the celebrated UK funk veterans Incognito. Originally appearing on the 1976 LP See The Light, "Zaius" is a blinding example of why Russ is described a master of the keyboard and it's complemented well by Incognito's B Side cover which appears on vinyl for the first time. Don't sleep!
2023-05-12 Set II (2220 Arts & Archive, Los Angeles) (22:18)
2023-05-13 Set I (22:48)
2023-05-13 Set II (22:44)
2023-05-15 Set I (The Chapel, San Francisco) (23:10)
Review: The debut recording from The Ancients, an intergenerational trio featuring Isaiah Collier, William Hooker and William Parker initially formed to play Milford Graves' Mind Body Deal exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. This double LP captures the raw energy and improvisational brilliance of their live performances, showcasing the enduring legacy of free jazz. Collier's tenor saxophone soars and wails, drawing on influences from John Coltrane to Charles Gayle, while grounding his explorations in a deep understanding of structure and form. Hooker's drumming is a force of nature, a whirlwind of polyrhythms and explosive energy that pushes the music to its limits. And Parker, a true legend of the avant-garde, anchors the music with his virtuosic bass playing, creating a foundation for the trio's improvisational flights. The music is both a celebration of the rich history of free jazz and a bold exploration of new sonic territory. The Ancients tap into the spirit of their predecessors, channeling the energy of the Cecil Taylor Unit and the Ornette Coleman Trio, while forging their own unique path, the power of collective improvisation looming large throughout.
Donald Byrd - "You Gotta Dig It To Dig It" (13:35)
Review: Three Trumpets was recorded in 1957 and released on the New Jazz label. It features the Prestige All Stars led by revered trumpeters Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, and Idrees Sulieman and supported by a solid rhythm section of pianist Hod O'Brien, bassist Addison Farmer, and drummer Ed Thigpen. This sublime album includes five original compositions, one each by Farmer, Byrd, and O'Brien, and two by Sulieman. While none of the tracks became hits in their own right and with 'Palm Court Alley' being a blues delight, they all offer up dynamic performances and impressive interplay among the brass musicians.
Review: Jazz collectors - specifically those of you with an obsession with the work of sax legend John Coltrane - perk up your ears. Many among you might not yet be aware of The Cats, a collaborative album recorded in synergy between Coltrane, guitarist Kenny Burrell, trumpeter Idrees Sulieman, and pianist Tommy Flanagan, but we wouldn't blame you, because this was one that flew under the radar on its New Jazz release in 1959. Not least, this might have been because it was released when Coltrane had moved onto more one-off release projects, shortly after his more widely publicized contract with Prestige Records ended. Nonetheless, it's cited as a deeply special album, resonant of the slinky sound of postwar New York jazz inasmuch as it is of the archetypal feline form.
In A Sentimental Mood (Volume 2 part 1- live At The Barbican) (10:04)
Giant Steps (12:11)
Reprise 1 (2:41)
Water From An Ancient Well (8:46)
Nisa (6:49)
The Wedding (4:54)
Tuang Guru (Volume 2 part 2- live At The Barbican) (14:56)
Reprise 2 (8:35)
Dreamtime (4:18)
Skippy (6:15)
Blue Bolero (5:08)
Mindif (2:38)
Trance-Mission ("the Sound Of Centuries Old Martime Cargo") (0:54)
Review: Legendary South African composer and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is back with a new album, 3, that shows he very much still has the skills to pay the bills. It arrives on Gearbox records and features music taken from his sold out date back in summer 2023 at London's Barbican. The man himself is now 84 years old but is drawing on all those years playing to make the most majestic music of his career, with heart swelling piano and enticing melodies all serving as life affirming reminders. Parts of this feature the full recording including the audience and parts are music only, with spoken word snippets interspersed to make it seem all the more cosmic.
Salvation (Act III: Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand) (10:30)
Theme For Cecil (7:47)
Virgin (Act IV: 400 Years: The Clotilda) (10:19)
The Last Slave Ship (5:01)
Dogon Mysteries (4:57)
Review: Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids' Shaman! is a bold and adventurous new record. It is a study in jazz that takes cues from myriad different sounds and scenes. Sub-Saharan jazz, Afrobeat, free-jazz, Afro-Cuban music, spoken word, and more all colour in the tracks which have been written by a large cast of musicians. The album was recorded din London and features Pyramids co-founder Simmons on flute, longtime band member Sandra Poindexter on violin, plus guitar from Bobby Cobb, and three new members from Europe in Jack Yglesias, Ruben Ramon Ramos, and Gioele Pagliaccia. It makes for an expressive but introspective world that draws you deep into its midst, where you will be oh so happy to get lost.
Review: Precipice marks a return to Ill Considered's improvisational origins, with Idris Rahman, Emre Ramazanoglu, and Liran Donin synergising to showcase their exceptional talents and solidify their position as frontrunners in the UK's jazz landscape. Following the acclaimed 'Liminal Space in 2021, this album embodies a raw, minimalist essence reminiscent of 70s jazz classics. Collaborating once again with visual artist Vincent De Boer for the album's artwork, Ill Considered's evolution since their 2017 inception has been remarkable. Their pioneering DIY ethos, resulting in nine albums recorded in studios and live sessions, has garnered them a devoted following and garnered respect from jazz luminaries. Now, with their catalogue available on streaming platforms, Ill Considered's distinctive sonic universe is accessible to a wider audience who are ready to delight in both discovery and appreciation.
Review: Blue-noted jazz modulators Ill Considered here present their irst fully produced studio album on New Soil - 'Liminal Space'. After releasing a whopping 9 self-released albums in the space of 2 years, this is their first studio-crafted LP following their step up to the label, and are soon set to show it off at a debut interactive A/V residency at Southbank Centre's Purcell Room. Fresh with a new lineup, the noodling bass of Liran Donin courses the ears like velvet on 'Dust', while Dadaist freakouts, courtesy of Emre Ramazanoglu's drums, cause anxious goosebumps on reaching 'Light Trailed'. Don't miss this limited double black 2xLP.
Review: Marking its debut on vinyl, Jiro Inagaki's groundbreaking jazz-rock album introduces a bold fusion of new rock elements, featuring Inagaki's vocals alongside Sammy and Yasushi Sawada for the first time. Backed by a stellar lineup including Masahiko Sato, Kimio Mizutani, and Hiro Yanagida, this reissue by Nipponophone underlines Inagaki's status as a maverick in Japanese jazz. Originally released in 1971, the album blends heavy rock grooves with an enigmatic allure, resonating deeply with collectors of rare groove worldwide. Inagaki, renowned for his saxophone work and production skills, has left an indelible mark not only in jazz but also as a sought-after session player for legends like Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra. This reissue reaffirms his legacy, offering a glimpse into his influential jazz-rock era.
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