New releases last eight weeks: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Betty Carver's The Modern Sound of Betty Carver album was arranged by the talented Richard Weiss in 1960. It offers up plenty of unique new takes on some classic standards with modern, for the day, vocals and all pressed up as part of the Verve By Request series on nice heavyweight vinyl. Highlights come thick and fast and include the fresh scat stylings of 'On The Alamo', a brilliantly lively take on 'What A Little Moonlight Can Do' and some heart-melting tenderness on the run-through of 'There's No You'.

Review: Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! was recorded in 1961 on Verve, and it captures all-time jazz great Ella Fitzgerald as most people of the time got to hear her live, backed up by a quartet. There are some essential soulful standards included in this set such as 'A Night In Tunisia' and 'Cry Me A River', while the title track is a sprightly burst of swinging sunshine typical of the early bebop period. Faithfully transferred from analogue tapes and pressed to heavyweight vinyl, this is a fine document of Fitzgerald's immense talent and natural charisma in its rawest form.

Review: The plainspoken title Previously Unheard Recordings was given to Stan Getz and Bill Evans' six-track set of rarities back in 1974. The result of a recording session completed over ten years earlier in 1963, all the pieces heard here shine bright lights on the pianist and saxophonist's synergistic powers, and come backed by auxiliary instrumental incantations from two bassists, Ron Carter and Richard Davis, as well as drumming by Elvin Jones. Emblematic of the cool jazz style, the overgirding mood is one of time-lapsed delight and lightness of being, but yet which is not fearful of life's downer moments; this loyalty to jazz's complexity of mood can be heard all the way from 'Night And Day' or the closing 'Grandfather's Waltz'.

Review: There remains great interest in the work of Astrud Gilberto, and much of it is being freshly remastered and pressed up on a constant basis. Her Look To The Rainbow is a captivating journey into the realms of what she did in the bossa nova and jazz. Released in 1966, it showcases Gilberto's ethereal vocals floating effortlessly over lush arrangements as tracks transport listeners to sun-kissed beaches with their infectious rhythms and melodic charm. Gilberto's voice often exudes a tender elegance, while the title track 'Look To The Rainbow' radiates with hope and optimism. With its seamless blend of Brazilian flair and jazz sensibility, this album remains a timeless classic.

Review: Jazz and punk's best legacies fuse together with this latest collaborative release between The Messthetics and James Brandon. Brandon is a jazz saxophonist and contemporary virtuoso from New York; meanwhile, the Messthetics consist of former Fugazi members - bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty with guitarist Anthony Pirog. Continuing the latter's pegging as a 'jazz punk jam', the focus here is on Brandon's novel sax playing, lent to the Messthetics' cathartic, ultimate punk-riffing focus. All is instrumental, as signalled on the lead single 'Emergence', which finds pure enjoyment in variation around a singular four-by-four bass loop. In the saxophonist's own words: "The Messthetics are friends at this point and collaborating with them over the years has now brought us to another high point of musical bonding and purely unapologetic energy!"

Review: Originally released in 1965, this landmark album of meditation features Scott's clarinet playing alongside Japanese musicians on koto and shakuhachi. Its tranquil and lucid sound has captivated artists and collectors globally, providing rich sampling by notable hip-hop and electronic music producers. This album's legacy lies in its ability to transcend time and genres, resonating with listeners seeking a sense of serenity and introspection. With the popularity of ambient continuing to rise and the importance of Japanese influence on electronic music being more and more prominent, this album becomes a more and more important guidepost in music.

Review: British jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings releases his sophomore album 'Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace', set to be another distinctive ribbon on top of his well-decorated jazz career including collaborations with Andre 3000 and being a member of Sons of Kemet. The LP marks Hutchings' return to music after giving up the saxophone a year ago. Here he returns to his original instrumental calling, the clarinet, but a wide array of wind and percussion punctuates his musings. Opening track 'End of Innocence', is a brief and understated clarinet and piano marriage. The reverberation of the keys softly drones behind the masterfully precise clarinet lead, with perfectly placed percussion sprinkled throughout. It's introspective, serene and understated - a supremely narrative feel that only instrumental jazz can give off. This pressing is the indie-exclusive red-coloured disc.

Review: Composer and multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings releases his sophomore LP Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace', building on his increasingly impressive career working with Andre 3000, Sun Ra Arkestra and heading multiple bands - not least the, now dissolved, The Comet is Coming. The album marks the king's return to music, following his abandonment of the saxophone in 2023. Here he returns to his original instrumental calling, the clarinet, but a wide array of wind is on offer. The first single, the opening track 'End of Innocence', is a succinct clarinet and piano marriage. The reverberation of the keys softly emanates behind the masterfully controlled clarinet lead, with perfectly placed percussion sprinkled throughout. It's introspective, serene and understated - a supremely narrative feel that only instrumental jazz can give off.

Review: Shabaka Hutchings' Perceive Its Beauty is a profound and meditative musical journey that celebrates the richness and grace of African culture. Through a diverse ensemble of renowned musicians, Hutchings invites us to immerse ourselves in a sonic landscape that evokes the beauty and bounty of the Motherland. The album's meditative quality stems from the restraint and collective nature of its creation. The instruments seem to float effortlessly, creating a sonic cloud that carries echoes of Afro-Asian music and the tranquil sounds of nature. Yet, within this understated atmosphere, individual brilliance shines through. The artistry of Jason Moran on the piano and the ethereal voices of Moses Sumney and Eska add layers of nuance and emotional depth. In an era often marked by division and disharmony, Perceive Its Beauty offers a refuge of unity and peace. It invites us to transcend superficial boundaries and embrace the beauty and grace that resides within and around us.