Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: Outside In decided to highlight Ray Angry's exceptional talent as a top pianist with the new album Three. Solo piano, a tradition that runs through jazz greats like Art Tatum to Keith Jarrett, is the perfect platform to showcase Angry's brilliance so in the fall of 2022 he visited Reservoir Studios, sat at the Steinway piano, and played for two hours straight. The result was an extraordinary torrent of music, blending classical, jazz, and pop, all unique to Ray. Now the best of it is served up in this bumper box set with a deluxe booklet with writings by Questlove and Black Thought.

Review: The Moon and the Melodies, a collaboration between Cocteau Twins and ambient pioneer Harold Budd, stands as a unique gem in both artists' discographies. Originally released in 1986, this ethereal album is now being reissued on vinyl, remastered from the original tapes by Robin Guthrie. Unlike anything else the Cocteau Twins ever produced, this record blends their dreamlike soundscapes with Budd's serene, improvisational piano work. The result is an atmospheric journey, at once intimate and expansive. Tracks like 'Sea, Swallow Me' shine with Elizabeth Fraser's otherworldly vocals, intertwined with Guthrie's shimmering guitar and Raymonde's grounding bass, creating a sound that feels both familiar and entirely unique. Instrumentals like 'Memory Gongs' and 'The Ghost Has No Home' highlight Budd's delicate piano, enhanced by the band's signature ambient textures. The album is a study in contrasts, vocal tracks sit alongside instrumentals, each contributing to a cohesive yet diverse listening experience. For fans, this reissue is a chance to revisit a pivotal moment in the evolution of dream pop and ambient music. The album's enduring appeal is evident in its continued influence in social media. The Moon and the Melodies remains a shining light that can happen when artists from different realms come together to create something truly timeless.

Review: Byard Lancaster's The Complete Palm Recordings 1973-1974 is a definitive 7LP box set celebrating the Philadelphia jazz virtuoso's groundbreaking work. This comprehensive collection features Lancaster's four influential albums released on Jef Gilson's Palm RecordsiUs, Mother Africa, Exactement, and Funny Funky Rib Cribiplus the exclusive standalone edition of Love Always, a captivating 15-minute modal jazz piece. Lancaster, known for his innovative approach, teamed up with prominent figures like Sylvin Marc, Steve McCall, and Clint Jackson III during these sessions. Each album features Lancaster's dynamic range, from the Coltrane-inspired sounds on Exactement to the funk-infused grooves of Funny Funky Rib Crib. The inclusion of Love Always highlights Lancaster's remarkable modal improvisations, complemented by a stellar lineup including Jean-Francois Catoire and Keno Speller. The box set includes all original albums, meticulously restored and remastered. It features a four-page portfolio, an exclusive one-sided 12" EP with a screen print, and a 20-page booklet with rare photos and an in-depth exploration of Lancaster's Parisian years by Pierre Crepon. This collection not only honours Lancaster's legacy but also offers a deep look into his most creative period.

Review: Standing as one of Santana's most remarkable live albums, capturing the band's extraordinary chemistry and virtuosic performances during their 1973 tour. Originally released in Japan and not available domestically until much later, this triple LP remains a definitive document of the band's fusion period, blending Latin, Afro-Cuban, jazz, rock and psychedelic elements. The album showcases the thrilling improvisations and spiritual depth of the eight-piece lineup, featuring legendary tracks like 'Every Step of the Way', 'Toussaint L'Overture' and an incendiary 'Incident at Neshabur'. The reissue, sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl, offers audiophile-quality sound, enhancing the clarity and balance of the performance. The dynamic range, rich bass and vivid percussion are rendered with exceptional presence, offering an immersive listening experience. With the inclusion of seven previously unreleased tracks, Lotus captures the band at its peak, delivering both precision and passion. This reissue is a stunning tribute to Santana's pioneering fusion era and in its most complete and unique packaging yet.

Review: For the first time, Piero Umiliani's entire Liuto label production is collected together in a remarkable 19-CD box set. This set includes 18 albums (with the final album being a double CD), each housed in a replica of its original sleeve. Accompanied by a 72-page booklet featuring rare photos, essays by Maurizio Corbella and Niccolo Galliano, and a detailed discography, this release is fully endorsed by the Umiliani family. Umiliani's contributions were pivotal in shaping the Italian sound in jazz, film, and library music. His ability to merge creativity with production and publishing made him a true modern musician who was integral to Italy's rich musical heritage, as this collection proves beyond doubt.

Review: The Complete Sound Work Shop Heritage box set is an extraordinary tribute to Piero Umiliani's prolific career, gathering his entire output on the Sound Work Shop label into an unparalleled 17-CD collection. Housed in faithful reproductions of the original album covers, this set is complemented by a 72-page booklet featuring rare photographs, insightful essays by Maurizio Corbella and Niccolo Galliano, and a comprehensive discography and tracklist. For the first time, Umiliani's extensive contributions to Italian jazz, film scores, and library music are showcased in one collection. His work at the Sound Work Shop studio, which he opened in 1968, played a crucial role in shaping the sound of Italian popular music. The studio was a hub of creativity where Umiliani explored a vast array of genres, from funk and psychedelic rock to avant-garde and electronic music. This collection reveals Umiliani's genius not just as a composer, but as a producer and visionary who controlled every aspect of his music's creation and distribution. The box set is a comprehensive portrait of a modern musician whose influence on Italian music during the 1970s remains indelible, making this collection essential for historical reasons.