Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: Building on the momentum of their debut album, the legendary musicians and 577 mainstays return with Shine Hear, Vol. 2, a stunning continuation of their avant-garde exploration. Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter, pianist Leo Genovese, bassist William Parkeriwho also contributes on Gralla and Shakuhachiiand drummer and vocalist Francisco Mela, reunite to create another cosmic journey through sound. This second volume maintains the same spirit of improvisational brilliance while pushing the boundaries even further. Drawing from classic jazz structures, the ensemble weaves in modern experimentalism and a broad palette of instruments, resulting in an album that feels both timeless and innovative. The tracks and the album title are inspired by a new poem written by Carter, reflecting the transience and ceaseless motion of modern life, much like the city of New York, where all the musicians are based. This collaboration has unique magic can emerge when these legendary artists come together. Their interplay blends elegant, traditional jazz with daring, avant-garde arrangements. Shine Hear, Vol. 2 stands as a powerful and innovative work, affirming the quartet's ability to continually reinvent themselves while honouring the roots of jazz.

Review: Rindert Lammers' debut LP is a kaleidoscopic suite in five movements; pelican wingspans of twinkly, retentive but then also generous jazztronica, centring on two distinct themes: Japanese cinema and YouTube confessions. Japanese culture is seen through a grateful lens, as theatrical titans such as Kirin Kiki are homaged; the B1 especially is inspired by a poignant moment in the actor's portrayal of Hatsue Shibata in the 2018 film Shoplifters. Seemingly firstly inconsequential digital traces are lent an upscale gravitas, meanwhile, as a voice clip from a YouTube comment on an algorithmically boosted Hiroshi Yoshimura video evolves into the ride-embellished upswell 'Thank You Hiroshi Yoshimura'. Mastering the art of appreciation from afar, Lammers brings a mood of gobsmacked reverence for Japanese enviro jazz and its offshoots, suspending us over an endless realm of forms circa 1989.

Review: In an unprecedented collaboration, Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc and world-renowned pianist Sofiane Pamart present Dreamers, a unique piano composition project. An unusual project to say the least, we have to admit that the idea is there: co-composed between the boy racer and the pianoforte prodigy, Leclerc and Pamart jointly describe their release as a "tribute to the journey and not just the destination", and a composition that "captures the ongoing pursuit of excellence and the never-ending evolution of dreams". It certainly is dreamy, with the likes of 'Focus' and 'The Dream Continues' wringing out the stargazing propensities of all those at home and mixing it with the raw power of the figurative racecar engine, inspiring a longing for greatness on the level embodied in these two.

Review: Low Leaf's Red Moon is a strong three-song release that shows her dynamic artistry. The album opens with a live rendition of Alice Coltrane's 'Blue Nile,' enveloping listeners in its swirling, ecstatic sounds. The subsequent tracks, 'Innersound Oddity' and 'How to Open a Portal,' are Low Leaf originals that feel strangely familiar yet innovative. 'Innersound Oddity' builds to a frenetic climax, while 'How to Open a Portal' blends flute and harp over an airy rhythmic bed, offering soothing vibes with daring climactic surprises. Low Leaf's musical trajectory reflects spontaneity, freedom, and intuition, evident in the multifaceted meanings of her moniker. The album feels like a transmission from a dream realm, echoing her experiences of receiving harp lessons via lucid dreams. A snapshot of Low Leaf's artistic evolution, blending elements of free jazz, astrology, hip-hop and eco-spirituality.