Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: If you're looking for some exotic, spiritually minded jazz to kick-start 2021, look no further than this inspired collection as "direct-to-disc" improvisation from drummer Sarathy Korwar and his regular studio partners, the UPAJ Collective. In keeping with the feel of their previous work, the five showcased improvised recordings brilliant fuse familiar spiritual jazz tropes (snaking saxophone solos, loose-limbed drums and quality keys-work) with the traditions and sounds of Indian classical music (think tablas, violins, Hindi musical motifs played on acoustic guitar etc). Throw in some real-time recording trickery, and you've got an unusual but extremely entertaining set that we firmly believe is the first great jazz album of 2021.

Review: A stunning album of big band music from Finnish composer, Kerkko Koskinen, featuring Linda Fredriksson on saxophone and the UMO Helskinki Jazz Orchestra, Agatha 2 is a sequel of sorts to their original Agatha album released in 2007. Tracing Koskinen's signature immensely emotive and dramatic approach to composition, this album sits beautifully between moody atmospheres and fully immersive rushes of cinematic sound. It is clear that Fredrikkson and Koskinen share a clear vision with her solo performances shining against the undulating orchestral backdrop. Taking on a distinctly melancholic and nostalgic mood, especially with the pieces 'Promenade' and 'Piana', the drums are positioned at a purposeful distance to the driving dynamics of the composition, adding a hint of melodic colour to the overall piece rather than being a central force. An inventive project that journeys forwards and backwards in time.

Review: The first official reissue of Playtime by popular and prolific Italian composer, Piero Umiliani. Incorporating styles like jazz, easy listening/lounge, rock, funk, and bossa nova to a genre largely dominated by orchestral scores, he penned some of the most outstanding kosmische music from the '60s and '70s with over 150 titles under his belt. Originally released on Umiliani's own Omicron label in 1968, the album has been remastered from the original recordings by Noah Mintz.