marlbank

Scott Hamilton, In the Still of the Night, GLM Music ****

The use of vibes against sax and the choice of tunes are some of the reasons to like this swinging latest from Scott Hamilton

Full Circle Quartet, Same Sky, No label ***

A south coast of England sound that is big on mindfulness and gentle melodic development.

Matthew Stevens, Matthew Stevens, Candid ****

An ambient, late night kind of listen factoring in originals of Canada born guitarist Matthew Stevens plus Leadbelly and Sonny Sharrock numbers

Simone Locarni and Tom Arthurs photo Piero Gatti

Simone Locarni and Tom Arthurs, Alianti, Abeat **** recommended

Landing empathetically in the special place that is the Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor universe, this is an album introducing a new duo that wards off ennui and rewards deep listening so tenderly.

John Beasley with the SWR Big Band, Invisible Piano, O-tone music ****

The SWR has had a good year for releases. I liked the collab with Paul Carrrack. Even better is this from John Beasley. Originals as well as James Taylor and Earth, Wind & Fire material figure on an album that takes its name from the visual cue of a 1920s Max Ernst proto-surrealist painting.

Knats, A Great Day in Newcastle, Fontana **1/2

This homage to the north east is certainly about local pride. Its appeal if you are not from there is more debatable.

Lorikeet, Woven, Babel ***1/2

Jaunty, rather lovely, English folk and some Americana and improv directions figure on newly surfacing Somerset band Lorikeet's Woven.

Jarrod Lawson, Just Let it, Dome ***1/2

Laugh at Yourself stands out most, where Eric Roberson duets winningly.

Wynton Marsalis and Vince Giordano, The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Blue Engine **** recommended

Vibrant trad jazz intimations of Satch wail, smear and ache.

Alcyona Mick and Liam Noble, Distant Plains: The Planets Revisited, Caliban Sounds/One Little Independent ***1/2

Two become one in the moment

Alex Ho and Donovan Haffner, Serendipity, No label ***1/2

A meeting of hearts and minds.

Billy Childs, Triumvirate, Mack Avenue ****

Originals win the day

Miho Hazama and the Danish Radio Big Band, Frames, Edition **** recommended

Mellow writing, cleanly voiced, strong melodies, big band backing that isn't like an overkill at all. All these factors are part of the spell the sound achieves. Miho Hazama reaches new heights

Eivind Aarset, Strange Hands, Jazzland ***1/2

Appealing electro ambient Nordic future jazz from Eivind Aarset, violin and ancient Indian bamboo flute contribute an additional dimension to the existing group sound