It certainly proved quite exciting discovering this new music earlier today from guitarist Robin Katz. I had not heard of the Londoner before and find his sound, while trying unsuccessfully to curb my enthusiasm at least a bit, quite bewitching & land, as it were, over the moon – Gary.
‘The Moon’ arpeggiating exuberantly is drawn from an album out later this spring called Hypnos.
Katz has already issued a stunning version of the much beloved Ryuichi Sakamoto movie theme ‘Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence’ the film that had David Bowie starring as Major Jack “Strafer” Celliers in the 1983 flick, arranged here by Barak Schmool – of F-IRE Collective fond regard – that also captivates.
Katz says: “These pieces were initially written as études for solo guitar, and they reflect the wide range of influences found in the music I love to listen to.”
Katz explains that “Hypnos is the Greek god of sleep, the father of Morpheus, the god of dreams” and that “the inclusion of the Hammond organ came from a desire to pair the nylon-string guitar with an instrument you don’t usually hear alongside it.”
MORE FROM MARLBANK
Finn Carter, Finding Home, Whirlwind **** recommended
Remember exactly where you are and how you felt when you first heard these remarkable sounds
Gary Crosby Quartet featuring Cherise Adams-Burnett + Maddy Coombs trio, Blue Note, London ****
A first visit to the new London Blue Note
Michael Kanan, Horacio Fumero and Guillem Arnedo, The Sweetest Sounds, Fresh Sound ***
A pleasantly swinging mainstream piano trio rendering of some classic tunes plus a few originals
Jo Harrop, Love Now Pay Later, Lateralize ***1/2
A soul diversion for Jo Harrop unearths some obscure, simmering northern soul friendly fare
Christ-Stéphane Boizi, As The Spirit Leads, Banger Factory **** recommended
What a debut – new in the marlbank choice for top UK releases in 2026
JD Allen, Söwt, Savant **** recommended
A big change in JD Allen’s style as the deep jazz saxophonist goes gnawa
Gustav Lundgren, Plays Coltrane, Prisma Music ***1/2
No sax shock. But the concept isn’t in hock to anything too gimmicky.
Zawinul Legacy Band 3.0, Live At Grafenegg, Ropeadope ***1/2
Compositions that are built to last played by players who are closer to the source than most
Ekep Nkwelle, Caged Bird, Mack Avenue ***
The route to the rootsier thread among the album choices is more direct
