Reviews
Picking out a range of the essentials
Nils Berg and the Norrbotten Big Band, Paid To Cry, Hoob Records **** recommended
Tapping into the Swedish blues via a tender big band approach
Jeremy Siskind, Seeking Balance, Outside in Music **** recommended
Claire Martin is sublime particularly on 'Snow'. And ripples from the instrumentals of the Siskind led piano trio cascade in ever increasing circles...
Eliane Elias, Ao Vivo, Candid ***1/2
A very receptive San Francisco audience hangs on every note it seems, on this latest from Brazilian bossa nova piano and vocals icon...
Alexander Hawkins, No Nation but Imagination, Intakt Records ***1/2
Abstractions dissolve into generous vamps and a freedom-loving swirl of flute, harp and electronics
Jasmine Myra, Where Light Settles, Gondwana ****
What a breakthrough from the saxophonist and composer.
The Phoenix Trio, Tomorrow is Today, Giant Step Arts ***1/2
One of the most absorbing live albums I have come across this year.
David Sánchez, Tambó, Ropeadope ***1/2
One of the most distinctive authorial voices of modern Afro-Caribbean jazz today.
Alejandro Falcón, Falcón In Blue, Dot Time Records ***1/2
Afro-Cuban jazz is experiencing a moment thanks to this.
Gustaf Ljunggren, Along the Low Road, April Records ***
A naturalistic, gentle listen full of sweeping chordal washes and mindful malarkey.
Steve Wilson, Enduring Sonance, Smoke Sessions **** recommended
There's a lot of spirit in the rendition here of a strong selection of tunes including material by Quincy Jones and Milton Nascimento.
Hermine Deurloo and Anton Goudsmit, Unfiltered, Challenge ***1/2
Charming harmonica and guitar duetting. Includes tunes by Bill Frisell and Enrico Pieranunzi.
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...
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
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....
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.
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