Reviews
Picking out a range of the essentials
Some details and thoughts on John Taylor’s The Bauer Session
Italian label Cam Jazz tantalise once more with a John Taylor solo piano recording made not long before the pianist died.
Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Around The World With U, Cellar Music **** recommended
These old and not so old sweet songs in Gen Y's hands conjure so ably dear dead days beyond recall.
Biréli Lagrène, Elegant People, PeeWee! ****
Swinging French guitar icon Biréli Lagrène does not disappoint with his best album in simply years. Its sentimental insouciance and savoir faire are...
James Kitchman, Floating Sky, No label ***
Pristine pastoralism informs the latest quartet release by English guitarist James Kitchman.
Stacey Kent, A Time For Love, Naïve Records ****
Quiet and reflective from one of the greatest classic jazz singers of our times. The Jim Tomlinson co-write with Cliff Goldmacher 'What Goodbye...
Shalosh, What We Are Made Of, ACT ***
Covering Oasis, Muse and Aqua is not only a bit but a lot gimmicky. Otherwise beyond the purist baiting the trio continue doing...
The Bad Plus, Chris Potter, Craig Taborn, Barbican, City of London ****
Playing the music of the Keith Jarrett American Quartet on their farewell tour, The Bad Plus were on uncompromising kickass form.
Alexander Claffy, Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe), Cellar Music ****
Leaps out of the speakers: what a very happening live album from a stellar US band playing a Coltrane tune you rarely hear...
Paul Carrack, For One Night Only – Live in London, Carrack UK ***1/2
"Say it loud, say it clear: You can listen as well as you hear" - a joy as so often from Paul Carrack...
Steve White trio, Soul Drums: The Jazz Sessions Vol. 1, Acid Jazz ****
One for the Modfather fan in your life, toned down welly delivered at an arm’s length hell for leather jazz distance, direct from...
Stefano Bollani All Stars, Tutta Vita Live, Ponderosa ***1/2
Sprawling and as so often with the ever puckish Italian pianist Stefano Bollani riotously creative. While it's not up there with his greatest...
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, We The People, Blue Engine **** recommended
State of the art big band jazz couched in Ellingtonia and the classic traditions of jazz as reimagined by an orchestra that is...
Harvie S, Bright Dawn, Origin ***1/2
Originals and a super cover of Chick Corea's 'Humpty Dumpty' work well. For the jazz double bass lover in your life.
Aubrey Johnson, The Lively Air, Greenleaf *****
Keeper of the Lyle Mays flame and more - so much more so remarkably - new from singer-composer Aubrey Johnson.
Jasper Somsen, Carsten Lindholm, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Human Vibe, Challenge ****
Delicious Eurojazz from this sensitive trio. While Dutch bass master Jasper Somsen's album featuring Dutch guitarist Anton Goudsmit released last year also appeals...
Joshua Burnside, It’s Not Going to Be Okay, Nettwerk ****
Quite the homespun folk masterpiece from the widely regarded Northern Irish folk musician on his most heartfelt and humane album yet.
Noa Levy and Paul Edis Trio, Portrait in Evans, Dot Time Records **** recommended
Unveiling their swinging new "modern jazz" album together inspired by the hugely influential Miles Davis Kind of Blue pianist Bill Evans, Noa Levy...
Sarah Jane Morris, The Sisterhood 2, Fallen Angel ***1/2
Eminently listenable. The most jazz relevant track is the convincing Amy Winehouse tribute 'The Edge Is Where The Magic Is Found' - as...
- Gary Crosby Quartet featuring Cherise Adams-Burnett + Maddy Coombs trio, Blue Note, London ****
- Michael Kanan, Horacio Fumero and Guillem Arnedo, The Sweetest Sounds, Fresh Sound ***
- Jo Harrop, Love Now Pay Later, Lateralize ****
- The very best jazz vocals of 2026
- Salomea, Pizza Express Live, London ***
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