Alcyona Mick and Liam Noble, Distant Plains: The Planets Revisited, Caliban Sounds/One Little Independent ***1/2
Two become one in the moment
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Alex Ho and Donovan Haffner, Serendipity, No label ***1/2
A meeting of hearts and minds.
30 April 2026
Billy Childs, Triumvirate, Mack Avenue ****
Originals win the day
27 April 2026
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
26 April 2026
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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
25 April 2026
Anthony Joseph, The Ark, Heavenly Sweetness ****
Another strong showing from London scene British Trinidadian poet, vocalist, singer-songwriter Anthony Joseph and his kicking band
24 April 2026
Blue Moods, Directions & Expressions, Posi-Tone ***1/2
Miles Davis themed - easy going middle of the road swinging routines on this new studio album from Blue Moods
23 April 2026
The W, Mikrokosmos, TYZart**** recommended
Following the example of Chick Corea, Bruno Heinen's The W for Mikrokosmos zones in specifically on Book 6. What a pick-me-up.
20 April 2026
Let Spin, I Am Alien, Discus ****
I have no idea what "post jazz" means, a term sometimes trotted out to describe Let Spin. It trips off the tongue easily enough.
20 April 2026
Talkline, Growing Pains, Milk Man EP ***1/2
Words matter. Experiencing the fuller Talkline further joins the dots between poignant 1970s-like singer-songwritery that's rooted in a liking for John Martyn and Labi Siffre and a more up to the minute jazz sensibility. Growing Pains is quite touching especially 'I Can See.'
19 April 2026
Peter Erskine, Peregrine, Hard Wag Records **** highly recommended
A winning array of Keith Jarrett, Phoebe Snow, Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Brian Wilson and Jimmy Webb material contained within what's crafted as carefully as a choice artisanal blend.
13 April 2026
People in Orbit, Viewpoint, April ***
You won't have just glimpsed the dark side of the moon unlike some other People in Orbit making all the news.
11 April 2026
Julian Joseph, Voyage of the Faithful, Rivetation Records *****
An event release. A giant of British jazz piano returns with a bangingly swinging trio exhibition, on what is blindingly obviously a milestone recording.
10 April 2026
Foy Vance, The Wake, Rounder ****
Amazing stuff, utterly magnetic especially 'Call Me Anytime.'
8 April 2026
Ego Ella May, Good Intentions, Believe UK ***
A loungey listen from much hyped singer Ego Ella May has its moments but there are no knockout songs.
8 April 2026
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.
6 April 2026
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 something of a revelation that may cure any lingering feeling, dear reader, you might possess of jadedness. Listening shakes off such torpor.
6 April 2026
James Kitchman, Floating Sky, No label ***
Pristine pastoralism informs the latest quartet release by English guitarist James Kitchman.
5 April 2026
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 Is For' appeals most to me.
3 April 2026