Blue Lab Beats, Blue Eclipse, Blue Adventure/Decca France ***

The latest jazz and AfroFusion sounds from beatmaker NK-OK (Namali Kwaten) and amazing multi-instrumentalist Mr DM - David Mrakpor - remain highly accessible. Guests include Camilla George, Poppy Daniels, Kojey Radical and Nico Harris. Very gentle …

Published: 22 Apr 2024. Updated: 11 days.

BLB

The latest jazz and AfroFusion sounds from beatmaker NK-OK (Namali Kwaten) and amazing multi-instrumentalist Mr DM - David Mrakpor - remain highly accessible. Guests include Camilla George, Poppy Daniels, Kojey Radical and Nico Harris. Very gentle and silky without being at all smooth jazz, Blue Lab Beats' real forte it seems to us is their infectious and dancey take on Afrobeat and hi-life found particularly on the very catchy 'Guava' that features saxist George and trumpeter Daniels. Natalie Lindi's more soul aimed 'Brother' also works well. Namali Kwaten, above left, with David Mkrakpor

Tags: Reviews

US jazz club highlights: 23-28 April

The Dave Stryker Trio with Warren Wolf play Baltimore this coming weekend José James + guest Pedrito Martínez Blue Note, New York Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24, Thursday 25, Friday 26 Cyrille Aimée Birdland, New York Tues 23, Wed 24, Thurs 25, Fri …

Published: 22 Apr 2024. Updated: 11 days.

Next post

1619364426787_mobileLarge

The Dave Stryker Trio with Warren Wolf play Baltimore this coming weekend

  • José James + guest Pedrito Martínez Blue Note, New York Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24, Thursday 25, Friday 26

The US based French singer of Dominican descent Cyrille Aimée's most personal album to date À Fleur de Peau (Whirlwind) released recently given that the songs are largely originals. Larry Goldings collaborator Jake Sherman worked closely with the singer on the production side. ''À Fleur de Peau'' - an idiomatic French expression that can mean something like being very sensitive, on edge - created between 2018 and last year was recorded chez Sherman. Aimée's emphasis is on positivity particularly on the smiles everywhere New Orleans paean found on 'Beautiful Way'. Who couldn't love the pacey cover of the Isley Brothers' The Heat Is On (1975) song ‘For the Love of You’ covered down the years by Whitney Houston, Joss Stone and George Michael.

Solo shows from legendary jazz pianist Michel Camilo.

Pianist Aaron Parks of Invisible Cinema and Arborescence renown with top ECM double bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Nasheet (son of Freddie) Waits of the Bandwagon who was mighty on Eastside Romp with Jeff Parker and Eric Revis on a 2022 release.

  • Jacky Terrasson Trio Smoke, New York Wed 24, Thurs 25, Fri 26, Sat 27, Sun 28 April

The very fine pianist launches Moving On at Manhattan's Upper West Side club Smoke along with his trio members bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Alvester Garnett.

Read an interview with Kenny Garrett on his new Who Killed AI? album with Svoy here.

Violinist Ben Sutin released Mr Inevitable earlier this year - in his band are pianist/accordionist Ben Rosenblum, bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Dominic Palombi.

Featuring guitarist Fareed Haque, keyboardist Oz Ezzeldin, the John McLaughlin bass guitar legend Kai Eckhardt and drummer Hassan Hurd.

Venture down Groove Street with guitarist Dave Stryker, famed Baltimore vibist Warren Wolf, organist Jared Gold and drummer McClenty Hunter - known for his work with Kenny Garrett and Javon Jackson.