You and I

We are the keepers of dreams

We mould them into light beams

And weave them into life's seams

– Lebo Mashile.

A vastly improving picture 4 years on from the start of the Pandemic.

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Click on each entry below for reviews and full listening links

10 Lynne Arriale Trio Being Human Challenge

9 Taylor Eigsti, Plot Amor, Groundup Music

8 Chris Potter Eagle's Point Edition

7 Joel Ross Nublues Blue Note

6 Gary Husband Songs of Love and Solace

5 John Surman Words Unspoken ECM

4 Charles Lloyd The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow Blue Note

3 Julian Lage Speak To Me Blue Note

2 Amaro Freitas Y'Y Psychic Hotline

1 Tutu Puoane Wrapped In Rhythm Vol. 1 Soul Factory

A deeply stirring and powerful collection of songs from Belgium residing South African singer Tutu Puoane written in collaboration with her husband Belgian pianist Ewout Pierreux, produced by Larry Klein, themed around the poetry of Lebo Mashile whose In A Ribbon of Rhythm Puoane has long since found inspirational. Mashile's work tackles themes such as life in the new South Africa and dwells on such issues as the place of women within the societal fabric of the Rainbow Nation. Among the personnel are guest Larry Goldings whose Hammond organ sound pops up vividly on 'Illicit Love'. Puoane's voice lands tonally somewhere between that of Sibongile Khumalo and Dianne Reeves. Puoane, with Pierreux, Brice Soniano and James Williams, plays Ronnie Scott's, London, on 30 May.

Tutu Puoane, photo: via Bandcamp