Review: Albert Ayler was a trailblazing avant-garde saxophonist lost far too soon, and not long before his death he performed an iconic pair of performances at Fondation Maeght in Saint Paul de Vence outside Nice. While excerpts from the performances have been previously released, this is the first time they appear in their entirety, alongside each other as a testament to a truly powerful force in jazz. This four-CD edition comes with an extensive 100-page booklet loaded with essays and quotes from authorities and contemporary music luminaries of all sorts, making it a standout document for all serious jazz lovers to cherish.
Review: In early 2024, contemporary jazz cats BADBADNOTGOOD reported that they returned to the studio energised by recent international shows and collaborations with artists like Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson and Baby Rose. The Canadian trio of Al Sow, Chester Hansen and Leland Whitty then joined with friends including Felix Fox-Pappas, Kaelin Murphy and Tyler Lott for an intensive recording week at Los Angeles' Valentine Studios. The result was the Mid Spiral series which explores distinct themes of Chaos, Order and Growth. Released initially in three digital parts, this genre-blending project now arrives on CD via XL and is another superb listen that explores how their roots in instrumental jazz fuse with hip-hop, neo-soul and funk.
Review: Since emerging in their home country a decade ago, Caixa Cubo have flitted between labels (most notably Heavenly Recordings and Jazz 'N' Milk) while establishing trademark sound that expands on the jazz-funk-meets-samba-jazz template created by fellow countrymen Azymuth (like that band, they're a trio based around drums, bass and organ/electric piano). Unsurprisingly, they've now found a home on Joe Davis's Brazil-focused Far Out Recordings, a stable that has done much to champion Azymuth in the UK. Modo Avia (air mode) is typically warm, breezy and gently tropical, fusing killer grooves and infectious, off-kilter rhythms with brilliant solos, infectious riffs and far-sighted musical flourishes. It feels like the sort of set that will be talked about in hushed tones in 30 or 40 years, and we can think of no greater praise than that.
Review: Over the years, Sam Shepheard's work as Floating Points has become increasingly ambitious, moving further away from his dancefloor roots and closer to spiritual jazz, new age and neo-classical. Even so, it was still a surprise when Shepheard announced Promises, a 46-minute piece in 10 "movements" featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. It's an undeniably remarkable piece all told; a constantly evolving fusion of neo-classical ambience, spiritual jazz and starry, synthesizer-laden soundscapes notable not only for Sanders' sublime sax-playing and Shepheard's memorable melodic themes, but also the intricate, detailed nature of the musical arrangements. It's a stunningly beautiful and life-affirming piece all told, and one that deserves your full attention.
Review: Kyoto Jazz Sextet are an acoustic jazz 'unit' established in 2015 fronted by Shuya Okino. After their first two albums 'Mission' and 'Unity' this new third album channels only the best of what Tokyo's jazz scene has to offer, illuminating both past and present musical narratives in Japan by enlisting both new artists and legends (Takeo Moryiama appears on drums) alike.
Review: Laufey's GRAMMY-winning sophomore album, 2023's Bewitched, returns in freshly expanded form. Musically, the set is rooted in vintage jazz and classical music, though its perspective - not just lyrically, but in its approach to subtle musical fusion - is undeniably contemporary. It remains a brilliant set, with the Icelandic artist effortlessly flitting between 1930s style smoothness ('Dreamer'), string-laden acoustic jazz ('Second Best'), bossa-nova ('From The Start'), and tributes to the heartfelt works of Nina Simone ('Misty'). This edition also boasts a quartet of bonus cuts, including superb recent single 'Goddess'.
Review: You might know Airto Moreira and Flora Purim as the King and Queen of Brazilian Jazz and for good reason. They have spent more than the last half decade putting out some of their homeland's finest and most richly rewarding jazz albums as well as playing exhilarating live shows all over the world. They have found favour with jazz lovers everywhere as a result, from Japan's concert halls to the UK's jazz-funk scenes. If You Will was their last album back in 2022 and it got a Grammy, and now A Celebration: 60 Years - Sounds, Dreams & Other Stories brings together some of their best work from over the last 60 odd years. Essential stuff.
Review: Caribbean-Belgian composer, producer, and musician Nala Sinephro us now based in London and for her debut album she gets incredibly personal. The long player marks a first release on the mighty Warp label and it is more than worthy of that accolade across a series of stunning ambient and jazz pieces. They are all interconnected and speak of an artist in deep thought and a state of inward reflection. The moods are devastatingly impactful whether melancholic or more hopeful with wistful sax sounds and gentle drums adding up to captivating worlds of sound.
Review: Soil & Pimp Sessions is a Japanese jazz band with an explosive sound. Made up of five musicians Shacho, Tabu Zombie, Josei on piano, Akita Goldman on bass and Midorin on drums, they are primarily an expressive live outfit who serve up rough and ready sounds that fire your every single synapse. They have been playing for 20 years now but their breakout album Pimp Master came in 2006 and saw them go on to play at Glastonbury the year after. This latest record is another exceptional one that goes from intense and complex highs to beautiful tender and vulnerable moments of calm.
Asha The First (feat Thundercat, Taj Austin & Ras Austin)
Computer Love (feat Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat & Brandon Colman)
The Visionary (feat Terrace Martin)
Get Lit (feat George Clinton & D Smoke)
Dream State (feat Andre 3000)
Together (feat BJ The Chicago Kid)
The Garden Parth
Interstellar Peace (The Last Stance)
Road To Self (KO)
Lines In The Sand
Prologue
Review: One day, Kamasi Washington will be heralded as a genuine musical genius. For now, he's just one of the artists of the moment - a jazz artist whose take on the genre is so wide-ranging and forward-thinking that it defies categorisation. On Fearless Movement, his follow-up to the dazzling and mind-blowing Earth (2015) and Heaven & Earth (2018), Washington heads for the dancefloor, combining his usual jazz, classical and soul influences with lashings of P-funk colour, raps aplenty, and impressive cast-list of guest stars. Andre 3000 reaches for his flute on the decidedly cosmic 'Dream State', old pals Thundercat, Taj Austin and Ras Austin step forth on the brilliant 'Asha The First', and George Clinton and rapper D Smoke light up 'Let's Get Lit'. He even doffs a cap to d&b on future jazz-dance classic 'Prologue'. Immense.
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