Back catalogue:

Review: Ruby Rushton's latest offering presents a vibrant exploration of rhythm and texture, breathing new life into contemporary jazz fusion. On the title track, 'Stapodia,' an infectious groove shifts effortlessly between time signatures, creating a dynamic backdrop for striking solos on saxophone and trumpet. 'Kalo Livadi' bursts forth with a whirlwind of flute, trumpet, and synth bass, only to wind down into a hypnotic hip-hop groove, its keys solo lingering like an unexpected afterthought. The interplay of improvisation and structure feels both daring and deliberate, capturing the energy of a band constantly in conversation with itself.

Review: In celebration of 50 years in the performing arts, Idris Ackamoor presents Artistic Being for Record Store Day 2025-a powerful blend of jazz, spoken word and activism. Featuring the voices of acclaimed actor Danny Glover and stage legend Rhodessa Jones, this record captures highlights from the Underground Jazz Cabaret, which was performed during Black History Month 2024 at The Lab in San Francisco. Co-produced by Ackamoor's Cultural Odyssey, the release fuses poetic storytelling with evocative musical textures while reflecting on social justice, identity and resilience. Artistic Being is a profound statement from a visionary artist.

Review: Recorded during a 2002 studio session that followed a performance at the Vision Festival in New York City, the album features drummer Ali alongside saxophonist Frank Lowe and emerging talents Jumaane Smith (trumpet), Andrew Bemkey (piano) and Joris Teepe (bass). It's a dynamic ensemble bridges generations, blending seasoned mastery with youthful energy through fiery improvisations and moments of profound unity. Ali's pioneering style, rooted in multidirectional rhythms and polytonal percussion, reshaped jazz drumming by liberating the drummer from a purely time-keeping role. His intuitive interplay with the music, both rhythmically and melodically, made him an equal voice in the ensemble's harmonic creation. This approach resonates throughout the album, where cascading trumpet solos and intricate piano harmonies are tethered by a vibrant bass and Ali's commanding percussion. Tracks like the soaring opener and introspective interludes demonstrate the group's ability to shift seamlessly from bold, expressive improvisation to passages of collective breathing. Originally mixed and mastered by Ali, the recordings were shelved after his untimely passing and are now released by Survival Records in a beautifully restored LP, complete with recollections from Teepe.

Review: A transatlantic jazz summit, capturing Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy Reece alongside American legends Donald Byrd and Art Taylor. Recorded in London in 1958, Blues In Trinity marks Reece's Blue Note debut, a vibrant blend of hard bop and soulful melodies and features a stellar lineup including Tubby Hayes on tenor sax, Terry Shannon on piano and Lloyd Thompson on bass. Reece's trumpet shines throughout, his expressive playing and melodic phrasing complemented by Byrd's equally impressive contributions. Highlights include the soulful title track, the dreamy 'I Had The Craziest Dream' and a captivating rendition of Monk's 'Round About Midnight'.

Review: Sonny Rollins made his Blue Note debut in 1949 with Bud Powell, but returned as a leader in 1956 with Volume 1. This album showcases classic Rollins so has plenty of hard-swinging originals and a tender ballad that perfectly offer up his powerful sound and boundless improvisational skills. The quintet includes Donald Byrd, Wynton Kelly, Gene Ramey and Max Roach who all support Rollins in creating a dynamic blend of jazz. This record solidified Rollins' reputation as a leading figure in the genre, and that is still true to this day.

Review: Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins assembled a star cabinet of collaborators on his 1959 hard bop record, uniting a near justice league of greats whose roster tallied Hampton Hawes, Barney Kessel, Leroy Vinnegar, Shelly Manne and Victor Feldman. Known as the last of the Rollins records to be released before the artist's untimely retirement - at least, the first of several sabbatics, though that didn't prevent him appearing on The Simpsons in 2013 - this LP comprises a long host of standards and originals, including brilliantly vibraphonic call-responses, faster extended phrases and walking-bass bouffants.

Review: Sonny Rollins' 'Alfie' soundtrack, originally released in 1966, is an enthralling example of the saxophonist's ability to weave narratives through his music, his incisive and energetic playing breathing life into the film's themes of love, loss and the complexities of human relationships. The iconic 'Alfie's Theme' and its variations are instantly recognisable, their melancholic beauty capturing the film's emotional core. But the album also features hidden gems like the regret-tinged 'He's Younger Than You Are' and the sensually relaxed 'On Impulse', showcasing Rollins' versatility and emotional range.