Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Katia and Marielle Labeque's latest album, Cocteau Trilogy, celebrates operatic works by Glass inspired by Jean Cocteau's films. This highly anticipated release completes Glass's operatic triptych with transcriptions from Orphee, La Belle et la Bete, and Les Enfants Terribles, arranged specifically for the Labeque sisters by Michael Riesman. The album continues the sisters' long-standing tradition of transcending musical boundaries, blending power and subtlety with remarkable precision. From the opening notes of the Orpheus Suite, the Labeques captivate with their dynamic control and signature flair. Their interpretation of Glass's complex harmonies and rhythmic structures is both intense and nuanced, offering a fresh perspective on the composer's work. The sisters' ability to transition seamlessly between forceful, vibrant passages and moments of delicate restraint brings a new emotional depth to these compositions. Cocteau Trilogy is a compelling tribute to Glass, showcasing the Labeque sisters at their best. It's a multifaceted album that not only honors the legacy of the composer but also cements the Labeques' status as masters of their craft, making it a standout release of 2024.

Review: Percussionist and singer-songwriter Mami Kakudo returns with her latest album, Contact. A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts' Department of Instrumental Music, Kakudo has gained recognition in Japan and internationally for her expressive use of marimba, percussion, voice and music boxes. Four years after her debut album, Oar (featuring covers of Maki Asakawa's 'My Friday' and Fishmans' 'Ikkareta Baby'), Contact showcases her signature sound again here in all its glory. Recorded with a talented ensemble-including Mugi Furukawa on guitar, Akita Goldman on bass, Wataru Mitsunaga on drums, and Yumiko Iwao on cello-Contact highlights Kakudo's ethereal voice, poetic lyrics and whimsical arrangements.

Review: For their 26th album, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard shift from their recent grandiose themes to a more intimate collaboration among six close friends. Flight b741 embodies a primal, instinctual feel, as described by bandleader Stu Mackenzie. The goal was to create something raw and gut-drive full of fun and spontaneity. Drawing from the 70s American rock influences of their youth and their garage-rock origins, Flight b741 is a thrilling, dynamic creation. The album's ten tracks feature rough song structures brought to life by inspired improvisations, unique grooves, and a collaborative vocal approach where each band member contributes their voice. The album feels like a joyous weekend with friends, filled with moments of profound connection and exhilarating musical expression. Flight b741 is a beacon to King Gizzard's ability to innovate. delivering a raw and engaging musical experience.

Review: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's August 2024 Detroit performance strips back their usual high-energy psychedelia to reveal a more intimate, acoustic side. The recording captures reworked versions of their tracks with precision and depthi'Theia' finds new resonance in its gentler arrangement, while 'Ambergris' breathes with delicate percussion and restrained guitar work. The interplay between instruments feels exploratory, creating an atmosphere that's simultaneously familiar and fresh. It's not just a concert captured on vinyl but a reimagining of their sound that allows the nuances of their songwriting to shine through.

Review: Craft Recordings Deluxe Edition of In Session, featuring the legendary collaboration between blues titans Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, is an important new edition of this meeting of legends. This long-awaited release arrives for the first time on triple vinyl, capturing the historic 1983 performance at CHCH-TV studios in Ontario, Canada, where the two guitarists showcased their extraordinary talents. Initially hesitant to share the stage with Vaughan, King quickly recognised the young guitarist's immense skill, leading to a profound musical dialogue that reverberates throughout this recording. The set includes the audio debut of iconic tracks such as 'Born Under a Bad Sign', 'Texas Flood' and 'I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town', offering fans an unparalleled listening experience. As they exchange licks, Vaughan breathes new life into King's classic riffs, demonstrating the evolution of their craft. The remastered performance, pressed on high-quality 180-gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket, celebrates a momentous occasion in blues history. This collection not only highlights the dynamic interplay between two guitar legends but also sets a new standard for live blues recordings.

Review: Originally released in 2016, now reissued All for You (A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio) by Diana Krall remains a timeless tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole Trio. In this album, Krall masterfully blends her piano and vocal talents, evoking the spirit of Cole without directly mimicking him. Standout tracks include the lively 'I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm,' 'Frim Fram Sauce,' and 'Hit That Jive Jack,' where her playful energy shines. Russell Malone's guitar work adds a rich layer, particularly in his standout solos. Krall's interpretations of ballads like 'I'm Through With Love' and 'If I Had You' reveal an influence reminiscent of Shirley Horn, adding depth and emotion. Supported by bassist Paul Keller and joined by pianist Benny Green and percussionist Steve Kroon on select tracks, the album's sound is both consistent and intimate, perfectly suited to Krall's style. Without the orchestral embellishments of her later work, this album highlights her jazz roots. All for You stands as one of Krall's finest achievements and a proper tribute to an all time legend.

Review: The Acoustic Sounds Series by Verve/Universal Music Enterprises reissues some of the world's most historic and best jazz records. Among these standout releases is Diana Krall's fifth studio album, When I Look in Your Eyes, originally released on June 8, 1999, by Verve Records. This album broke new ground and earned her man y accolades and loyal fans. Krall's artistry shines as she moves beyond the standard piano trio, incorporating Johnny Mandel's graceful orchestrations. The album features Krall on piano and vocals, Russell Malone on guitar, Ben Wolfe and John Clayton on bass, and Jeff Hamilton and Lewis Nash on drums. Produced by Grammy-winner Tommy LiPuma, with some tracks co-produced by LiPuma and Mandel, and recorded by Al Schmitt, When I Look in Your Eyes is a shinning example to Krall's growth as a consummate jazz artist. This reissue offers an audiophile-grade experience of this celebrated album.

Review: Jesper Kyd may not be a 'household name', but once you've encountered the Danish composer and sound designer's work you're unlikely to forget who he is or what he is capable of. Largely self-taught, he began exploring composition at an early age, by 14 was composing on a Commodore 64 and then an Amiga, and later became a member of the audio-visual computer-based artist collective Silents DK, a demogroup. Soon after that, he was collaborating with the Crionics coders. Seemingly born into the world of video game development, but from a staunchly artistic perspective, to date he's created some of the most accomplished game scores we've encountered, and 2006's Hitman: Blood Money is among them. Recorded with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, it's tense, building, grand and, even without the on-screen action, thoroughly captivating contemporary classical stuff.

Review: Kyoto Jazz Massive returns with a new era of sound. It has been 20 years since Eclipse and 19 years since Spirit of the Sun but now their highly anticipated second album, Message From A New Dawn, is finally here. This record marks an evolution of the line-up into a full band and blend of techno, jazz, house, boogie, soul, broken beats, fusion, Afrobeat, and more as Kyoto Jazz Massive presents their vision of the ultimate crossover electric jazz fusion, and featuring none other than the legendary Roy Ayers. It all adds up to a fresh take on their iconic sound, crafted to push boundaries and inspire the future of jazz.

Review: The collaboration between Kyoto Jazz Sextet and Takeo Moriyama on their album Succession delivers a mesmerising fusion of traditional and contemporary jazz. Through intricate rhythms and soulful melodies, the album offers up a seamless blend of past and present that manages to honour jazz traditions while pushing new musical boundaries. Moriyama's percussive mastery adds depth and authenticity to the ensemble's dynamic compositions and creates an immersive vibe that captivates from start to finish.

Review: This remarkable live jazz workshop brings together the talents of Yosuke Yamashita, Itaru Oki, Yuji Ohno and Kimiko Kasai for an unforgettable listen. Recorded in 1970 as part of Victor's "Japanese Jazz" series, this album showcases three powerful trios-Yamashita, Oki, and Ohno-with vocalist Kasai and each artist contributes their own unique style. Yamashita led the scene with his vibrant playing, Oki brought fresh perspectives from Osaka, Ohno's versatility spanned modern to new jazz and Kasai's vocal prowess was just beginning to bloom at this time. Together, the seven artists create a dynamic two-disc trip that is full of the famous originality and intensity of Japanese jazz.