Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Benjamin Grosvenor's latest release, the second installment in his Decca contract, showcases his exceptional talent in works for piano and orchestra. Teaming up with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under James Judd's baton, Grosvenor delivers captivating interpretations of Saint-Saens' Second Piano Concerto, Ravel's G Major Concerto, and Gershwin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue. While the combined choice of repertoire might seem unconventional, Grosvenor's artistry shines through, effortlessly transitioning between the diverse styles of each composer. His refined yet impassioned playing captivates listeners, whether navigating the lyrical passages of Ravel's concerto or infusing Gershwin's jazz-infused melodies with infectious vitality. The accompanying solo 'encores' further showcase Grosvenor's virtuosity, with standout performances of Saint-Saens' 'The Swan,' Ravel's Prelude in A Minor', and Gershwin's 'Love Walked In.' Each piece is delivered with exquisite precision and sensitivity, demonstrating Grosvenor's mastery across a range of repertoire.

Review: The most famous label in jazz celebrates a monumental 85 years in action. How else to do that than with an all star cast of giants of the genre, captured at the top of their game? Miles Davis, Theolonious Monk, John Coltrane - they don't come much more legendary than this, and this 2xCD is a comprehensive catalogue of brilliance, with the label's latter years also represented via Norah Jones and a host of others. High Spirits indeed.

Review: Here's a great example of a simple idea, brilliantly executed. It sees artists from the UK's contemporary musical underground - most, though not all, with roots in jazz - re-make tracks from the Blue Note catalogue in their own personal style. The result is a series of sublime and sometimes surprising covers, with highlights including Jorja Smith's deliciously bluesy and soulful nu-jazz take on St Germain's 'Rose Rouge', a sumptuous interpretation of Donald Byrd's smooth jazz-funk classic 'Wind Parade' courtesy of Jordan Rakei, Skinny Pelembe's Afro-tinged cosmic jazz version of the Sam Rivers Sextet's 'Illusion', a spacey, ultra-deep re-imagining of Eddie Henderson's 'Galaxy' by Alfa Mist and an incredible, classic-sounding recording of Dinah Washington favourite 'I'll Never Stop Loving You' by Yazmin Lacey.

Review: Total Refreshment Centre was a fabled jazz spot for London's urgent wave of young jazz artists bringing fresh vigour to the genre - so fabled in fact its legacy rings out way past the time the doors were closed. This compilation on Blue Note cements this idea by capturing just a little of the electricity buzzing round the place, with a vital spectrum of sounds which ping the very idea of jazz into new, exciting and crucially modern directions, with the likes of Soccer96, Byron Wallen, Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange and Neue Grafik all bringing the heat.

Review: The first Blue Note Re:imagined album was frankly brilliant - an imaginative, inspired and thoroughly brilliant set of covers of classic cuts from the label's catalogue, expertly realised by a cast of 21st century UK jazz and soul talents - so hopes are naturally high for this sequel. We shouldn't have worried, to be honest, because it's another terrific collection. Our picks of a very strong bunch include Swindle's orchestra-sporting, jazz-funk-goes-hip-hop-soul take on Donald Byrd's 'Miss Kane', Ego Ella May's gently dubby, head-nodding and sunrise-ready re-imagining of Chico Hamilton's 'The Morning Side of Love', an ultra-dreamy, pedal steel-sporting cover of 'Harvest Moon' courtesy of Maya Delilah, and a tactile neo-soul interpretation of Marlena Shaw classic 'Feel Like Making Love' by Kay Young. Impeccable.

Review: You may have caught the striking quality of Ego Ella May and Theon Cross' lead single for Blue Note Re:imagined II, and now the full compilation has arrived. For such a long-standing, heritage label, Blue Note have recognised the renewed moment jazz is having and responded with an exciting look into those artists forging new paths. Given the importance of tradition and roots within jazz, it's fascinating to see how a new generation tackle totemic works from Blue Note's gargantuan history. From Nubiyan Twist to Conor Albert, Maya Delilah to Reuben James, the featured artists serve as a crucial primer of what's good in jazz right now, and the hit rate is high from start to finish.