Review: The reissue of James Dallas' 'Life Forms' by Tidal Waves Music brings back to life a hidden gem in the realm of jazz, funk and soul. Originally released in 1982 and completely self-funded with the help and encouragement of his peers and family, the album captures Dallas' innovative ability to sculpt sonic landscapes that were way ahead of his time and still remain fresh now. Each track on the long player is a mesmerising blend of ethereal textures with rhythmic pulses that result in immersive sounds and come with assistance from Earl Thompson on percussion, Myron McClain and Noland Clark on drums, Rick Lacey and Robert Walls Jr. on guitar, Jake Simmons and Kevin Whitehead on bass.
Review: Over the years, we've been treated to numerous recordings of Gerry Mulligan and his quartet in concert, most famously in Paris in 1954. The concert captured on this recording - released here for the first time after its rediscovery a year or two back - dates from 1959, was captured on tape in a legendary Copehagen jazz club and features fellow legend Art Farmer on trumpet. Aside from two tracks in which Mulligan switches to piano, the album's key motif is the interplay between Mulligan's impeccable baritone saxophone (sounding a little more soulful than on some recordings) and Farmer's fluid - if sometimes exuberant - trumpet solos. Full of elongated, stretched-out takes full of inspired interpretations of jazz standards and classic catalogue cuts, In Concert is a must-check for dedicated jazz heads.
Review: Limited edition 7" comes in just 500 copies and features the American soul-jazz band from San Diego, California, known as The Greyboy Allstars. Memners Karl Denson, Elgin Park, Aaron Redfield, Chris Stillwell and Robert Walter have released six albums to date and originally formed as a backing band for rare groove star DJ Greyboy. Here though is the title track of their 'A Town Called Earth' long player from 1997 and it is one that is sure to appeal to jazz and funk heads who enjoy Pharaoh Sanders and Thembi. The band played seven live-streams during the pandemic and proved they still very much have it.
Review: Rio de Janeiro's Grupo Ebano is an all-female gospel vocal collective that dropped their self-titled debut album back in 1997. It only came on CD and in limited runs but is one that has grown and grown in terms of allure for collectors so now BBE have pressed it up to wax. It blends the best of boss nova and MPB across a suite of all-original songs written by band leader Gil Miranda. They are all hugely melodic and stylish with hints of 60s and 70s Brazilian classics that deliver positive, uplifting and soulful messages in the lyrics. It's a sure-fire winner with both tastemakers and dancers alike.
Review: Akira Ishiguro's Bon is a limited new album on Somethin' Cool that explores a vibrant mix of jazz style sin a timeless fashion. Each piece is an original work from Ishigurom that he says has been fully inspire day the Leo of his wife and daughter. It has a cosmic bent in many places, with celestial and busy melodies heading off to the stars of broken beat rhythms. Electric guitars, tenor and alto sax, bass, percussion and trumpets all get played by a fine ensemble alongside Ishiguro himself to make this one of the best new albums of the year so far.
Review: American composer Harry James hails from the southside of Chicago and is known for self-recording acoustic piano and percussion using analogue tools and techniques. His latest long player Off The Record is another one made on Tascam 4 Track and is full of warmth and familiar feelings. It is couched in jazz and broken beat stylings but very much colours outside the usual lines in terms of both sound and technique. It's raw, busy, off-the-cuff and full of life, with his friends Gerald Bailey, Rob Frye, Keefe Jackson and Dave McDonnell also featuring.
Review: Led by visionary trumpet player Mark Kavuma, this album shows the immense talent of London's jazz scene, blending seasoned musicians with the new generation. Kavuma's ensemble, The Banger Factory, has grown from a quintet to a 20-plus collective, championing diversity and nurturing young talent. The album features original compositions from Kavuma and his bandmates, alongside well-chosen covers, all imbued with a contemporary jazz spirit wrapped in vintage influences. The arrangements are rich and varied, with tracks that evoke hard bop, soul and more modern styles. Highlights include Musshinghi Brian Edwards' hard-driving 'Wayward Return', which features impeccable solos from trumpet, alto sax and piano and the smooth vocal tracks 'Fools Rush In' and 'Evenin'', both brimming with vintage charm. Standout performances from saxophonists Ruben Fox and Theo Erskine, guitarist Artie Zaitz and vocalist Sahra Gure bring depth and dynamism. The album's diverse lineup shines throughout, with each musician given space to contribute their unique voice. The rhythm section, in particular, deserves special mention for its inventiveness and tightness. Kavuma's meticulous arrangements ensure that every track feels cohesive and engaging, making this a captivating celebration of both jazz tradition and innovation.
Review: American-Danish jazz pianist Kenny Drew grew up in the US, but he truly took flight as a prominent artist after relocating to Copenhagen in the 60s where he argued he was able to enjoy more freedom as an artist than if he had stayed in New York. Dark Beauty arrived in 1974 in the midst of a prolific run as Drew settled into his stride with Danish label SteepleChase. The trio is completed by Albert Heath on drums and close collaborator Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass, and stands proud as one of the great examples of Drew’s talents at their peak.
Review: A stunning album of big band music from Finnish composer, Kerkko Koskinen, featuring Linda Fredriksson on saxophone and the UMO Helskinki Jazz Orchestra, Agatha 2 is a sequel of sorts to their original Agatha album released in 2007. Tracing Koskinen's signature immensely emotive and dramatic approach to composition, this album sits beautifully between moody atmospheres and fully immersive rushes of cinematic sound. It is clear that Fredrikkson and Koskinen share a clear vision with her solo performances shining against the undulating orchestral backdrop. Taking on a distinctly melancholic and nostalgic mood, especially with the pieces 'Promenade' and 'Piana', the drums are positioned at a purposeful distance to the driving dynamics of the composition, adding a hint of melodic colour to the overall piece rather than being a central force. An inventive project that journeys forwards and backwards in time.
Review: Tullio De Piscop is an Italian drummer of some repute. He worked solo and with his quartet and interest in his records, many of which were recorded back in the 70s, has piqued recently resulting in a load of reissues. Sotto E 'Ncoppa is one of them and it was recorded back in 1976 and has since gone up in value and rarity. It's a jazz-rock fusion album with a whole host of electric guitar, bass, saxophones and pianos on it that embelish each cut and make the whole thing packed with detail.
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