New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 20th September 2019
It's a slightly quiet week for new recordings, but there are some interesting releases I'd like to draw your attention to including a revealing documentary about Bill Evans, some Bach-goes-Jazz, weird ruminations on Erroll Garner, and Barney Wilen live in 1991.
An insightful documentary about Bill Evans, with contributions from friends and family, and colleagues like Tony Bennett (who says that Evans was the most significant influence on his own approach to music). It’s especially successful in mapping out Evans’s later career, and the tragic toll of his demons.
Available Format: DVD Video
I was looking forward to writing a few snidey comments about this, as there's a lot Bach being 'reimagined' by classical artists who want to dabble in jazz, or vice versa, but it always helps to actually listen to something you wish to pass judgement on, and it turns out this is pretty cool. The stripped down duo format helps, with Stefan Keller's flute darting around J.S. and C.P.E. Bach's bangers like a snake trippin' its scales off, whilst Beda Ehrensperger dishes a variety of grooves. Breaks the ice at conservatoire parties.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
If you're fed up of the so-called 'classical cross-over' dross that your friends inflict upon you then play them this slab of oddness, which is just on the right side of pretentious. Based on Erroll Garner's tunes it actually engages the intellect rather than wasting everybody's time with endless arpeggios borrowed from Philip Glass.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
A complete, never before heard quartet performance by the great French saxophonist in pristine sound quality, with all tracks on the album previously unreleased. The 20-page booklet includes previously unpublished colour photos from the concert, plus special annotations by Bruno Pfeiffer, Patrick Wilen, Gilles Naturel & Olivier Hutman.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
