New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 18th March 2021
For this week’s round-up of recent releases, we start off with saxophonist Logan Richardson’s Afrofuturism, a record that embraces modern sounds alongside contemporary American jazz. The new release from saxophonist Charles Lloyd and The Marvels features some Americana-blended jazz with tunes by Ornette Coleman and Thelonious Monk alongside Lloyd’s originals, and Norwegian improvisatory group Erlend Apneseth Trio’s latest recording on Hubro is a nice slice of rhythmic electronic-acoustic meshing. Pat Metheny’s latest album, Road to the Sun, doesn’t feature the man himself on it per se, instead being comprised of two works for solo classical guitar and ensemble, recorded by Jason Vieaux and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Finally, the band Tricotism graduate from their Oscar Peterson fascination and take on some alternative tunes in their tried-and-true jazz trio.
The latest release from American saxophonist Logan Richardson sees him embracing contemporary sounds of funk, alternative rock, synth-laden electronica and even some modern classical. You’ll find upbeat, funky numbers back-to-back with gorgeous swelling synthesisers and even some hip-hop beats, with Logan himself playing not only saxophone but all the keys throughout the album. Originally released on Richardson’s own label, Wax Industry, this CD and vinyl release comes courtesy of Whirlwind Recordings.
Available Format: CD
Afrofuturism releases on vinyl on March 26th, and is currently available for pre-order.
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
Off the back of their Nordic Prize-nominated release, 2019’s Salika, Molika, the latest recording from the Erlend Apneseth Trio was initially commissioned for Norwegian contemporary dance group FRIKAR, with the trio further expanding on the works in the studio and allowing it to evolve into the full studio recording we have today. The work is intensely rhythmic, mirroring FRIKAR’s initial inspiration behind the project - the covering and presentation of the body throughout different cultures. Featuring an intriguing blend of electric and acoustic instrumentation, as well as intensely rhythmic pieces. Electronic beats and folk instrumentation sit side-by-side on Lokk for some steady electroacoustic improvisation that manages to be both rhythmic and melodic, avoiding the chaos of other improvised works.
Available Format: CD
The ever-prolific, 20-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny’s latest recording features two new works composed and performed by Jason Vieaux and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on side A and B respectively, though the man himself doesn’t feature much on the album itself. The two works - ‘Four Paths of Light’ and ‘Road to the Sun’ - see Metheny dipping into more contemporary classical territory, stepping back from playing and recording to flex his compositional chops for classical guitar. Metheny does appear on the final track, however, performing Arvo Pärt’s ‘Für Alina’ on his signature 42-string guitar - a mesmerising interpretation of the piece.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Named after the Oscar Peterson tune of the same name, Tricotism themselves cite the Oscar Peterson / Joe Pass / Ray Brown trio as one of their key inspirations. On their second recording, however, the trio turn their ears to other works, though the two Peterson tunes ‘L’Impossible’ and ‘Love Ballade’ still make an appearance. Pianist Craig Milverton, guitarist Nigel Price and bassist Sandy Suchodolski offer some tasteful interpretations of Gershwin, Navarro and others. All esteemed players in their own right, the trio themselves are now well-honed since their inception in 2013.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Joshua Lee - Jazz Content
