New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 2nd February 2024
Well, it looks like we survived January. And what have we got to show for it? I'll tell you — some of the finest new jazz releases around! If you're not impressed by frequent mentionee Ingrid Laubrock's Monochromesi, we suggest you try Emil Ingmar's new celestially-inspired album Pleiades. How about some sultry vocals from Mette Juul on Celeste or Here It Is, the latest scorcher from Charles Owen? You could even run wild with Reinhardt Winkler on Drop Me Off. The sky really is the limits!
Reintroducing an artist we simply can’t get enough of at Presto HQ, here’s Ingrid Laubrock with another daring avant-jazz performance piece recorded under her own leadership. Consisting of four contrasting sections contained within a single continuous track, this spirited piece speaks to New York’s cutting-edge legacy of radical art. No stranger to the sonically extreme, the saxophonist assembles janky tape pieces as she stands in the crossfire of this electrifying ensemble. From its introduction of discordant accordion clusters pumped out with the voracity of a cathedral organ to the final revel amidst the shimmering brilliance of Harry Bertoia’s sonambient sculptures, this album is not to be missed!
Available Format: CD
The sixth album from this Danish chanteuse is a beguiling offering, largely consisting of a set of timeless standards from the American Songbook. The instrumentation is sparse but effective, with even Juul’s own mature vocals surrendering in places to the hushed restraint this recording ultimately possesses. Her voice a luscious wisp of velvet, she truly commits herself to the lyrics, understanding them both inside and out. ‘There’s a line between love and fascination,’ she sings on ‘My Foolish Heart’, and it’s this ambiguity of this mysterious romance that Juul injects with her own magnetic resonance.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
For the second full-length release to his name, this Swedish jazz pianist looks to the stars. Taking in the awe-inspiring magnitude of the night sky, Ingmar's conceptual album glows like a comet as it travels from one thematic construct to the next. It has a lot to say, both in terms of its emotion and production that you can't help but get sweeped up by on occasion. Pleiades' more palpable moments combine with a vivid tenderness to reveal a compositional voice headed for the stratosphere. And, it's another fine performance and production credit for drummer Calle Rasmusson, who got a mention last week for his work with Svante Söderqvist.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Placing the horn front and centre, this uncompromising new album from the reputable tenor saxophonist features a set of familiar classics and recent favourites. The rhythm section (no bass? No need, thanks to Andrew Randazzo's Charlie Hunter-esque hybrid guitar) drive this soulful experience to its rockier conclusions, resulting in a series of headbangs of varying intensity. With DJ Harrison's propulsive poundings, this album is next best thing to sitting in the front row at one of Owens' very own live engagements — which must prove to be even more of a riot.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The Austrian drummer sits behind the wheel of a large automobile, setting it to cruise control as he luxuriously chauffeurs you on this relaxing outing. Leisurely and fun, you can tell he enjoys what he does with an enormous sense of satisfaction and pride radiating off each take. Vocalist Simone Kopmejer comfortably rides shotgun, fully taking up her position with dedicated passion on two exquisite numbers that close the album. With its lineup each bringing their A-game, this middle-of-the-road adventure is a well-tapered affair.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Barney Whittaker
