Attention leaplings! With all our bissextile complications out the way, we present some fine, fine new jazz releases for you this week, beginning with some hot blues from Akiko Tsuruga with her Steeplechase debut, Beyond Nostalgia. Next up, Anni Kiviniemi presents the intimate Eir from her own recently-assembled trio as well. Following this, Rob Cope buddies up with several great homegrown talents for his new Gemini outfit. In addition, Angelo Verploegen recounts A Handful of Stories from his fabled career, and Paul Taylor rounds off in a much different direction to the one we began in with his solo organ album Whirl And Magnet.
Beyond Nostalgia
Akiko Tsuruga
Kicking things off is a certified swinger from this soulful Japanese organist. Hailing from Osaka, Japan’s second city, this organist quickly rose through the ranks since the dawning of the new millennium to become one of her country’s most proficient cats on her instrument. On her label debut, Tsuruga’s playing is crisp; her attitude, cool and precise. With the help of an ultra responsive combo (featuring exuberant bandmate and partner Joe Magnarelli), this session makes for one we’d very much like to be sat down in front of… With her new album, we'll gladly settle for the next best thing!
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 44.1 kHz, 16 bit)
A Handful of Stories
Angelo Verploegen
As one of the leading Dutch trumpeters around these days, Verploegen is well within his rights to be focused on capturing that elusive live atmosphere and vibe. And, with this album of originals, he achieves his task. This previous collaborator with Metropole Orkest is in fine form as he adopts a quintet to celebrate his successful run on Just Listen Records – “Five is the number,” as he puts it. His bandmates are able to find common ground through their past experiences, whilst their leader offers them the freedom to move and a chance to express themselves through a cheery sense of shared musical feeling.
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
Whirl and Magnet
Paul Taylor
The Newcastle-based keyboardist presents some occultish improvisatory takes with the help of a trusty Hammond C3 organ, located deep within the confines of the Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead). Prying itself open at first like a creaky coffin lid, this mystery box reveals much more than you might initially come to expect thanks to the daring steps taken by its solo performer – whose blistering recital is, quite frankly, breathtaking! How else might one pitch this progressive performance? We’ve got it: Hammer Horror meets Tangerine Dream.
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 48 kHz, 24 bit)
