New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 26th April 2024
What a right shopping list we have for you this week! Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy, David Crosby) enlists the help of The Untold Orchestra on Bloom, the debut album of his own work for ACT Music. Danish pianist Rasmus Sørensen's first two albums are out now, with his debut Traits receiving a tasty first pressing along with his latest effort, Balancing Act. Introducing Irma Neumüller is another great first outing for this fine young singer already making waves on the continent. Verve's popularGreat Women of Song series continues with new discs highlighting Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae, whilst French pianist Jacky Terrasson's latest album Moving On is a wicked race around the mind of a musician that is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Last but not least, For The Dreamers from the Simon Lasky Group is another compelling statement that finds harmony between a committed troupe of electrifying UK and American players. Enjoy!
Large-scale works have been making a comeback on the jazz scene over recent years and, frankly, our ears all the better for it! This Snarky Puppy pianist has made a new home for himself on ACT since signing to the European record company and releasing Wish You Were Here with bandmate Michael League last year. He now makes his label debut as leader in collaboration with the Manchester-based Untold Orchestra for an album Laurance calls ‘the most classic sounding one [he’s] ever made’. By combining his chameleonic musical sensibilities with this luscious string ensemble, the classically-trained composer creates a modern canvas of romantic feeling and drama.
Available Format: CD
Two-for-one from this one to watch! In support of his latest trio album Balancing Act, April Records have also announced the first ever physical run of the young Danish pianist’s debut Traits. Whether recording in New York or his native country, the musician carries the timeless creative spirit of the city where studied. Sørensen’s music is deeply reflective and original, poignantly contrasting his Scandinavian background with the metropolitan pace of life he has come to know in the Big Apple. He latterly switches up the run of original compositions on his first album with a pair of cherry-picked tunes from John Coltrane and Duke Pearson, modestly displaying his relative comfort and strength in both the American and European jazz traditions.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Still in the midst of her studies at the Jazz Institut Berlin, this upcoming Swedish vocalist has already received heaps of praise and critical recognition along the way. With a sound that gives a nod to the history of jazz but an attitude that’s completely her own, her debut album makes for a highly memorable first encounter – both as a gifted singer and talented songwriter. Showcasing her bilingual abilities with almost every other track, it’s astonishing to consider the fact that each of these emotionally mature tunes came from the same heart, mind and soul. A terrific feat, with possibly even more room to grow.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Hot off the success of last year’s launch of this new series that highlights the greatest female vocal jazz stars of the 20th century, who better to feature than the First Lady of Song herself. The latest addition to these superlative compilations includes many of the favourite recordings made across Miss Ella’s lengthy career, with signature tunes like ‘Cheek To Cheek’, ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ and ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’ all making an appearance (and it wouldn’t be proper if Satchmo didn’t show up either). Also worth mentioning is the new selection honouring Carmen McRae, an equally iconic figure whose influence is still felt to this day. These new releases from Verve offer warm slices of these extraordinary divas in a variety of familiar musical settings.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Having previously been a mainstay of the Blue Note and Impulse! roster, each new album from this illustrious French musician provides an exciting glance at the evolving role of the piano in jazz. His output carries a distinctly Parisian quirk, and his work regularly features some of the finest supporting players l’Hexagone has to offer. Bluesy and fresh, he has come to be known for his uplifting takes on popular music inside and out of the jazz canon. Just to give you an idea of Terrasson’s world, it’s not unusual to witness Pharrel’s ‘Happy’ going toe-to-toe with standards such as ‘Misty’ and ‘Solar’ – and, unsurprisingly, it works!
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Our final choice this week comes from a transatlantic expat with a lot to say. On his latest record, the native Londoner assembles a band of five-star Floridians (having relocated to the sunshine state to pursue an academic fellowship in jazz studies before the pandemic). Under the tutelage of the Grammy-nominated composer Chuck Owen, Lasky’s new project reflects this latest stage of his journey, with some of his own arrangements being recorded for the very first time! Unifying his connections across the pond, the pianist brings together a vast array of prodigious talent for an octet album that extends well beyond the sum of its parts – even reconnecting with one of his personal UK jazz heroes, saxophonist Tim Garland.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Barney Whittaker
