This week begins with some fresh new trumpet releases: Peter Somauh with his global blend in Walking Distance, and Bria Skonberg with her vibrant new recording Brass. Saxophonist Patrieck Bonnet and guitarist Casper Tovgaard Christensen release their shared album Wildflower, Bassist Svante Söderqvist puts the accordion front and centre in Like In The Movies, and tenor saxophonist Mark Turner returns to ECM with the cool Patternmaster. This week’s round-up concludes with the hailed return of jazz fusion band Soft Machine and their latest album Thirteen, a collection of new originals that channel their signature jazz-rock sound.
Walking Distance
Peter Somuah
Trumpeter Peter Somuah becomes the bridge between post-bop, funk, and global sounds in his latest album, Walking Distance. Uplifting and groove-driven, the album undertakes originals by Somah, all of which have developed from influences such as Miles Davis and Roy Hargrove, as well as his roots to West African music.
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 48 kHz, 24 bit)
Brass
Bria Skonberg
Released on Cellar Live, Brass is the new album from trumpeter Bria Skonberg, a groove-driven collection of originals and pre-existing compositions. With plenty of colour, this album showcases Skonberg’s ability to capture a range of tones, and gives a contemporary spin to a traditional sound.
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Wildflower
Patrieck Bonnet & Casper Tovgaard Christensen
Saxophonist Patrieck Bonnet and guitarist Casper Tovgaard Christensen unite on Wildflower, a collaboration that sees both of them contributing original compositions, alongside a couple of standards. First meeting by chance back in 2019, this album highlights the distinctive voicing of saxophone and guitar as they seamlessly come together, alongside a rhythm section of bass and drums.
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 44.1 kHz, 24 bit)
Like In The Movies
Svante Söderqvist
Bassist Svante Söderqvist’s latest project is a cinematic journey that is arranged for his trio of piano, bass, and drums – but also spotlights the accordion. Underpinned by questions that pose challenges to humanity, Like In The Movies is an experimental undertaking that incorporates Nordic elements and sounds from contemporary classical and folk music.
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Patternmaster
Mark Turner
Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner returns with his new ECM album; a record that builds on deep musical understanding amongst the players, ambitious improvisation, and the chamber music sound. Featuring Jason Palmer on trumpet, Joe Martin on doublebass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums, Patternmaster channels that traditional bop sound but maintains a cool control throughout.
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 88.2 kHz, 24 bit)
Thirteen
Soft Machine
British prog-jazz band Soft Machine release their thirteenth album, aptly named Thirteen, and features the one and only guitarist John Etheridge – a long-standing member of the group. Filled with intense and explosive solos, adventurous compositions, and their signature fusion sounds, Soft Machine make it clear they’re back with a bang.
Available format: CD
