Latest News: Jazz, Blue Note (label)
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Recording of the Week,
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels - Tone Poem 30th April 2021
Saxophonist Charles Lloyd takes on Monk and Coleman via bluesy Americana with his quintet The Marvels, featuring Bill Frisell.
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Recording of the Week,
Dr. Lonnie Smith - Breathe 9th April 2021
The Hammond B3 master's latest mostly-live record is an unashamedly fun listen, with a novel addition to the proceedings in the form of an Iggy Pop collaboration.
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Classic Recordings,
Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil 1st December 2020
Wayne Shorter's seminal album was the third in a prolific six years of recordings for Blue Note, and while Speak No Evil still retains the accessibility of early hard bop, it also showcases the saxophonist's unique and unorthodox compositional style.
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Recording of the Week,
Blue Note Re:imagined 16th October 2020
The cream of the crop from the UK's vibrant jazz scene find inventive new ways to re-imagine classics from the Blue Note vaults on this varied and entertaining collection.
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Classic Recordings,
Horace Silver Quintet - Song for My Father 7th October 2020
A hard bop classic inspired by the pianist's cultural heritage, Song for My Father is one of the most influential cuts of the era.
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Recording of the Week,
Gregory Porter - All Rise 28th August 2020
Gregory Porter's latest studio album is his most celebratory yet. Returning listeners will no doubt appreciate the allusions to past successes like Take Me to the Alley and Liquid Spirit, while this lush new studio orchestra and powerful songs will delight new and old fans alike.
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Recording of the Week,
Bill Frisell - Valentine 21st August 2020
Bill Frisell's new record gives us the most succinct version of the veteran guitarist's recent sound to date, in a stripped-down trio format. However, there's still plenty to enjoy with this familiar sound.
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Recording of the Week,
Immanuel Wilkins - Omega 14th August 2020
Omega is both a bold and personal statement for the young saxophonist, backed by a trio of accomplished up-and-coming players on his debut record.
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Classic Recordings,
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage 9th July 2020
Herbie Hancock's nautical concept album remains some of the eminent pianist and composer's most enduring work from his early period, a culmination of his time spent with Miles Davis and honing his sound on the prestigious Blue Note label.
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Classic Recordings,
The Amazing Bud Powell Volumes 1 & 2 19th June 2020
Matt revisits timeless recordings from the genius who defined bebop piano, Bud Powell.
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Classic Recordings,
McCoy Tyner - The Real McCoy 6th March 2020
It was a sad coincidence to hear of McCoy Tyner's passing shortly after posting this Classic Album Review of The Real McCoy. Thankfully Tyner's wonderful 60-year contribution to music lives on.
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Classic Recordings,
Joe Henderson - Inner Urge 4th September 2019
One of the tenor players most enduring sessions, Inner Urge has lost none of its freshness over the past 50 years.
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Artist Profile,
Jimmy Smith 20th June 2019
Another week, another new article heading, this one incorporating Classic album of the Week (it's their fault for showing me how to add categories). Jimmy Smith transformed the Hammond organ into a pukka jazz beast, so let's go Back to the Chicken Shack with Jimmy and also indulge in a brief(ish) history of the mighty B3, and its dark twin, the Leslie cabinet.
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Classic Recordings,
Out to Lunch 20th March 2019
Matt revisits one of the true landmarks of modern jazz, Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch.
