Latest News: Jazz, Recording of the Week
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Recording of the Week,
Hakan Başar - Maiden Voyage 18th April 2025
Recording his debut album at only fifteen years old, Hakan Başar is a jazz pianist that should be on everyone’s radar (if he isn’t already). Now at twenty, he presents his new album Maiden Voyage with Red Records, a fantastic collection of familiar tunes that have been adapted and reshaped for his piano trio.
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Recording of the Week,
Paolo Fresu - Kind of MILES 11th April 2025
Paolo Fresu crafts a theatrical concert surrounding the legacy of Miles Davis, featuring classic material and brand new originals composed by Fresu himself. Separated into acoustic and electric sets, the Italian trumpeter and his ensemble celebrate the spirit and musical genius of the Prince of Darkness, all whilst keeping it personal and innovative.
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Recording of the Week,
Hiromi's Sonicwonder - Out There 4th April 2025
Hiromi's Sonicwonder return in their thrilling new album Out There. With fusion sounds that meet classical, funk, ska and more, Hiromi demonstrates her flair and virtuosic piano playing alongside a stellar ensemble.
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Recording of the Week,
Anouar Brahem - After The Last Sky 28th March 2025
Anouar Brahem returns to ECM in After the Last Sky, titled after a Palestinian line of verse. Poignant and melancholic, Brahem’s new project is deeply reflective and draws on a variety of musical influences for compositions that are crafted for oud, cello, piano and bass
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Recording of the Week,
Lost Threads - Daniel Sommer, Artturi Rönkä, Thommy Andersson 21st March 2025
The trio ensemble of Daniel Sommer (drums), Artturi Rönkä (piano) and Thommy Andersson (bass) come together to conclude Sommer’s musical trilogy in Lost Threads, embodying the spirit of Nordic improvisation. Prioritising ensemble interaction and spontaneity between one another, the ensemble delivers a collection of emotive and original compositions.
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Recording of the Week,
Sun-Mi Hong - Fourth Page: Meaning of a Nest 14th March 2025
Amsterdam-based drummer, Sun-Mi Hong, delivers an eagerly anticipated follow up to her 2022 album Third Page: Resonance. Released by Edition Records, Meaning of a Nest explores the South Korean’s journey from her homeland to a new environment.
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Recording of the Week,
Folk Devils - AuB 7th March 2025
AuB's Folk Devils features dynamic twin tenors by Alex Hitchcock and Tom Barford, blending intricate melodies with powerful rhythms, creating a captivating contemporary jazz experience.
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Recording of the Week,
Artemis - Arboresque 28th February 2025
The all-female jazz ensemble Artemis return with their new album Arboresque, an incredible collection of originals and arrangements that highlight the intricate ensemble interplay between some of the finest jazz stars of today.
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Recording of the Week,
Yellowjackets - Fasten Up 21st February 2025
On their 28th album in a musical career spanning decades, Yellowjackets continue to make their presence known on the jazz fusion scene in Fasten Up. Famous for their consistent ability to chart new musical paths, their latest instalment is a reminder why they're a multi-Grammy award winning ensemble.
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Recording of the Week,
Yuval Cohen Quartet - Winter Poems 14th February 2025
In his ECM debut, Yuval Cohen pushes traditional quartet boundaries in his new album Winter Poems. Leading from the front with his soprano saxophone, Cohen steers his chamber jazz ensemble through a collection of original pieces that hold improvisation and lyricism at their centre.
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Recording of the Week,
Alexander's Swing-Time Orchestra ft. Florian Bramböck - Swinging Colossus 7th February 2025
Austrian jazz saxophonist Florian Bramböck joins forces with Alexander Kuttler’s Swing-Time Orchestra in their new big band album, the aptly named Swinging Colossus. In a mixture of studio and live recordings, both Bramböck and Gstrein (lead alto) contribute original charts that are made for swinging the night away.
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Recording of the Week,
Misha Mullov-Abbado - Effra 31st January 2025
Misha Mullov-Abbado returns to the jazz scene with a tribute to the neighbourhood of Brixton in his latest album, Effra. Across a collection of different styles and sounds, the skilled bassist leads his ensemble through a musical journey of the London suburb, all whilst demonstrating his mastery of arranging and composition.
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Recording of the Week,
Jacob Wutzke - You Better Bet 24th January 2025
Canadian drummer, Jacob Wutzke, pays homage to legendary icon Tony Williams in his second album, You Better Bet. With a balance of original compositions and some standard tunes from Williams, Wutzke delivers an album that captures the Blue Note sound with a modern approach.
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Recording of the Week,
Fabienne Ambuehl - Thrive 17th January 2025
Back with her second album, pianist and vocalist Fabienne Ambuehl dazzles with her fusion of jazz and folk on Thrive. With melodic and finely tuned arrangements, Ambuehl takes her love of poetry and contrasting surroundings to deliver a high quality album, supported by a dynamic ensemble.
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Recording of the Week,
Xhosa Cole - On a Modern Genius Vol.1 10th January 2025
Previous BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year winner and saxophonist, Xhosa Cole brings a fresh new take on the classic compositions of Thelonious Monk, including "Straight No Chaser", "'Round About Midnight", and "Misterioso". Featuring both tap dancer Liberty Styles and singer Heidi Vogel, Cole transforms well known classics into something new.
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Recording of the Week,
Oz Noy - Fun One 20th December 2024
Fun One combines guitarist Oz Noy’s signature fusion style with traditional jazz, marking his debut on the prestigious Criss Cross Jazz label.
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Recording of the Week,
Alexi Tuomarila - Departing the Wasteland 13th December 2024
Departing the Wasteland celebrates 20 years of Alexi Tuomarila's core trio, while marking a fresh creative direction in contemporary jazz composition. New faces join him on this latest release, adding richness and texture through electronics and synthesized tones.
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Recording of the Week,
Out Of/Into - Motion I 6th December 2024
Out Of/Into's debut album Motion I showcases the collective's progressive sound, featuring original compositions by its members; the album embodies the Blue Note ethos, celebrating the label's 85th anniversary.
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Recording of the Week,
Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner & Peter Bernstein - Solid Jackson 29th November 2024
The powerhouse New York-based frontline of Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner and Peter Bernstein reunites with bassist Larry Grenadier for the first time in 30 years, breaking bread and recovering old ground while paving the way for fresh explorations.
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Recording of the Week,
Charlie Parker - Bird in Kansas City 22nd November 2024
Consisting of several rare, unheard performances, the early Bird doesn’t only catch the worm on this archive release, but flaunts it. This is Bird captured in his key years, 1941–1951, these primordial recordings serving as a timely reminder that there really is nothing new under the sun.
