Alto/soprano saxophonist Sean Khan is a multi instrumentalist visionary mixing classic jazz and incredible improvisation skill. The band leader of cult British soul-jazz outfit SK Radicals, Sean Khan's debut solo record 'Slow Burner' is soulful, eclectic Blue Note standard jazz. Paying homage to Khan's jazz heroes the album comes packed with pulsating grooves that mix contemporary urban sounds with classic jazz. 'Slow Burner' features some of the best young jazz musicians on the London and European jazz scene Laurie Lowe (drums), Mike Edmonds (double bass), Susan Allotey (vocals) and Tim Lapthorne (piano)
'Slow Burner' represents Sean Khan's journey back to one of his main loves: jazz improvisation. His playing pays homage to Coltrane, Henderson, Parker and Shorter and there is also a vocal tribute to Stevie Wonder. 'What is Jazz?' is a political statement delivered via highly recognised San Francisco artist Genevieve Grant (US and UK spoken word community) reciting an essay about what jazz is and what it is becoming. The group sound gives a nod to the contemporary (hip hop, drum n bass) as well as the hard swing of New York and the almost free sound of Europe. The record features the talents of Laurie Lowe (one of the finest young drummers in Europe who has worked with Soweto Kinch and Dave O'Higgins), Mike Edmonds (double bass man for Joe Pass, Kenny Wheeler and has been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for many years), Susan Allotey (vocalist for SK Radicals and throughout Europe, and Tim Lapthorne (pianist for Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, a recording project with Eddie Henderson plus three records under his own name).
Sean Khan has released two previous albums as SK Radicals. The first, 'When Will We Belong' (People Records, 2001) was produced by Bugz in the Attic and followed by a string of 12"s on People, Swing City, & Groovement & Freestyle. SK recorded their second album 'Urban Ecletiks' (Freestyle Records, 2009), which spawned singles with remixes from Recloose and Bugz In The Attic and gave route to the Sean Khan sound of jazz steeped in soul and contemporary urban sounds.
On 'Slow Burner' Khan immerses himself in jazz to produce his finest album to date. Fitting perfectly in to the high-quality Far Out jazz sound 'Hope Not Hate' stands out as the perfect showcase for Khan's darting, genius sax solos. 'Golden Lady' a brilliant Stevie Wonder re-work - and 'Long Way To Go', which both feature the vocal talents of Susan Allotey fit perfectly with further instrumental jazz Khan originals. The album wraps up in style with Khan's take on Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson numbers; his warm and powerful sax making the songs his own. A rare excursion from Brazilian music for Far Out this fine heavyweight jazz effort fits perfectly with the label's legendary jazz-tipped artists such as Azymuth, Joyce, Marcos Valle, BGB & Irakere. A Slow Burner to savoir.
