New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-up - 4th August, 2023
Well, we've made it to August, folks! And what a month it's shaping up to be. Dee Byrne returns to form with her new Outlines project, and there's a touching debut from Berlin-based vocalist Anna Margolina. North America is represented in the form of The Peggy Lee Band, whose new record, A Giving Way, is a wonderful example of the cross-over between modern jazz and classical sensibilities. Similarly encompassing this lush style is the recent collaboration between Teitur & Aarnhus Jazz Orchestra, entitled Songs From A Social Distance. Finally, UK imprint My Only Desire Records kicks off their new series highlighting classics tunes from the golden age of British jazz — kicking off proceedings is Kevin Figes and his group, You Are Here, with Seven For Lee / Green and Orange Night Park.
The boldly enigmatic London-based saxophonist returns for an alluring new release, her first as leader since 2017. Consistently daring, the conceptual inspiration for the music of Outlines with its basis in the visual medium is one of great artistic flair. Altogether, this sextet ensemble comes as a whirling dervish through their adept skill in response to the many challenges and opportunities posed by Byrne’s enthralling compositional panache.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Emigration is the main theme underpinning the intimate debut from Berlin-based vocalist Anna Margolina, who, though Belarusian-born, resettled with her family in the German capital at an early age. Breathing life into the album's smooth arrangements, each penned by guitarist Connor Cantrell, the singer handles them with the sort of care only an authentic experience can provide as she gently retells her narrative of the search for both a new identity and a sense of belonging.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Perhaps the most pleasing feature of this charming record from the Canadian cellist and composer is its intricate attention to detail. Refreshingly creative and familiar but unafraid to step outside of its comfort zone, the group’s sixth record to date is distinctively faithful to its modernist intentions. Entrenched in a mighty jazz sound world, often giving way to neoclassical motifs, and with polished performances throughout, this is a chamber-work for the ages.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
As an artist, the Faroese-native is known for his lyrical association with the postmodern realities of 21st-century life. You may remember him from his timely collaboration with composer Nico Muhly, Confessions (“I love the smell of my printer in the morning” – yes, that one). The musician’s voice is aptly suited to the warm accompaniment of the Danish big band, which provides an hypnotic underscoring of sagely contributions to Roy Freirich’s realistic text. This topical pairing of singer and jazz orchestra is a small but comforting triumph as it navigates the ins-and-outs of one person’s existence, ultimately transforming banalities into ingenuity.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Last, but by no means least, comes the first in the new Brit Jazz 45s series, which sees contemporary acts record two classic British jazz compositions apiece, presenting them afresh to new audiences. Headed by Bristolian stalwart Kevin Figes on tenor horn, the astounding local talent on display here is remarkable in its ability to capture immortal classics in a way that revitalises them beyond mere nostalgia. First up to bat is the group’s groovy and persuasive homage to Figes’ own mentor, Elton Dean (of Soft Machine), on ‘Seven for Lee’ (1977). This is followed sumptuously by the rousing ‘Green and Orange Night Park’ (1971), originally by Keith Tippett.
Available Formats: Vinyl 7" Single, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Barney Whittaker
