Featured Label,
15 Years of Edition Records
This superb British independent classes itself as a record label with a global vision. Indeed, over the past decade-and-a-half, it’s certainly proved itself more than capable of living up to its motto of 'New Music. New Thinking', with every new release a refreshing and eclectic treat. From its humble beginnings, with an output of only a small handful of albums per year, Edition Records has grown into one of the most prominent and creatively daring labels currently active at this moment in time. It's no surprise, these days, to see some of the biggest and brightest names in jazz gracing their album covers — it simply leaves you wondering which superstar they'll enlist next for their latest project.
Here are just some of our highlights from the past 15 years...
The multi-acclaimed record that helped launch the European jazz act, along with the label itself, onto the map. Jazzwise's Album Of The Year for 2010 and a sign of things to come for the group, Alive features American drummer Mark Guiliana taking over the usual seat of Anton Eger. Though currently on hiatus, this recording (along with the expanded deluxe edition released only last year) displays in retrospect just how pivotal this forward-thinking trio have been in shaping the sound and format of jazz trio of the last decade.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Available Formats: Vinyl Record, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
In addition to running the label and being responsible for producing most of its visual content, Dave Stapleton is also a pianist and composer whose many contributions appear in several different incarnations over the course of the Edition back catalogue. Not to mention his stellar role within Slowly Rolling Camera, his own experimental Cardiff-based trio, we believe that 2012's Flight comes as a crowning moment in the label-founder's oeuvre. So much more than your standard crossover-piece, the record blends modern jazz with strings and truly encapsulates the essence of Edition's intrepid soul.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Who better to bring a suite of poems by Stevie Smith, Lewis Carroll and W.B. Yeats to life than the first lady of British jazz, Norma Winstone, for her final collaboration with frequent partner Kenny Wheeler (before the incomparable Canadian trumpeter's passing the following year). What seems ineffable in scale is sumptuously carried out in execution, with a 24-piece choir matchlessly stepping up to the task.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
This moody debut album from Laura Jurd's quartet made headlines when it was nominated for the Mercury Prize back in 2017, sparking a national conversation about the genre’s position within mainstream culture and whether it might ever cast off its pseudo-cultish shackles (ie. the "token jazz album"). Critics and listeners alike had no fear, however, when it came to ranking this nonconformist ensemble, who have gone on to produce two more intriguing and inspired albums for the label.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Mullov-Abbado is one of those reputable session musicians who seemingly never turns down a gig if it means he'll explore the chance to expand himself creatively. On any given night, you'll find the bassist performing with the innovative Alice Zawadzki Trio; the next, he'll be appearing alongside folksinger Sam Lee. His group's efforts, which feature compositions and arrangements under his own name, are similarly bursting with imagination, vigour and wit.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Britain's foremost purveyor of the tenor sax, it is only right that the duty of selecting and reimagining late career highlights of John Coltrane would fall to Baptiste. Recorded some fifty years after Trane's departure from this world, this mature-sounding album features a lineup of astral proportions. The higher the risk, the greater the reward, and this album is certainly a chancer — just listen for yourself, as the crew boldly ventures into uncharted dub territories in winning fashion!
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
An office favourite here at Presto, the Nordic tuba player has all but shattered conventions of what was once deemed possible on his instrument, whilst contributing a vital new voice to the Norwegian jazz scene in the process. Vibrant, evocative and totally original, the environmental themes that permeate Herskedal's work are at once awe-inspiring and humbling, with every new release painting a more insightful image of this enigmatic musician.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
This Beninese-guitarist is widely considered to be one of the masters of his craft, and here on this solo record, he instantly proves why. Having performed with Herbie Hancock for the best part of two decades, Loueke demonstrates his own unique style as he envisions the legendary musician's best-loved compositions (as well as some of his lesser-known ones). Remixed for the dancefloor in 2022 by none other than Gilles Peterson, another respective musical trailblazer, understand for yourself why LL's indelible feel for groove has become the stuff of legend.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Available Formats: Vinyl Record, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Limited Edition Coloured Vinyl (Purple)
Available Formats: Vinyl Record, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
One of the leading players of his generation, Potter has already produced several timely and convincing efforts under Edition's remit. This broad-ranging set, recorded at the iconic New York venue, boasts a certain rawness in its unassuming simplicity. You can just feel the onstage electricity originating from the captivating interrelation of the players, before it bellows out through the immediate audience and beyond.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Another hardworking stalwart finally receiving the recognition he deserves, Donny McCaslin is not your average saxophonist. The ex-David Bowie collaborator returns here with a bombastic riot of synthesised sound and vision, blasting off for an intense cosmic caper you'd be hard-pressed to forget.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Barney Whittaker
