New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 9th February 2024
This week, we round things up starting with Fabiano Do Nascimento's ambient adventure on Mundo Solo. Next, the Doncaster Jazz Alumni presents their 50 Years celebration in tribute to their association's founder, John Ellis. Australian newcomers Tourismo take us for a spin with Torque, and the Swedish quartet Ellas Kapell offer stunning (and often suprising) renditions of classic jazz standards on For All We Know. Finally, Germana Stella La Sorsa presents her sophomore album Primary Colours, a sure-fire statement of her confident stature in amongst London's top jazz cats.
This just in from our favourite Brazilian seven-string guitarist and co-recipient of our most recent Recording of the Week. If you enjoyed Do Nascimento’s compelling stringwork in collaboration with Sam Gendel on The Room, why not get to know his discography better by exploring his most recent solo effort. Combining ambient stillness with calmingly pensive grooves, the musician envisions a creative world of his own organic making. It's a pleasure to be welcomed inside.
Available Format: CD
What better way to celebrate the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association's golden anniversary than with this bumper release, packed full to the brim with good cheer and swinging vibes. All throughout its substantial career, the Yorkshire-based jazz establishment and its associated youth orchestra have helped provide some of the finest upcoming players the opportunity to kindle their burgeoning love for this music with a nurturing sense of passion. It’s only right that they gather forces under the direction of alumnus Reuben Fowler here for this well-rounded set of extensive big band highlights.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
This electric jazz ensemble from down under is the freshest thing to come out of Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music in recent years. Certainly living up to their name, their music is injected with sizzling interplay and camaraderie one finds amongst friends. The album packs heat in several different ways, from its complex time signatures to its convincingly forceful drive. The coupe that occupies its futuristically domestic artwork is a telling hint at the boys' switched-on approach to getting the job done and having a blast while they're at it.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
They’re standards, but not as we know them! This charming Swedish quartet has made a name for themselves after crafting two full length albums of thoroughly refreshing takes on some of the best-known jazz tunes out there. Since there exists no definitive list of what constitutes a ‘standard’ officially, it makes sense that numbers from the canon should be open for novel reimaginings. Served in no small part by the steadfast vocals of Lovisa Jennervall, the group updates them for a whole new audience whilst staying true to their repertoire’s timeless charm.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The Italian vocalist relocated to London in 2017 and we’re all the better for her unmistakable presence on the scene. Her poetically interpretive singing - perhaps most appropriately displayed on the track ‘Yellow’, a hypnotic interpretation of William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ - is often dreamy and inspiring… even more so with the adeptly progressive musical accompaniment she gathers here on record. Tom Ollendorf shimmers on guitar whilst organist Sam Leak manages to avoid all the cliches his instrument might throw in his way, coolly elevating the combo to a higher plane altogether.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Barney Whittaker
