Carolyn Hume and Paul May: Shape of the Night (Leo Records. Album review by Phil Johnson) Starting with their critically-acclaimed debut, ‘Zero, released in the year 2000, the duo of pianist Carolyn […]
‘The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins’
The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins, edited by Sam V.H. Reese(New York Review Books. Book review by Phil Johnson), I suppose there must have been other moments in life when I felt as […]
Gypsy Jazz Festival of London (6-12 May)
A seven-day festival across six venues in London… stars from the ‘gypsy jazz’ scene such as violinist Tcha Limberger and guitarist Stochelo Rozenberg – “second to none, a phenomenal guitarist who’s a […]
Shabaka – ‘Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace’
Shabaka – Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (Impulse!. Album review (from vinyl) by Phil Johnson) The vinyl edition of Shabaka Hutchings’ album is a thing of beauty. Thick cardboard gatefold sleeve, […]
John Tchicai – ‘In Monk’s Mood’ (rec. 2008)
John Tchicai – In Monk’s Mood (SteepleChase G1675. Album review from vinyl by Phil Johnson) The vinyl revival is helping to unearth some real treasures. I was previously unaware of the existence […]
Fred Hersch – ‘Silent, Listening’
Fred Hersch: Silent, Listening (ECM 2799. Album review (*) by Phil Johnson) As you would probably expect, pianist Fred Hersch’s first solo album for ECM, recorded in May last year, is a […]
Arve Henriksen, Harmen Fraanje – ‘Touch of Time’
Arve Henriksen, Harmen Fraanje – Touch of Time (ECM. Album review by Phil Johnson) In great contrast to Arve Henriksen’s last ECM album as a leader, the very maximalist (for him) “Cartography” […]
Vinicius Cantuaria – ‘Psychedelic Rio’
Vinicius Cantuaria: Psychedelic Rio (Sunnyside Records. Album review by Phil Johnson) Why Brazilian master musician Vinicius Cantuaria (b.1951) isn’t more celebrated is another of life’s unfairnesses. He’s a very accomplished composer, singer […]
Christian McBride, Edgar Meyer – ‘But Who’s Gonna Play the Melody?’
Christian McBride, Edgar Meyer – But Who’s Gonna Play the Melody? (Mack Avenue. Album review (*) by Phil Johnson) Unless you’re a double bass player yourself, the idea of an hour-long duet […]
Alice Coltrane – ‘The Carnegie Hall Concert’ – Rec. 1971
Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Impulse!. Album review by Phil Johnson) Recorded in 1971 at a benefit for the Integral Yoga Institute and now released in full for the first […]
Kahil El’ Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – ‘Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit’
Kahil El’ Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit(Spiritmuse, CD. Review by Phil Johnson) Percussionist and composer Kahil El’ Zabar – an ex-chair of Chicago’s legendary […]
Paul Dunmall Quintet / Ed Puddick /Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band – ‘Soultime Again’
Paul Dunmall Quintet with Ed Puddick and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band – Soultime Again(Stoney Lane. Album review by Phil Johnson) Everyone should know that Paul Dunmall is one of the […]
Roberta Flack – ‘Lost Takes’
Roberta Flack – Lost Takes (Arc Records 004. Double LP. Vinyl review by Phil Johnson) First time on vinyl for these nine demo tracks recorded six months before Flack’s 1969 million-selling debut […]
QOW Trio – New Album on Ubuntu, ‘The Hold-Up’, and touring
“Playing with QOW Trio has reinvigorated my playing and musical career,” says veteran drummer Spike Wells. The multi-generational group’s second album, ’The Hold Up’ is released on Ubuntu Music on 26 January, […]
Erskine & Kavuma – ‘Ultrasound’
Erskine & Kavuma – Ultrasound (Banger Factory Records. Album review by Phil Johnson) You expect new jazz albums to be good, bad or indifferent according to taste – but joyous and life-affirming […]