New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 19th July 2024
Get ready to slap on that sunscreen before tuning in to this scorching selection of new releases! Norwegian icon Karin Krog comes to us Live from Oslo's trendy nightclub Blå, whilst UK jazz hero Mark Lockheart keeps spirits raised with SMILING. William Parker's Heart Trio sees the American free-jazz caretaker reunite with old friends for a lovingly immersive trip, and London-based Kessoncoda announce their cinematic brand of nu-jazz on Outerstate. Finally, Russian-born pianist Misha Tsiganov reveals himself to be an adept Painter of Dreams. Enjoy!
Norway’s most prolific jazz vocalist and one of our favourite artists, the unstoppable Karin Krog is on top form for this fabulous pre-pandemic performance. Having never intended to release this well-oiled gig with her regular partners, guitarist Staffan William-Olsson and bassist Terje Gewelt, it was only when sound engineer Peter Hurst revealed he had been recording all along that the legendary singer decided it would make a fitting release on Meantime Records, her own privately-run label. Throughout the concert, Krog reflects on her niche songbook with classy wisdom, interpreting modern classics from Joni Mitchell to Cole Porter and Michel Legrand in her own disarming way. The trio are well at home within this intimate setting, the local Oslo crowd showing a devout appreciation of their talents.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV
As an original member of the eclectic Loose Tubes big band-orchestra, this UK saxophonist has gone on to record with almost everyone from June Tabor to Radiohead. Maintaining the heavier edge of his earlier work with post-jazz quintet Polar Bear, Lockheart returns with an imaginative slice of uplifting jazz rock fusion for our times. Supplied with an arsenal of musical positivity, he calls on a diverse cast of gifted ensemble players – some of whom, in the case of Dinosaur trumpeter Laura Jurd, Mark had the good fortune of teaching. With its infectious energy, this album’s radical optimism truly gets under the skin.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
If it’s world-class instrumentalists you're after, look no further than the latest album from this Russian-born ivory tinkler. Having called New York his home since 1991, Tsiganov’s most recent Criss Cross recording (and his fifth as leader for the label in twice as many years) is a brilliant cross-section of contemporary American jazz royalty. This session is made all the more poignant in that it features formidable saxophonist Chris Potter, who made his first appearance on Gerry Teekens’ imprint over three decades ago. Together, the immaculate sextet are augmented by Dutch singer-lyricist Hiske Oosterwijk, who boosts the Peterich pianist’s Minimoog moments and Rhodes repetitions.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
The American musician began his career under the tutelage of a handful of double bass greats, including Jimmy Garrison, Wilbur Ware and Richard Davis. Breaking into the world of the avant-garde alongside Cecil Taylor in the 1980s, Parker would soon come to be regarded as the unofficial mayor of New York’s improvisational scene. His latest album, which comes off the back of his receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at Vision 2024, is a beautiful exploration of unearthly woodwind sonorities. Longtime collaborator Hamid Drake supports amicably on percussion, whilst Cooper-Moore’s hand-crafted harp accrues further gallivanting mileage.
Available Format: CD
Hailing from West London, these boys and their fresh sound have become the latest Gondwana recruits to grace our eardrums. Recorded in a shed at the bottom of drummer Tom Sunney’s garden, the vivid debut from this duo of best friends sees them join the glistening ranks of labelmates Svaneborg Kardyb, Hania Rani and Jasmine Myra, whose purifying sax tones also feature on the track ‘Dreambend’. Filip Sowa handles his keyboard duties with orchestral aplomb, melding seamlessly with his partner’s steady cadences on this jazztronic journey. Ones to watch on the live circuit, for sure!
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Barney Whittaker
