New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 20th September 2024
Photo by Danika Lawrence
If you're seeking fresh vistas from your jazz then this week's new releases have lots to offer. Nubya Garcia’s Odyssey pushes the boundaries of jazz with its bold mix of dub and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, while Tord Gustavsen Trio’s Seeing provides a more introspective journey through minimalist melodies. Alon Farber’s The Magician: Live in Jerusalem blends jazz with Middle Eastern influences, nodding to John Zorn’s adventurous spirit. Kirk Knuffke's Super Blonde brings a cool, groove-driven approach to trumpet-led compositions, and Markus Harm’s Out in Space offers a modern take on dynamic jazz exploration. Sun Ra's Jazz in Silhouette remains a timeless, and relatively straight ahead big band exploration, blending traditional jazz with his signature avant-garde flair. Meanwhile, Rolf Billberg’s At Subland Malmö, Sweden 1965 captures the Swedish saxophonist’s lyrical and bebop-infused playing in a live, intimate setting.
Nubya Garcia’s Odyssey is a vibrant exploration of jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and dub, featuring standout collaborations with Joe Armon-Jones, Theon Cross, and vocalists like Loyle Carner. With lush instrumentation and bold arrangements, Garcia delivers a genre-blurring, dynamic album that pushes jazz into exciting new territory.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Tord Gustavsen Trio’s Seeing is a meditative journey through minimalist jazz, blending lyrical piano, subtle bass lines, and delicate percussion. Gustavsen’s expressive touch creates an atmosphere of quiet introspection, while the trio’s interplay maintains a serene, flowing dialogue, making Seeing an evocative and emotionally rich listening experience.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Kirk Knuffke's Super Blonde is a bold, trumpet-led exploration of groove-heavy compositions. Paired with Bill Goodwin’s drumming and electric bass from Michael Formanek, the trio navigates through angular rhythms and infectious melodies. The album fuses tradition with experimentation, driving its momentum with an understated cool rather than flash.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV
One of Mr Ra's most celebrated big band sets, capturing the Arkestra just before it fully blasted off from earth into outer space. Anyone who argues that Sun Ra didn't know how to do straight ahead jazz needs to check out this masterpiece, reissued here on vinyl at a very nice price.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Sweden in the '60s was experiencing the serge of cool jazz (Tristano tradition) and saw young alto saxophonist Rolf Billberg emerged on the scene as one of its most talented practitioners. Due to his premature death at age 35 ten months after this recording his name never made it to the stardom. This hitherto unknown album is one rare testimony to the state of Swedish jazz scene. It was recorded in November 1965 privately in the legendary live/rehearsal basement club Subland in Malmo.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Beginning with Dave Douglas' contributions to John Zorn's Masada, through his seminal albums of the '90s, Israeli saxophonist Alon Farber has been deeply inspired by the beauty and uniqueness of the trumpeter's expansive sonic output. Hoping to someday find the opportunity to cross musical paths, that day came in the summer of 2023 as Douglas joined Farber's accomplished group, Hagiga (meaning, appropriately, "celebration"), at the Jerusalem Jazz Festival. Providing the band with great inspiration, Alon dubbed Douglas "the magician," as he lifted the ensemble with his presence, his tunes offering stimulating landscapes for them to explore, while Hagiga's iridescent chemistry delivered their own magic.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Markus Harm’s Out in Space offers a fresh, modern jazz experience with a strong melodic core. Harm’s expressive saxophone leads a tight ensemble through dynamic compositions, blending intricate improvisations with catchy themes. The album balances exploratory energy with polished musicianship, creating a sound that's adventurous yet grounded in structure.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
