New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 11th October 2024
This week's jazz releases offer plenty of creativity and depth. Immanuel Wilkins’ 'Blues Blood' follows his award-winning 'The 7th Hand' with a more meditative exploration of heritage, featuring his quartet and guest vocalists like Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Ashley Henry’s 'Who We Are blends' introspective lyrics with vibrant jazz, combining ethereal vocals with lush piano melodies. The Ramon van Merkenstein Trio’s 'Waiting for a Summer Storm' showcases the group’s deepening musical connection, while Ilario Ferrari’s 'Above The Clouds' merges jazz with Indian, Mediterranean, and classical influences. Joe Sanders’ 'Parallels' captures East and West Coast energies in his bold, genre-blending compositions, and 'Hello Herbie' revives a 1969 Oscar Peterson Trio recording with guitarist Herb Ellis, refreshing the pairs long-standing musical relationship.
The 7th Hand was a Presto Award winner in 2022, so we have been looking forward to Immanuel Wilkins's follow-up, Blues Blood. A more meditative offering, it features his quartet and special guest appearances including vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. A multimedia performance about the legacies of our ancestors and the bloodlines connecting us, 'Blues Blood' marks the first time Wilkins has included vocalists on an album, with each of the distinctive voices tapping into different aspects of heritage.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
London-born Ashley Henry returns with Who We Are, and album that highlights Henry's distinctive approach to music, blending introspective self-expression with vibrant jazz influences. 'Who We Are' is a rich blend of sound where Henry's ethereal falsetto meets lush piano melodies and rhythmic percussion. His self-produced compositions create an inviting sonic space that highlights his introspective lyrics and deep-rooted self-assurance.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Waiting for a Summer Storm, the latest album by the Ramon van Merkenstein Trio, reflects the group's deepening chemistry. Composed specifically to highlight their musical bond, the album explores a range of emotions, from joy to introspection. Each track tells a unique story, capturing the trio’s shared journey and the power of music to connect and inspire.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV
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Available Format: Vinyl Record
On the verge of releasing his fourth studio album, Above The Clouds, pianist and singer Ilario Ferrari has crafted a distinctive style, blending contemporary jazz with vocal harmonies and influences from Indian, Mediterranean, and classical traditions. Supported by drummer Katie Patterson and bassist Charlie Pyne, the album explores themes of relationships, love, and home through an innovative mix of instrumentals and vocal-led pieces.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Joe Sanders' third album, Parallels, showcases his unconventional career path as a bassist, composer, and bandleader. Blending live performances with Seamus Blake and Gregory Hutchinson, and studio tracks featuring Jure Pukl and Taylor Eigisti, the album unites East Coast energy and West Coast dreaminess, reflecting Sanders' diverse, adventurous musical vision.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
A delightful, good natured reunion of old friends, recorded deep in the Black Forest in 1969, Hello Herbie sees the Oscar Peterson Trio team up with guitarist Herb Ellis for a lively set of standards and originals. Long out of print, this fully deserves a new lease of life. The highlight for me is Peterson's 'Blues for H.G.' which bounces along irresistibly, somehow reminding me of early Jarrett.
Available Format: CD
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Available Format: Vinyl Record
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
