05 Mar Billy Cobham brings masterful jazz jam to Ronnie Scott's, London | Review
Billy Cobham’s position as one of the finest drummer’s in Jazz can be traced back to the glory days of the '70s Jazz-fusion era playing on a number of seminal recordings, most notably Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew and Tribute To Jack Johnson. His foray into this new burgeoning sub-genre continued when he joined the harder rocking side of the fusionists, Mahavishnu Orchestra. Once their original line-up dissolved after three rapid and groundbreaking albums Cobham, tired of in-band fighting and being a hired hand, took the leader’s mantle and formed his own band Spectrum.
Since then he’s been firmly established as a marquee name and continues to attract sold out crowds wherever he performs - February 23, the penultimate performance of his six-night stand at Ronnie Scotts, London being no exception.
25 Feb Ahmad Jamal enchants at sold-out London show | Live Review
"All my inspiration comes from Ahmad Jamal" - high praise indeed from anyone but when it comes from an esteemed voice such as Miles Davis, you get an idea of how much a talent Ahmad Jamal is and the kind of influence he’s had on the Jazz world down the years.
Now in his 83rd year, Jamal continues to regularly tour the globe and release albums to critical acclaim. In support of last year’s Grammy nominated Blue Moon, Jamal on the Grand piano and his trio - double bassist Reginald Veal, drummer Herlin Riley and percussionist Manuel Badrena - entertained a sold out Barbican on February 8th for what turned out to be an unforgettable night.
29 Nov Esperanza Spalding at London Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall | Live Review
The London Jazz Festival is known for bringing together the best in new talent and legends of the genre to perform in various venues across the capital over a packed nine-day period. This year was no exception, with the likes of Sonny Rollins and Herbie Hancock joined by one of Jazz’s newest and brightest star’s - Esperanza Spalding. The impressive, grandiose yet intimate setting of the Royal Festival Hall played host to her immense talents as she returned to London for another stop on her Radio Music Society tour on November 15th.
18 Oct Femi Temowo : Get Familiar
It's probably about time that you're introduced to Femi Temowo. The Nigerian-born guitarist (and producer) is amongst the most talented jazz musicians currently residing in the UK. Fittingly, he's just been nominated for a MOBO in the Best Jazz Act category.
14 Sep Selah Sue – 'Selah Sue' | Album Review
A soulful musician and songwriter with a distinctive voice, built with obvious reggae influences in articulation and phrasing, Selah Sue offers her soulful, jazz-infused debut album. The self-titled LP went multi-platinum in her native country Belgium and peaked in the top ten of the Dutch and French albums chart, where she has been elevated as huge star, before embarking on worldwide release.
10 May Manu Dibango at Ronnie Scott's, London | Live Review
Best known for his much-sampled dance floor funk bomb “Soul Makossa" [that Michael Jackson got sued for unauthorized use of in “Wanna Be Starting Something"], Manu Dibango is among a small illustrious group of musicians who’ve managed to sustain their career into a fifth decade. The Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player blends Afrobeat, jazz and funk together for an original sound - which we heard in all its brilliance in London on May 4th; the second of a sold out three night stand at the legendary music institution Ronnie Scott’s.
14 Nov Gregory Porter: “People who listen to soul driven music should look for it in all genres”
To be quite honest, I'd never heard of Gregory Porter before. Although he was tipped by UK pianist Jamie Cullum, I just figured that it was another weightless promotion by the industry in order to sell records. However, after listening to his debut album Water, and watching Gregory Porter perform live, I was proved wrong. This jazz singer’s got something special.
19 Jul Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma | Album Review
Flying Lotus raised the height of his electro-sonic game when he released in May this year his second full-length album Cosmogramma on Warp records, an unusual album through-in and through-out its content, style and visual form (with artwork by Leigh J. McCloseky, look up Codex Tor!).
Cosmogramma is constructed by 17 pieces, from 17 seconds to 3 minutes 20 sections; each piece titled and punctuated by unexpected wording ('Pickled!' , 'Nose Art', 'Table tennis', etc). This is not a new feature of Flying Lotus' touch however, rather it is the mark of his ever productive bend, present and evolving ever since his first dubsteps. As random as these uncategorisable tiny timed pieces and their longer siblings appear at first, they always self-audio explain their unique character as soon as you will hit play, thus falling tightly snug into the seat-beat that Flying Lotus has composed, for them, and in them.
Cosmogramma is a space opera, thus has Warp records presented it. When it was released to the press it was handed as a one long play, a very fitting format because, although dividable in the said 17 parts, each track runs inside and outside of its selves, like natural phrases in the logic of poetics rather than synthetic broken units.
Haven't listened to it yet? Let us tempt you...
30 May The SoulJazz Orchestra – Rising Sun | Album Review
The Souljazz Orchestra is already onto their fourth album release with LP Rising Sun, on Strut Records, carving onto their famous love for Afro, jazz and Latin beats a new bright cast. Concentrating on jazz this album round, SoulJazz carry their militant lyrics only in black and white notes as this album is all instrumental.
SoulJazz is a surprising sextet in that it features no strings: no guitar and no bass. Instead this Ottawa band gives full stage to vocals and a genial saxophone range - with three saxophonists on tenor, baritone and alto - plus three acolites on vintage keyboard, percussion and drums. Transposing renowned melodies into colourful fresh jams