Review: Peter Evans - Extra (We Jazz Records)

Acclaimed trumpet player, improvisor, and composer based in New York City Peter Evans makes his We Jazz Records debut with 'Extra'.

The band formation includes Evans on trumpet, Petter Eldh (Koma Saxo / Post Koma) on bass and Jim Black on drums

The Amercican trumpeter is very well know in the world of free jazz improvisations but he's nothing less than full of surprises on 'Extra' as this "gutsy new band that gets right to work with his eight new compositions". Recorded at the Namouche Studio in Lisbon all the tracks have an ingrained feeling "where all musicians are pushing for the new together with great excitement".

And you'd expect nothing less from We Jazz, but hang on, the opener 'Freaks' has a genuine 100 mph jazzdance vibe with the bass running away with the drums and Evans on blistering form. Take a breather and rewind.  And go again with 'In See' as they're still at it with Evans sounding like Don Cherry playing Albert Ayler; love the touch of echo that's reflected in the album artwork - not sure about the oranges.

'Boom' is a start towards more experimental,'Nova' is a haunting gamelan-esque (with Evans adding sparing piano') and by the time you get to 'Movement 56' this trio is out-there Ra-synthical (stick with it, it's a grower of some apocalytical proportion).

Normal service is resumed with 'Underworld', 'Fully Born' with a jazz-BRUK drum style and Evans' flamboyance and ending with a minimal track, 'The Lighthouse'.

Evans' style has previously been compared to Miles Davis' fusion of controlled abandom and he's got that here in buckets so no surprise that there's early support has been recieved from BBC 6 Music New Music Fix, Bandcamp Weekly, Jazz FM, New York City Jazz Record and Peter Margasak's Nowhere Street amongst others.

So if you want fireworks, it's 'Freaks', it it's freaks, its 'Movement 56' and there's loads inbetween -  another great album on We Jazz Records.

Artist: Pete Evans

Title: Extra

Release date: 25th October, 2024

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP73 

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Jono McCleery - To See You Again / So Messed Up (Sonar Kollektiv)

You get the feeling that it was only a matter of time for Jono McCleery to make his name and now he's on Sonar Kollektiv, it's great 'To See You Again'.

Jono McCleery is British singer/songwriter, musician and artist based in London.  In the past he's based in London, he has supported Fink (Ninja Tune) on tour, and collaborated with loads more since

However, this first single from the forthcoming album is best we've heard Jono since his collaborations with Part-Time Hereos in 2019 on Wah Wah 45's - the "Nick Drake" we've been waiting for as the source of 'To See You Again' comes from the passing of his brother.

It's the opening track featured on Colour & Pitch sessions, October 2024 with Will Sumsuch (see below).

And having made a star of Stee Downes, Sonar Kollektiv have filled the space in between with their next star, Jono McCleery is so [un]messed up.

The album 'Reconcile' will be released on November 29th.

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - October 2024

Artist: Jono McCleery 

Title: To See You Again / So Messed Up

Release date: 24th October, 2024

Label: Sonar Kollektiv)

Catalog Number: SK504D,SK505D

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: LEDJ - Circuit Breaker (Bridge The Gap)

Hard to imagine how the Musical Director for Mulatu Astake (James Arben) and a Heliocentric mate (Danny Keane) plus a couple of member of the Hackney Colleiry Band could re-invent the New Orleans brass band format - but they have and it's all to the good.

It might take a couple of listens, but this quartet, Arben (horns), Keane (keys), Luke Christie (drums) and Ed Ashby (tuba) have crammed a lot into their debut 5 track EP.

The opener, 'Circuit Breaker' is their in ya face HCB style Ethio-Jazz but then the jazzy Fender Rhodes really shines on 'One Last One' that if had lyrics, could be a cross-over hit.

'5 Days Of Freedom' builds into a jazzy-funk groover and it's possibly the most jazz dancey of the set - more Chick Corea than Herbie say and the Ed's tuba give it some serious depth (and thoughout).  As a quick aside, good to see Oren 'Tuba Explorer' Marshall in Norma Winstones' backing band (along with Sam 'Floating Points' Shepherd!) at WeOutHere Festival this year - the tuba is back?

'Hailstorm' get punk-jazz Ezra Collective'd dub trance - these guys must be awesome live like Acoustic Ladyland back in the day.  A big change to the haunting ballady 'Monday 6th March' closer.

So you think the New Orleans' comparison was a bit far fetched?  I suppose Professor Longhair might not have recognised much here but he'd certainly love and dance to it. 

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Artist: LEDJ
Title: Circuit Breaker
Release date: 24th October, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : -
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers - African Party (Deluxe Edition) (Impressive Collective)

Back in 2015, Freestyle Records reissued a remastered version of this 1967 classic ten track album by Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers but this is the 12 track Deluxe Edition as the first on the Impressive Collective label.

You may know Mr. Boraman from his connections with Brian Auger (see review HERE) so it's no surprise that he loves this seminal album from that late sixties when Ginger Johnson was not only opening the London/UK ears to Afro-jazz percussion, he was also a mentor to then London resident, Fela Kuti as well having work with British jazz greats as Ronnie Scott, drummers Phil Seaman, pianist Victor Feldman, Kenny Graham (in his Afro-Cubists band) as well as percussionist in Edmundo Ros' popular dance band in the 50s (always check the credits his album).

This album is full of Yoruba vocals/chants, heavy percussion and Brit-jazz horns and flute; 'Hi-Life' being particularly good but it's all excellent and often mentioned as the start of Afrobeat. 

Johnson's band also went on to include future members of Cymande and Osibissa and you can hear elements of calypso/Carribean on 'African Party' and even Zamrock meets jazz ('Witch Doctor' (Afro Rock)'.

A truley amazing album and especially in this expanded form (the extra two tracks having been taken from a long lost 45 that's been a 'Repair Shop' restoration so as to match the rest of the album).

When Tony Allen (RIP - albeit mentioned this week - see review HERE) said, Ginger "was a pioneer, the trailblazer for all of us", he really should be better known and this 'African Party' will definitely make that happen.

Artist: Ginger Johnson And His African Messenger

Title: African Party

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label :  Impressive Collective (an imprint of BBE Music)

Catalog Number:BBE771

Format: Vinyl 2xLP (early 2025), Digital / Bandcamp  

Review - Dora Morelenbaum - Pique (Mr Bongo)

Dora Morelenbaum is the superstar from Brazil with a debut album on Mr Bongo - you must here it.

How do we know she's a superstar? Well, she part of Bala Desejo (see review HERE) along with her bestie, Ana Frango Elétrico who had her album out last year (se review HERE) we've been getting itchy for more Dora Morelenbaum since the 'Vento De Beirada EP' last year as her debut album has 11 new tracks.

And who can not love the sunny feel-good of this album, especially 'Venha Comigo', the jazz-funky 'Sim, Não' and the odd-ball kooky extremees  of 'Caco' and 'VW Blue'.

But not only that, there's a string drenched ballad 'Essa Confusão' that'll knock you out with its understated jazz ballady along with the jazz pop of 'Petricor' and the thrilling 'Nem te procurar' that ties all these various strings together that makes this album so good?  

Dora has said, “'Pique' was an album made in motion and ended up being about just that. From the beginning, it was an album that sought to build new textures that are part of the sound landscape I envision ahead. And from these colours and textures, it builds bridges between a more traditional universe, sonically and poetically speaking, and a new perspective on songs.”

And you can't argue with that.  Any fans of Brazillian culture and its musical heritage from MPB, bossa nova, samba to tropicália will love this.

Artist: Dora Morelenbaum
Title: Pique 
Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP275,

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ernesto & The Basement Gospel - Is It True? (Atjazz Record Company)

Is it true? Original mix plus eight others! You bet it is and Ernesto gets into the basement for this soul-gospel-house future classic.

The original is outstanding as Atjazz Record Company gets even deeper than their last release (Magic Number's 'All I Ever Wanted' with remixes (see review HERE) so on this one there's a Dirtytwo remix, a Peacey remix, a Atjazz remix, a radio mix, a Peacey radio mix,  a Peacey instrumental radio mix a Peacey instrumental remix, a Atjazz instrumental remix - not much time go to church after all that lot.

You may recognise Ernesto from the 90s as 50% of Swell Seesion (with Andreas Saag), as Pinku Vääty or as Jonathan Bäckelie, Swedish soul singer/musician/producer and mover/shaker in the Gothenburg Jazz Hipsters.   With so many credits on club friendly releases, is it any wonder Peacey is abel to jazz-house up 'Is It True?' and it's the one I'd put money on for radio/dancefloor action.

Atjazzy and Ernesto go back many years (Exceptional Records days I guess) and Dirtytwo are fellow Swedes, production duo from Norrköping who have caught the ears of Peking House, Razor 'n' Tape, Local Talk, JKriv, Homero Espinosa and many more; i.e. proper incrowd as opposed to SHM.

Seems like a good time to make Sweden trendy again - it must be true!

As featured on Colour & Pitch sessions, October 2024 with Will Sumsuch

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - October 2024

Artist: Ernesto & the Basement Gospel

Title: Is It True?

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label: Atjazz Record Company

Catalog Number: ARC248SD

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Dangerous Times (Compost Records)

Inkswel & Andre Espeut have brought us some renewed hope of soul and love with thier track, 'Dangerous Times'.

Long term fans will recall that nearly ten years ago Inkswel was making his name on BBE with his 'Super Foods' series (see review HERE - side note, always worth checking of a Kid Sublime remix; one of Paul 'Jazz Room' Murphy's favourites don't you know?)

And then, last year he re-imerged on Compost Records as Inkswel & Colonel Red with the 'Holders Of The Sun Remix EP' (see review HERE) and his latest single, 'Dangerous Times' is a fore taste of a new album with London based Andre Espeut who is well known in deep soul circles and has collaborated with many a YATM favourite from Elbert Phillips to King Bee (see review HERE) and Situation to name just three.

This pair are perfect partners to sooth us with this modern soul room and the album, 'Synchronicites', indicates how well these two pair up.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Dangerous Times

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044 

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos - Overjoyed Through The Noise (Mello Music Group)

When your influences are as diverse/equal as Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Madlib, Q-Tip and more, this is an area where a new generation is taking us even further out and Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos don't need a Musk$ spaceship to get us 'Overjoyed Through The Noise'.

Blvck Spade has been making hip-hop beat in St. Louis and with a group of free-jazz thinkers, The Cosmos, they are going cosmic.   It's a full live band of Joey Ferber (guitars), Precious Brown (vocals), Kudda (keys), Dhoruba Shakur and Dorian Simms (both drums), Hodge (perucssion), Vintvage Vibes (saxes), Joshiah Burton (trumpet) and Antionio Brown (keys/arrangers).

Mr. Spvde has said that this group is akin to "bring[ing] the feel of my Dad back in the Room" and as it's record live, I get it as I recall seeing Gil Scott-Heron at Dingwalls many moons ago and this club recording has the same vibe to it (plus the jazz-funk heritage of a Brian Jackson; who is still bringing it live as recently as WeOutHere Festival this year and on BBE).

Two drummers and a percussionist certainly helps with the 70s vibe, especially on the title track, 'Never Be Another' and there's a poetic lilt on 'What You Won't Do' and a great horn section. 

So somewhere between a less-political Gil Scott-Heron band and a small Sun Ra Arkestra - and who wouldn't want some of that?

Artist: Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos

Title:   Overjoyed Through The Noise

Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mello Music Group

Catalog Number : -

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: D.B Cohen - Manchild (Ramrock Red Records)

Troubadour D.B Cohen has a new album coming out and if it's all as good as 'Manchild', Ramrock fans (and everbody else) have got something great to look forward to.

DB Cohen's been drinking at the corner of 'Scratchcards & Wine' (see album review HERE) but on this new single, 'Manchild' he's channeling his inner Muddy 'Mannish Boy' Waters with a bit of Captain Beefheart.

And if you're recording in the hear of the Essex delta, you've just gotta call Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove - Latin jazz dance legend last seen on YATM supporting Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 album on Wah Wah 45s, 'The Confluence' (see review HERE).

The 'difficult' (not in Dan's case') second album, 'On Target' is due out in November and  Snowboy production so more excitement next month.

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title: Manchild
Release date: 18th October, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR067
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Mackwood - Master Changes (5dB Records)

London-based drummer, producer, songwriter and bandleader Mackwood release a debut album that is diverse and talented as he is.

We've been following Mackwood this year with 'Habits' featuring anaiis and Quinn Oulton (see review HERE) and 'Yella!' featuring Charlie Stacey (see review HERE) but the album is fantastic!

Another track similar to 'Habits' is 'Thunder' that features Eert Evil and Klanja (it's BRUK, soulful, proggy and great all at the same time), 'Talk' and the rest of the album is instrumental modern nu-jazz funk electronica at its best; particularly 'Master Changes' (Parts i and ii), 'Dog' (brilliant post Roy Hargrove 'Golden Era')  and 'Flush Draw'.

'Master Changes' has got it all as you'd expect from an album inspired by artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield to Nubya Garcia to Holst to Four Tet (I'll tell you the story of me one and only meeting with Kieran Hebden one day; that's enough about me).

There's an album launch party at Peckham Audio next Tuesday (22nd October) so it would be a good idea to catch this before Mackwood gets to be massive 

 

Artist: Mackwood 

Title: Master Changes

Release date: 17^th October, 2024

Label: 5dB Records
Cat. No: 5DB24004

Format: Digital