December 2024
Some Recent Releases
Recent Releases
A few words about recent releases / reviews:
Apart from where they are included in articles on this website, I don't have a 'Reviews' section for a number of reasons:
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I receive so many requests to review recordings it is impossible to include them all.
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Unlike some publications/blogs, Sandy Brown Jazz is not a funded website and it is not possible to pay reviewers.
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Reviews tend to be personal opinions, something a reviewer likes might not suit you, or vice versa.
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It is difficult to capture music in words, so much better to be able to listen and see whether the music interests you.
For these reasons in particular I just include a selection of recent recordings below where I share the notes issued by the musician(s) as an introduction and links to samples so you can 'taste' the music for yourselves. For those who like to read reviews, these, of course, can be checked out on other sites.
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Some albums are priced in dollars or other currencies. These are marked ^. There are currency options if you proceed to order. Recordings are now regularly available on different formats (CD, mp3 downloads, vinyl) or platforms e.g iTunes, Spotify, etc. I am unable to list them all so it is worth checking if you have a favourite platform).
Featured In December 2024
UK
John-Paul Muir- Home Now
(Ubuntu Music) - Released: 8th November 2024
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Brigitte Beraha (voice); George Crowley (bass clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jakub Cywiński (double-bass); Eric Ford (drums)
John-Paul Muir (piano)
'Home Now showcases Muir’s lyrical compositional style in a set of five pieces with expressive playing of both delicate beauty and overflowing ecstasy. The first three tracks feature a collaboration with lyricist Anjali Bhat, with Muir’s classical heritage coming to the fore in the impressionistic opener Sunlight, a captivating portrayal of a romantic encounter, whilst the title track explores the experience of finding a sense of home in a new place. John-Paul describes the album in his own words: “The compositions that make up ‘Home Now’ are often imbued with warmth and highlight some of the experiences of being human that are hard to describe. They came about naturally over a period of several years, reflecting both my collaboration with Anjali and my writing, finding its voice in a sort of ‘chamber jazz’ that encompasses my classical roots alongside improvisation and a movement towards a European jazz sound.......' (album notes)