Recent Releases

October 2024
Some 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:

I receive so many requests to review recordings it is impossible to include them all.
Unlike some publications/blogs, Sandy Brown Jazz is not a funded website and it is not possible to pay reviewers.
Reviews tend to be personal opinions, something a reviewer likes might not suit you, or vice versa.
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.

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 October 2024

UK

Monkin' Around - 4 In1
(Ubuntu Music) - Released: 4th October 2024

Dave O'Higgins (tenor saxophone); Luke Fowler (double bass); Billy Pod (drums) with Dean Fyte (piano); Martin Shaw (trumpet)

'Oscar Wilde once said; ‘imitation is the highest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness’. Jazz musicians have always known this and have always done their best to stand on the shoulders of giants. While these three musicians are in no way mediocre they will happily afford every flattery to the great Thelonious Monk. Here are three friends getting together to pay homage to one of the greatest Jazz composers of the 20th century, Thelonious Monk. With a wealth of experience and artistry at their finger tips Dave O’Higgins, Luke Fowler and Billy Pod have set out to pay their respects to the works of Thelonious Monk and to use his compositions to express themselves and display their veracious talents.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Epistrophy : Listen to 4 In 1 :

Perfect Stranger - Unfinished Business
(Spark! Label) - Released: 18th October 2024

Chris Sansom (composer and conductor); Adam Bishop (alto and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, flute); Mick Foster (tenor, baritone , soprano saxophones, flute); Shanti Jayasinha (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tom Green (trombone); Alcyona Mick (keyboards); Rob Millett (percussion); Eddy White (guitars); Paul Michael (bass guitar); Jonas Golland (drums)

Perfect Stranger Unfinished Business.jpg

' ...... Unfinished Business features a selection of complex and challenging original compositions, rooted in classical composition techniques and jazz. The signature piece of the album, ‘Life & Times (of a Perfect Stranger)’, is a four-movement work loosely based on the structure of a classical symphony, with durations governed by the Golden Ratio. Another highlight, ‘Ludwig’s Van’, is a bold reimagining of Beethoven’s Große Fuge, Op. 133, blending shuffle, funk, reggae, and bebop. “This project has been a long time coming,” says Sansom. “The music on this album is exactly half a century old at the time of release, and it’s incredibly rewarding to finally bring it to life with such a talented group of musicians.” (album notes)

Details and Sample : Listen to Lugubrious Boots :

Nubya Garcia - Odyssey
(Concord Jazz) - Released: 20th September 2024

Nubya Garcia (tenor sx); plus various personnel including Joe Armon-Jones (keys); Daniel Casimir (bass),;Sam Jones (drums); and Esperanza Spalding, Georgia Anne Muldrow and more.

'The multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist, bandleader and composer Nubya Garcia’s new album, Odyssey, is out Sept. 20 (Concord Jazz). Following her critically acclaimed debut album, SOURCE, Odyssey is a majestic feat that blends orchestral arrangements with R&B, jazz and dub. Produced by Garcia in collaboration with Kwes' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to The Seer : Listen to Clarity :

Trio JDM - Fast Corners
(Taccola Records) - Released: 26th November 2023

Dave Walsh (drums); Martin Longhawn (Hammond organ); Jamie Taylor (guitar)

'On its accomplished debut album "Fast Corners", Trio JDM draws inspiration from the legacy of Jimmy Smith and Larry Young, as extended today by acts like Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart. Indeed, a fine version of Peter Bernstein's "Little Green Men" features here, alongside four original tunes each from Messrs. Longhawn and Taylor, and a joyous reading of Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha". In short, expect a compelling and varied set of contemporary mainstream jazz, with dashes of fusion and funk for good measure.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Ah-Leu-Cha : Listen to Elementary Waltz :

John Williamson - The Northern Sea
(Ubuntu Music) - Released: 12th July 2024

Alex Hitchcock (tenor saxophone); Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone);John Williamson (double bass); Jay Davis (drums); Jimmy Churchill (voice); Alex Wilson (piano)

'John’s debut album as composer/bandleader draws on influences such as Konitz, Haden, Mingus and Bley, and a varied musical upbringing. The subtly subversive writing is held together by a ruthlessly focused melodic instinct, with melody lines sometimes pushing at the boundaries of conventional harmony and other times serving as scaffolding for something more unusual. It is brought to life by an all-star band, arranged in combinations from duo to sextet. The angular post-bop of Contrafact 1 sits alongside big-sky Americana (2700 Q Street Northwest) and soaring contemporary jazz in the title track, The Northern Sea.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Contrafact 1 : Listen to The Northern Sea

Neil Cowley Trio - Entity
(Hide Inside Records) - Released: 20th September 2024

Neil Cowley (piano, composer); Rex Horan (bass); Evan Jenkins (drums)

' ......I went into the session not entirely sure of how much I should bring with me from my recent musical experiences. To cover all eventualities I brought pre recorded synth and drum machine parts to play along to, feeling that these could still serve my compositions well. But it was immediately obvious that these pre produced ideas just interfered with the human connection between us…. nay, our reconnection! I feel as a species we are still learning how to interact with each other after the difficulties of recent years and technology doesn’t seem to want us to reignite those flames. It would rather we dwell in its artificiality and continue to scroll, jealously guarding our attention for commercial gain. Maybe this is my bands small contribution to some kind of human push back! This music and this band are by example an exercise in human interaction and the inherent joy that that brings. A manifest reminder of the benefits of communal activity........' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Adam Alphabet : Video of Father Daughter

Ivo Neame - Zettalogue
(Ubuntu Music) - Released: 25th October 2024

Ivo Neame (piano); George Crowley (tenor saxophone); Tom Farmer (bass); James Maddren (drums)

'Zettalogue represents the documentation of a three-year process of writing, rehearsing, performing and recording new music. The pieces on the album are contrasting - some pieces are upbeat and energetic such as 'Drone Yer Sorrows'. Others such as 'The Rise of the Lizard People' are based on a clave using rhythmic structures derived from Konnakol (South Indian Classical Music) and West African Music. There is also a melancholic ballad - 'The Trouble with Faith'. This reflects Ivo's own journey with faith. Above all, he would find it comforting to be able to have faith in humanity. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." (album notes)

Details : Listen to Zettalogue : Article by Howard Lawes

Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching
(Partisan Records) - Released: 27th September 2024

Femi Koleoso (drums); TJ Koleoso (bass); James Mollison (saxophone); Ife Ogunjobi (trumpet); Olivia Dean, Yasmin Lacey, M.anifest, Moonchild Sanelly (vocals);

Ezra Collective Dance No Ones Watching.jpg

'Dance, No One's Watching' is an ode to the sacred, yet joyous act of dancing, an album that musically guides you through a night out in the city, from the opening of possibilities as a new evening spans out ahead, to dawn’s final hours as the night comes to a close. Written during a blistering 2023 which saw Ezra Collective tour the world, and become the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize, Dance, No One's Watching is a documentation of the many dance floors they encountered. From London to Chicago, Lagos to Sydney, dance and rhythm connect us. These songs are a testament to that spirit. The album was recorded at Abbey Road studios, where the band was surprised by a group of close friends and family, turning the sessions into a live communal celebration of love, music, and dancing. 'Dance, No One's Watching' is a record that speaks to the unifying power of dance. Set for release in September 2024, it is a powerful and distinctive addition to a catalogue that continues to blaze a bold new trail in contemporary British music.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to No On's Watching Me : Listen to Shaking Body

America

Kurt Elling - Wildflowers Vol 1
(Edition Records) - Released: 30th August 2024

Kurt Elling (vocals); Sullivan Fortner (piano); and featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant (vocals)

'One of the most influential and innovative vocalists in jazz, Kurt Elling, presents Wildflowers, Vol. 1—a brand new, spur-of-the-moment album created in the moment with pianist Sullivan Fortner, and featuring the remarkable Cécile McLorin Salvant. Kurt Elling is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative vocalists in the global jazz scene. Renowned for his rich baritone voice and his ability to seamlessly merge jazz tradition with modern sensibilities, Elling has carved out a distinctive place within the genre. His artistry is marked by a fearless approach to improvisation, spellbinding virtuosity, and a profound connection to the lyrical narratives he brings to life. His latest album, Wildflowers, Vol. 1, is a spontaneous and inspired exploration of creativity and collaboration, featuring the masterful pianist Sullivan Fortner. Known for his willingness to venture into the unexpected, Elling continues to push the boundaries of jazz with this intimate, unscripted piano-vocal session. Following a series of Grammy-nominated recordings with the funky, jazz-adjacent SuperBlue, Elling felt compelled to explore a more stripped-down and organic sound, resulting in an album that is both vibrant and warmly resonant.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Autumn Music : Listen to A Wish :

Miguel Zenón - Golden City
(Miel Music) - Released: 30th August 2024

Miguel Zenón (alto saxophone); Diego Urcola (trumpet, valve trombone); Alan Ferber (trombone); Jacob Garchik (trombone, tuba); Matt Mitchell: (piano); Miles Okazaki (guitar); Chris Tordini (bass;) Dan Weiss (drums); Daniel Diaz (percussion).

'Over the course of his brilliant and groundbreaking quarter-century career, Grammy Award-winning alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón has reveled in doing the hard work, whether he was transforming Puerto Rican plena into a vehicle for improvisation or writing a body of tunes inspired by the history of the American continent. But no project he’s tackled has involved the kind of intensive, granular research required by Golden City, a sweeping suite inspired by the demographic and political evolution of San Francisco, from the pre-colonial period to the contemporary tech-dominated era. His 17th album as a leader, Golden City is slated for release August 30, 2024 via Zenón’s Miel Music label. Commissioned by SFJAZZ and the Hewlett Foundation, “Golden City Suite” premiered at the SFJAZZ Center in 2022 with a production designed for an unusual all-star trombone-centric nonet. The inveterately curious Zenón embraced the assignment by delving into California’s history, “all the way back to the beginning with Native communities,” he says. “All the way back to when it was Mexico, and the Gold Rush, and the waves of Asian migration. I talked to about 50 individuals and came out the other side with a lot more information to feed the creative process.” ...... (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Sacred Land : Listen to Rush:

Patricia Brennan Septet - Breaking Stretch
(Pyroplastic Records) - Released: 6th September 2024

Patricia Brennan (vibraphone with electronics, marimba); Jon Irabagon (alto and sopranino saxophones0; Mark Shim (tenor saxophone); Adam O’Farrill (trumpet with electronics on #1,3,9); Kim Cass (bass); Marcus Gilmore (drums); Mauricio Herrera: (percussion).

'Vibraphonist, marimbist, improviser and composer Patricia Brennan “has been widely feted as one of the instrument’s newer leaders.” observed The New York City Jazz Record. She has performed in venues such as Newport Jazz Festival, SF JAZZ, and Carnegie Hall, as well as international venues such as Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, and Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.' (album notes).

Details and Samples : Listen to Earendel : Video for Palo De Oros (Suit Of Coins) :

Ingrid Laubrock / Tom Rainey - Brink
(Intakt Records) - Released: 16th August 2024

Ingrid Laubrock (tenor and soprano saxophone); Tom Rainey (drums).

'Since 2017, the two virtuoso improvisers and unmistakable stylists Ingrid Laubrock and Tom Rainey have been celebrating music as a duo. A classic duo that releases energy, pulsating vividly while simultaneously withdrawing into intimacy. A celebration of successful interplay, burning for the moment. Brink is a fascinating example of jazz as the art of dialogue. In a profound and telepathic way, Laubrock and Rainey understand each other and speak to each other through the music. "We listeners will often find ourselves breathing as Ingrid and Tom breathe, as they cherish space along with vivid instrumental ideas", writes Nels Cline in the liner notes and adds: "The duo of Ingrid Laubrock and Tom Rainey has been its own beautiful story as this golden couple has coalesced to create music that, while evincing the natural breaths of humble human existence, also possesses magic.“ (album notes)

Details and Sample : Listen to Coaxing :

Alvin Queen Trio - Feeling Good
(Stunt Records) - Released: 21st July 2024

Alvin Queen (drums); Carlton Holmes (piano); Danton Boller (bass)

'Drummer Alvin Queen looks at the legacy of jazz, stage and film music that has made the American cultural landscape rich and its global influence with a repertoire representing American music and culture in their many forms. The thirteen pieces chosen cover fifty-nine years of history with six songs from musicals, four jazz compositions, two songs from film soundtracks and a pop song from 1961. We cannot mention the American drummer Alvin Queen without talking about 'Elvin Jones, his lifelong mentor and main influence. However, his palette also includes a more contemporary and nuanced sensibility that is undeniably all his own. He is accompanied by two musicians adept at the traditional jazz piano trio: Carlton Holmes on piano and Danton Boller on double bass.' (album notes)

Details : Samples : Other Details and Samples :

Europe and Elsewhere

Claire Martin - Almost In Your Arms

(Stunt Records) - Released: 27th September 2024

Claire Martin (vocals); Martin Sjostedt (piano, keyboards); Niklas Fernqvist (bass); Daniel Fredriksson (drums); James McMillan (percussion, horns, additional keyboards, programming); Karl-Martin Almqvist (saxophone); Nikki Isles (accordion); Mark Jaimes (guitar); Joe Locke (vibraphone); Charlie Wood (guest vocals)

'Claire Martin is one of the most accomplished and inspired jazz singers in the world today. Full stop. This is a statement that would find virtually universal agreement with jazz writers, reviewers, broadcasters, listeners and live-performance audiences. Claire is always keen to find different projects and fresh inspirations, as attested by her remarkable recordings in recent years. In 2023, her previous album, 'I Watch You Sleep', was an orchestral celebration, with pianist & arranger Scott Dunn, of her close friend Richard Rodney Bennett, the legendary composer-pianist-singer. ...... on her new album, 'Almost in Your Arms', Claire returns to a previous successful formula: her highly experienced Swedish trio of pianist Martin Sjöstedt, double bass player, Niklas Fernqvist and drummer, Daniel Fredriksson. They accompanied her on her 2019 Linn album, 'Believin’ It', and appeared together the year before at Ronnie Scott's Club, in London, before going on to play to sell-out audiences in Sweden and Madrid. To this exemplary trio, Claire has added a number of superlative guest musicians .....So, on 'Almost in Your Arms', in addition to the inspiration created by recording once again with her trio of leading Swedish musicians, and her starry list of guests, Claire's innate enthusiasm for fresh stimulus and intriguing contrasts was invested in assembling a selection of material which she, with the assistance of James McMillan, found strong personal resonance with. The songs Claire has chosen further indicate her wide-ranging interest and knowledge in the many sub-genre areas of popular music and jazz. ...... (album notes)

Details : Introductory Video : Listen to This One's From The Heart :

Asher Gamedze & The Black Lungs - Constitution

(International Anthem Records) - Released: 30th August 2024

Tumi Pheko (cornet); Garth Erasmus (alto saxophone); Jed Petersen (tenor saxophone); Ru Slayen (percussion); Athi Ngcaba (trombone); Tina Mene (vocals); Fred Moten (words); Nobuhle Ashanti (piano); Sean Sanby (bass); Asher Gamedze (drums)

"Members of the dispossessed, won’t you lend me your ears!” This is the repeated call and the rallying chorus of the nearly 40-minute centerpiece to composer and percussionist Asher Gamedze’s new album Constitution. The expansive double album, a minoritarian fellowship in breath, is Gamedze’s follow-up to 2023’s Turbulence and Pulse (IARC0057/M3H013), and his first with The Black Lungs, a ten-piece ensemble. The album – recorded in one day at Cape Town’s Sound and Motion Studios – is an elaboration of the possibilities of autonomous constitution in and through polyrhythmic, modal, large ensemble music.......' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Find Each Other : Listen to Elaboration :

Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii - Aloft
(Libra Records) - Released: 2nd August 2024

Natsuki Tamura (trumpet); Satoko Fujii (piano)

'Pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura have amassed quite a track record as duet partners. On their ninth duo album, Aloft, they once again find new things to say. The creativity level is as high as any of their previous eight albums, along with the assurance and maturity that comes from nearly 30 years of working together. As Fujii says, “I am amazed that we still have so many things to create together!” Tamura is equally enthusiastic about their partnership. “We both continue to explore deeper expressions and new sounds,” he said. “After years of performing together, I feel absolutely secure in a duo with her.” Renowned for duo performances that border on the telepathic, Fujii and Tamura went into the studio with no plan except to rely on their trust and experience while improvising. They didn’t talk about the music before they played. “We just decided to play something,” says Fujii. “Natsuki listens to me very carefully and respects my playing so much but he has a very different sensibility and means of expression.” Tamura adds, “We listen carefully to each other, but at the same time we both understand that contrast and surprise are also important.” (Women In Jazz Media)

Details and Samples : Listen to Migration : Listen to Waiting For Dawn :

Jan Lundgren & Yamandu Costa - Inner Spirits
(ACT Records) - Released: 30th August 2024

Jan Lundgren (piano); Yamandu Costa (guitar)

'Experience the enchanting blend of piano and guitar with Inner Spirits, the stunning new album by Jan Lundgren and Yamandu Costa. This unlikely duo creates beautiful, seamless harmonies, weaving together their deep musical traditions into a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. From the lively rhythms of Brazil to the heartfelt melodies of Sweden, every track showcases their extraordinary chemistry and mastery. With its rich variety of style, pace, and mood, Inner Spirits is a captivating journey that will leave you spellbound, earning its place as one of the finest piano-and-guitar recordings ever made. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this breathtaking musical collaboration.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Summer Kind Of Love : Listen to Manha de Carnaval :

Reissues

Chet Baker - The String Sessions

(Jasmine Records) - Released: 12th September 2024

JChet Baker (trumpet) with various personnel

'Chet Baker was one of the jazz greats. A trumpeter with a cool and mellow style. He made the unusual decision for a jazz musician to make albums with string sections recording several albums in this style during his almost 40-year career. This set features the first two full albums, Chet Baker and Strings (1954) and 50 Italian Strings (1959) plus a pair of bonus tracks. Both albums have been meticulously restored with many imperfections inherent in early tape recordings rectified. The Italian album receives a much-needed remix to put Chet's singing and playing front and centre for the first time instead of being relegated to one side in the original mix.' (album notes)

Details :

Johnny Dyani - African Bass

(Red Records) - Released: 2024

Johnny M. Dyani (bass, piano, voice); Clifford Jarvis (drums, voice)

'Reissue of a 1979 duo recording of legendary South African bassist Johnny Dyani (of The Blue Notes) and drummer Clifford Jarvis (who played with Sun Ra for over two decades). Available on 180g vinyl presented in a deluxe gatefold sleeve - limited edition manufactured by German audiophile specialist, Pallas Group + deluxe digipak CD with extensive booklet - the first time it has appeared on CD. Johnny 'Mbizo' Dyani was a jazz musician who performed during the apartheid era. He played for almost his entire career in exile before passing away in West Berlin, Germany at the age of 39. Dyani actively fought against the apartheid regime through the medium of music and assisted the African National Congress (ANC) by performing at events in Africa and Europe. Johnny Dyani is best known for his membership with the Blue Notes, an interracial band that performed for a brief period in South Africa before moving to Europe. .'"I could play jazz, but, first of all, I play black music. We have a message. Louis Armstrong had it, Ellington had it, and Gillespie has it. It can be political, sociological, economic, it can be about the good times or the bad ones. It is our way of communicating. You don't have to read big books about a country or a population to know what they want. Listen to the music and you will know what they have to say." Johnny M. Dyani.' (album notes)

Details : Samples :

Horace Tapscott Pan African People's Arkestra - 60 Years

(The Village Records) - Released: 16th JUne 2023

Horace Tapscott (piano) plus various personnel inc. Arthur Blythe (alto sax); Phil Ranelin (ternor sax); Dwight Tribble, Linda Hill (vocals)

'This release is the culmination of 60 years of Black history through sound. Since its conception in 1961, the Ark has had a mission echoed by every director since Horace Tapscott himself, "To preserve the music of Black composers, dead or alive. To perform this music in our neighborhoods, for our people." The institution of the Arkestra fostered a culture of community, spirituality, Black empowerment, and most importantly, love. I am forever indebted to my ancestors and grateful to you, reading this message, for your part in the music as a listener. Peace. - Mekala Session. These recordings were collected and assembled by The Village & PAPA Individual song credits can be found within each track link' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to The Ballad Of Deadwood Dick :

Black Artist Group - For Peace And Liberty, In Paris Dec 1972

(We Want Sounds) - Released: 20th September 2024

Oliver Lake (alto sax, percussion); Bakida Carroll (tenor sax, percussion); Joe Bowie (trombone, percussion); Floyd Lefor (trumpet, vocals, percussion); Charles 'Bobo' Shaw (drums)

Black Artist Group For Peace And Liberty.jpg

Incredible long-lost performance by the mythical Black Artist Group recorded live in Paris, 1972. These recordings are BAG's first official release in 50 years and only their second album.- issued in collaboration with the Group and INA. Limited LP edition with 20 page booklet, remastered from the original tapes.' (album notes).

Details and Samples : Listen to For Peace And Liberty Part 2 :