GREG FOAT Vinyl & CDs

Review: Greg Foat is something of a musical polymath, with his various solo and collaborative albums touching on everything from spiritual jazz, library music and soundtrack sounds, to Balearic beats, jazz-funk and deep house. On Psychosynthesis, his first solo set for two years, he largely keeps things warm, chilled and dreamy, joining the dots between horizontal jazz-funk, exotica, Balearica, and sensuous sun-down sounds with the aid of a vast battery of analogue and modular synthesizers. The results are predictably impressive, with the album's many highlights including the spacey, slo-mo shuffle of 'Underwater Fantasy', the throbbing, Sun Palace-esque starry jazz-funk of 'Psychosynthesis (Part 1)', the gaseous ambient drift of 'The Green Odyssey' and the Wally Badarou style warmth of 'The Investigation'.

Review: Acclaimed pianist Greg Foat is a mainstay of the current UK jazz revival thanks to works on Jazzman and Athens of the North. He draws on soul and library music for his inspiration and serves up lush symphonies that are rich in detail, layer and emotion. This new album, which makes use of pedal steel for the first time, goes even more widescreen in its approach and includes powerfully uplifting tracks like "Anticipation" as well as more sensual and slower groovers and languid movers like "Island Life." It is the sound of an artist and composer at the very peak of his powers.

Review: Continually travelling jazz explorer Greg Foat heads to Finland in search of more kindred spirits to jam with, again hosted by the excellent Scandi jazz label Jazzaggression. Having recently collaborated with Aleksi Heinola and Teemu Akerblom for Gone To The Cats, Foat now teams up with Eero Koivistoinen on tenor sax for a decidedly smooth ride which brings out the best in both players. Captured over a stormy weekend at Jazzaggression's in-house studio, there are considered compositions and improvised moments alike on this infinitely listenable album, which neatly rounds off his trio of albums for the label.

Review: Respected UK jazz keyboardist Greg Foat and ambient legend Gigi Masin started piecing together the music for Dolphin during the lockdown years of 2021, developing their collaborative album online before committing to final recording sessions when they were able to convene at the Chale Abbey Studios on the Isle Of Wight. As you might well expected, there's a sumptuous, refined quality to the music the two have conjured up on this release for Strut, taking in mellow jazz and ambient with elevated musicality at the core. With additional instrumental contributions from the likes of Mosesy Boyd, Siobhan Cosgrove and Tom Herbert, it's a richly satisfying listen from beginning to end.

Review: You may well have spotted UK jazz keyboardist recording for the likes of Athens Of The North, Jazzman and Strut in recent times, and it's the latter label he returns to for this luxurious collaboration with Venetian ambient legend Gigi Masin. Initially conceived during those blurry days of 2021 when life felt very different, the album was developed remotely before culminating in some recording sessions in the stunning surrounds of Chale Abbey on the Isle Of Wight. Attending those sessions were the additional talents of Moses Boyd on drums, Tom Herbert on bass and Siobhan Cosgrove on flute, who all add additional sparkle to this stunning set of pieces to bring a little elegant magic into any situation. This special clear vinyl edition won't hang around for long, so you'd best be quick acquiring it.

Review: Greg Foat and Sokratis Votskos come together for a superb jazz-infused Mediterranean musical trip on Live At Villa Maximus Mykonos that was recorded in a picturesque setting. It captures the essence of a sun-kissed Greek island with its breezy rhythms and soulful improvisations as Foat's masterful piano and Votskos' evocative saxophone intertwine seamlessly to transport you to plenty of tranquil seaside vistas. The duo's synergy is palpable and evokes a sense of serenity and joy with each note from enchanting melodies to vibrant improvisations. This gorgeous album really celebrates the beauty of music to take you to another place.