Jazz Recommendations July 2017

Review: Styled in some regards as a 'real-life Breaking Bad', the documentary The Sunshine Makers documents a partnership on a mission to expand the consciousness of the '60s set by means of a domestic LSD laboratory. Who better, indeed, to soundtrack such an affair than London-based synapse-shakers The Heliocentrics, whose irrepressible melange of psychedelia, rhythmic drive and third-eye-cleansing jazz unites the questing spirit of the '60s with the here and now. The evangelical zeal of the era's metaphysical crusaders may be viewed with some wistful nostalgia in the here and now, but their cultural legacy finds an uncanny parallel in this invigorating and addictive score from these modern visionaries.

Review: The buzz around this sophomore set from Bahrandi-born British jazz musician Yazz Ahmed has been palpable. One critic even described it as a "modern jazz masterpiece", and it's easy to see why. While rooted in numerous now traditional jazz styles, it also mines the jauntiness of jazz-funk and draws huge influence from Arabic musical culture. As a result, La Saboteuse is packed full of intoxicating, beautifully performed highlights. Check, for example, the gently foreboding movements of the trumpet and clarinet-laden "Jamil Jamal", the trippy ambient electronica/jazz fusion of "The Space Between The Fish and the Moon" and the skittish, vibraphone-heavy epic that is "Organ Eternal". Simply essential.

Review: Jonny Trunk's quirky Brixotica series has previously showcased some brilliantly camp and - more importantly - musically delicious British takes on South American and African music from the easy listening era. This latest instalment sees the lauded crate-digger turn his attention to UK-made Latin music from the ballroom era. An almost non-stop celebration of big band cha-cha-cha, rumba and mambo, the compilation boasts all manner of overlooked treats from the likes of Johnson Brothers & Ted Heath (the tongue-in-cheek silliness of "Papa Loves Mambo"), Don Carlos, Victor Sylvester, Tony Scott and the John Warren Orchestra. There's also a wonderful bonus in the shape of an excerpt from a little known cha-cha-cha instructional record.

Review: Amongst serious jazz collectors, this deliciously obscure album by drummer Bert Myrick on influential early '70s Detroit imprint Strata Records has long been a "Holy Grail". That's partly due to the quality of the players on show - Myrick's quintet contained some of the Motor City's finest jazz players of the '60s and early '70s, including one-time Blue Note artist Kenny Cox - but largely because it's exceptionally good. Remarkably, it was recorded live at the University of Michigan nearly a decade before its 1974 release, and contains one of the most stunning jazz compositions you'll ever hear, Cox's epic "Scorpio's Child", as well as the Afro-Cuban jazz hit that is "The Latin Bit". Throughout, Myrick's drumming is exceptional.

Review: Inspirations sees Los Angeles jazz singer Dwight Trible cover some of the songs and artists that shaped his formative musical years. With Manchester bandleader, arranger and trumpeter Matthew Halsall providing direction and production, Trible delivers a string of memorable interpretations. Highlights include a rousing, near riotous cover of Nina Simone favourite "Feeling Good", a spiritual, harp-laden rendition of Hal David and Burt Bacharach's "What The World Needs Now is Love" - a radical departure from the original, featuring one of Trible's greatest vocal performances to date - and a poignant, heartfelt version of Leroy Hutson and Donny Hathaway's still relevant "Tryin' Times".

Review: Killer heavy Hammond organ led driving dancefloor devastation on 'Whip It On Me' taken from the 'Heavy Soul' album from 1968. On flipside and taken from the New Genius of The Blues album from 1967 and the first time ever on a 45 is Billy's killer rendition of 'Got My Mojo Working (But It Just Won't Work On You)' featuring Mr Hawks on vocals and organ and Joseph Jones on guitar. Powerful stuff from the Mukatsuku camp and another essential single for your record box and Juno copies come in exclusive packaging ! As played by The Herbaliser, DJ Spinna, DJ Amir ,DJ Marky, Dom Servini, Bob Jones,Faze Action, Djar One, Smoov and more.