Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: Altera Vita is a remarkable duets recording featuring the talents of Kofi and Alina Bzhezhinska, who display their mastery of their respective instruments while also handling percussion duties. The album opens with the serene 'Tabula Rasa-Blank Slate,' setting the pace for a collection of six perfectly paced tracks that exude soul and spirituality. Kofi's well-timed explosions of power, particularly on 'Audite Me-Hear Me,' complement Bzhezhinska's fluid and water-like flow throughout the album, notably on 'Anima-Breathe.' While the album pays homage to jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane, it's primarily a tribute to the late Pharoah Sanders, evident in Kofi's composition 'Altera Vita (for Pharoah Sanders).' Originally released as a single, the album expands on this theme, delivering a powerful and moving masterpiece that honors the tradition of jazz spirituality. With its profound depth and emotional resonance, 'Altera Vita' stands as a respectful tribute to the enduring legacy of jazz legends.

Review: Azimuth, a collaboration between John Taylor, Norma Winstone, and Kenny Wheeler, presented an enchanting blend of jazz mastery when it was released in 1977 and it still resonates to this day. The album showcases the trio's seamless interplay and innovative approach to improvisation with Taylor's delicate piano, Winstone's ethereal vocals and Wheeler's evocative trumpet creating a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. From the introspective ballads to the spirited compositions, Azimuth captivates with its emotive depth and musical sophistication. This timeless LP remains a testament to the brilliance of three exceptional musicians pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz.

Review: The TBN Trio features pianist, keyboardist and composer Takeshi Ohbayashi alongside Ben Williams and Nate Smith, and between them they have some mad jazz skills. The Big News is their new album on Eight islands and it finds the ensemble merging virtuosity with innovation as each member brings a unique flair. The absorbing record blends Ohbayashi's intricate piano melodies, Williams' pulsating bass lines, and Smith's dynamic drumming and their synergy creates a captivating tapestry that effortlessly traverses various tempos and moods with effortless precision. The album showcases the trio's collective prowess with a rich tapestry of harmonies and rhythms that solidifies their position as a formidable force in the modern jazz landscape.

Review: In 2009, Congolese-Danish saxophonist and composer John Tchicai (1936-2012) diverged from his usual path in the 60s free jazz scene to record a straight-ahead jazz album. He surprised his loyal followers on the process but also won them over with the new direction. The album, In Monk's Mood, proved a big hit and soon sold out. Danish label Steeplechase has now served up this resume on nice heavyweight vinyl so it can be enjoyed all over again by past and future fans. The seven tunes are all easy to enjoy cuts with dynamic drumming and plenty of majestic sax lines.

Review: Reissued in the aftermath of her passing away in 2023, Souvenirs is probably the best-known album by Ethiopian legend Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru, whose morphing from nun to composer, pianist and vocalist tracks an exquisitely bleak but powerful history. The first album to feature her own voice, the album was written and recorded at her family home in Addis Ababa, and deals in personal themes of loss, homesickness and transience, reflecting on Emahoy's experiences of the turmoil of the 1976 Red Terror in Ethiopia, in which the provisional Derg military dictatorship violently suppressed the rise of other competing revolutionary militia groups, and in so doing caused mass upheavals and migrations. With lyrics sung in Amharic and overlaid against uniquely mournful DIY instrumentations, Mississippi's CD reissue reminds us of its heart-warmer status, betraying Emahoy's deep familial fidelity and integrity.

Review: Sugar by Stanley Turrentine is a timeless jazz record that epitomizes the more soulful elegance of the genre. Released in 1971, Turrentine's smooth tenor saxophone melodies dance effortlessly over lush arrangements to create an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication. The album's title track is a standout that showcases Turrentine's unparalleled improvisational skills and ability to convey emotion through his music. With its irresistible groove and infectious energy, this record continues to captivate audiences and solidifies Stanley Turrentine's legacy as one of the most influential figures in jazz history.