Gearbox Vinyl & CDs

Review: Saxophonist Binker Golding and Moses Boyd made a huge impression with their earliest collaborative releases, winning the 'Best U.K Jazz Act' gong at the 2016 Jazz FM Awards. Their periodic albums since, which explore improvised and semi-improvised free-jazz territory, have been uniformly excellent and their latest, the duo's first for two years, is no exception. They recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, under the supervision of GRAMMY-winning producer Hugh Padgam, with guest Max Luthert joining in with tape loops and electronics. The result is a magical set full of alternately dreamy and alien-sounding electronic textures, loose-limbed, impeccably recorded jazz drums (you feel like you're sat behind the drum kit, such is the quality of the stereo panning) and winding, expressive, often lengthy sax improvisations. Magical music!

Review: Elliot Galvin is a leading figure in UK jazz with four solo albums that have topped year-end lists in respected media outlets. He is also a member of the Mercury-nominated Dinosaur and has collaborated with key jazz cats such as Shabaka Hutchings, Emma-Jean Thackray and Norma Winstone. Known for his improvisational prowess, his latest solo album taps into that skill once more and is an entirely improvised record that takes in quiet beauty like the opener, more theatric drama on 'Still Under Storms' and world jazz sounds on 'High & Wide'.

Review: This is a never-heard-before recording of the legendary tenor sax “Little Giant”, Johnny Griffin, playing at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and backed by members of Ronnie's House Band (Stan Tracey, Malcolm Cecil and Jackie Dougan). A through-composed suite in four parts, we begin with the aroused baritone sax of ‘The Girl Next Door’ and end on the short curtsy known as ’The Theme’. Mastered at Gearbox Records’ in-house studio using an all-analogue signal chain and cut directly from the original tapes, the recordings making up the record were salvaged at the club by Les Tomkins in 1964. The sleeve features photography by the esteemed Val Wilmer and liner notes by Richard Williams.

Review: Legendary South African composer and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is back with a new album, 3, that shows he very much still has the skills to pay the bills. It arrives on Gearbox records and features music taken from his sold out date back in summer 2023 at London's Barbican. The man himself is now 84 years old but is drawing on all those years playing to make the most majestic music of his career, with heart swelling piano and enticing melodies all serving as life affirming reminders. Parts of this feature the full recording including the audience and parts are music only, with spoken word snippets interspersed to make it seem all the more cosmic.

Review: A self-titled debut album that's an impressive and deeply personal statement, featuring the trio's dynamic blend of jazz, fusion and West African influences. Rooted in their Newcastle upbringing, the record captures both the joy and struggles of their journey, translating lived experience into sophisticated, groove-driven compositions. Led by bassist Stan Woodward and drummer King David-Ike Elechi, with the virtuosic Ferg Kilsby on trumpet, Knats have crafted a sound that is both intricate and accessible. Tracks like the lead up single, 'Tortuga (For Me Mam)' radiate warmth and gratitude, while 'Se7en' delves into darker, introspective territory, reflecting Stan's complex relationship with his father, DJ Se7en. 'Adaeze', a poignant tribute to King's late sister, weaves gospel-folk melodies with West African percussive textures, adding a rich emotional depth. Their latest single, 'Rumba(r)', highlights the band's playful yet refined approach, fusing rumba clave rhythms with melodic sophistication, nodding to both 70s fusion and romantic classical influences. Their ability to balance technical prowess with emotive storytelling has earned them critical acclaim, and with infectious energy and masterful musicianship, Knats' debut is sure to turn heads.

Review: It's exceedingly rare to stumble across any unreleased recordings by jazz greats such as Thelonious Monk, let alone find them in the trash. Yet, somewhat remarkably, that's the story behind "Monk", a 1963 recording of the pianist in full flow - accompanied by his "all-star" line-up of Charlie Rouse (saxophone), John Ore (double bass) and Frankie Dunlop (drums) - that mysteriously resurfaced in a Scandinavian skip last year. This album presents a fully remastered version of that rare recording - captured on tape at a live show in Copenhagen - for the very first time. It's a wonderful listen, with Monk and company darting between original compositions and altered jazz standards in typical be-bop style.

Review: Dwight Trible is a skilled jazz vocalist and activist as well as being classed as the godfather of the LA jazz scene. He has recently impressed on Gondwana and now he is back with a new album via London jazz aficionados and analog specialists Gearbox Records that builds on the critical acclaim of his last outing, Mothership in 2019. Here Trible again links up with the modern great Kamasi Washington on saxophone while LA multi-instrumentalist Georgia Anne Muldrow provides the vocals. Sitting soul, spoken word, cosmic electronic idiosyncrasies, rich melodies and avant-garde guitars all make this another classic.