Category Archives: Jazz
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF LANGSTON HUGHES.
The Life and Career Of Langston Hughes. Multitalented is the word that describes James Mercer Langston Hughes. He was a novelist, newspaper columnist, poet, playwright, social activist and songwriter. Hughes is also credited as being one of the founding fathers of jazz poetry. It’s almost an understatement to say he was a remarkable man. Hughes was …
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ERIC GALE .
The Life and Career Of Eric Gale. Jazz guitarist, sideman, songwriter and producer Eric Gale was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, on September 20th, 1938. His grandfather was English and he also had relatives in Venezuela and Barbados. During the holidays, Gale spent time in Britain visiting family. This gave him a different worldview. …
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.
Here, There and Everywhere. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Released: 29th November 2024. Over the years, there’s been many compilations of cover versions of songs by The Beatles. They’ve been a mixed bag, with the quality varying. They’re best described as the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Some are nothing more than exploitative cash-ins …
THOM BELL-DIDN’T I BLOW YOUR MIND? THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA 1969-1983.
Thom Bell-Didn’t I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983. Label: Kent. Format: CD. During the late-sixties and seventies, Thom Bell was one of the architects of Philly Soul, and worked with everyone from The Delfonics, The Stylistics and The Spinners to M.F.S.B., The O’Jays, Three Degrees and New York City. Artists came …
TOMORROW’S FASHIONS – LIBRARY ELECTRONICA 1972-1987.
Tomorrow’s Fashions – Library Electronica 1972-1987. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Release Date: 28th June 2024. Over the last few years, there’s been a resurgence of interest in library music, with British and European record labels releasing lovingly curated compilations that are welcomed by a coterie of musical connoisseurs who have a passion for library music. …
DJ TONER Q4RTET- OUT SIDE.
DJ Toner Q4rtet-Out Side. Label: Tangential Music. Format: Digital. Release Date: ‘3rd’ May 2024. Over the last two decades, Spanish musician and producer DJ Toner, has been determined to break the barriers between hip hop, jazz and electronica. This he’s successfully done when collaborating with other artists, when working as a solo artist or with …
ALINA BZHEZHINSKA AND TONY KOFI-ALTERA VITA.
Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi-Altera Vita. Label: BBE Music. Format: CD. Release Date: 5th April 2024. In 2023, harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and tenor saxophonist Tony Kofi released ‘Altera Vita’ as a single. This was the first collaboration by the pair, and was greeted by widespread critical acclaim. Then when Downbeat released their list of the …
RODION-LADISLAU ROSCA AND RODION G.A.
Rodion-Ladislau Rosca and Rodion G.A. Who Was Rodion-Ladislau Rosca? The words enigmatic, innovator, pioneer and maverick describe the late, great Rodion-Ladislau Rosca. He was, without doubt, one of the most talented, inventive and influential European musicians of his generation. He was also an inventor, philosopher, poet and a man who dared to dream. Rosca spent …
DAVID AXELROD-SONGS OF INNOCENCE.
David Axelrod-Songs Of Innocence. Label: Oldays Japan. Format: CD. Release Date: 22nd March 2024. By the time David Axelrod began work on his debut album Songs Of Innocence in 1968, the thirty-seven year arranger, composer, drummer and producer old had enjoyed a chequered career. He had started off as a boxer, before changing direction and …
CULT CLASSIC: DEXTER GORDON-ONE FLIGHT UP
Cult Classic: Dexter Gordon-One Flight Up. Label: Blue Note Records. Format: LP. Not long after Dexter Gordon recorded ‘A Swinging Affair’ on August the ’29th’ 1962, the thirty-nine year old jazz saxophonist decided to leave New York where he had been living, and moved to Europe. He settled first in the Danish capital Copenhagen, but …
MOLLY LEWIS-ON THE LIPS.
Molly Lewis-On The Lips. Label: Jagjaguwar. Format: CD. In November 2017, Sydney-born singer and musician Molly Lewis was one of the artists who featured on Kirin J Callinan’s single ‘Big Enough.’ A lot has happened since then. By 2021, she had signed to US-based label Jagjaguwar, and released her much-anticipated debut EP, ‘The Forgotten Edge.’ …
LAGOS THUGS-CHAOS.
Lagos Thugs-Chaos. Label: Immensum Music. Format: Digital Album. Three years ago, Lagos Thugs, a twelve piece Afrobeat band, was formed in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria. That was the start of three year journey that has resulted in the recent release of their debut album Chaos, on Immensum Music. It’s a tantalising taste of a …
IN THE LIGHT OF TIME-UK POST-ROCK AND LEFTFIELD POP 1992-1998.
In The Light Of Time-UK Post-Rock and Leftfield Pop 1992-1998. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Release Date: ‘29th’ September 2023. Back in the early nineties, a number of British bands decided it was time to explore a different side to pop and rock music. They were going to push musical boundaries and create innovative music. …
THE COUNTS-WHAT’S UP FRONT THAT COUNTS.
The Counts-What’s Up Front That Counts. Label: Ace Records. Format: LP. Soul and funk group The Fabulous Counts were formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1968 by organist Mose Davis, guitarist Leroy Emmanuel and vocalist and saxophonist Demo Cates. Initially, the trio jammed with musicians in their local neighbourhood. This included conga player Keith Mangrum and …
JOHNNY LYTLE-THE LOOP.
Johnny Lytle-The Loop. Label: BGP. Format: LP. Release Date: ‘28th’ July 2023. Johnny Dillard Lytle was born into a family of musicians on December October ’13th’, 1932 in Springfield, Ohio. His father was a drummer and his mother an organist. Influenced by both, the future vibes virtuous grew up playing drums and piano. However, before …
28 LITTLE BANGERS FROM RICHARD HAWLEY’S JUKEBOX.
28 Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Release Date: ‘26th’ May 2023. 28 Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox is the first volume of the Sheffield-born singer-songwriter’s favourite singles. These are singles he’s collected during crate-digging expeditions as he’s travelled the globe. This includes singles he’s discovered in thrift shops …
FOLK, FUNK AND BEYOND-THE ARRANGEMENTS OF JOHN CAMERON.
Folk, Funk and Beyond-The Arrangements Of John Cameron. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Release Date: ‘26th’ May 2023. John Cameron came to prominence in 1966 after he arranged Donovan’s Sunshine Superman. The arrangement was a fusion of jazz, folk and proto-psychedelia, and when the single was released, it topped the US Billboard 100 and launched …
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