In 2023, my relationship with jazz is a complex one. I spend hours fawning over its pivotal ages, predominantly be-bop. Over the last few years however, I have come to truly appreciate the 80’s fusion era of the not so distant past, in which established heavyweights Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorious, Wayne Shorter, Patrice Rushen and a host of others embraced the move from acoustic to electronic instruments. Sadly, the sexless nerdery, strange time signatures and synthesised ... read more
I was recently fortunate enough to be sent a recent project involving Toronto saxophonist and composer Leland Whitty, which saw him contributing to the compositions of fellow Canadian saxophonist/composer Liam Mitro. As an unavoidable selling point, the press release rightly drew attention to Leyland’s long standing membership of BADBADNOTGOOD, which we shall now move swiftly on from.
Leland’s latest solo project ‘Anyhow’ offers from it’s opening moments yet ... read more
Albums that can synthesise bliss are necessary in my opinion, yet sometimes it is hard to submit to the beautiful states that music speaks of - when they are presented against the backdrop of today’s world. Yet in the wake of our time spent in lockdown, it cannot be denied that high calibre releases bloomed like flowers and Kiefer’s ‘When There’s Love Around’ is no exception.
Undeniably Jazz and truly on Bedroom Frequencies, ‘When There’s Love ... read more
Floating Points has composed a continuous piece of ambience that uses the same theme in 9 movements. 5 years in the making, it has proven itself worthy of being in part performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Improvised over by legendary Jazz Tenor Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, it allows us for the first time in so long to hear authentic new wisdoms from a pioneer of a pivotal moment in music thought long past.
80 year old Pharoah Sanders is counted amongst some of the greatest composers ... read more
Recent Warp Records signing Free Jazz harpist Nala Sinephro has produced a debut work that at times perfectly soundtracks the early morning sun hitting my bedroom door, complimenting it with such unobtrusive ease that I am compelled to do nothing more than enjoy the moment.
Through harp, electric piano, synthesizers and piano she has created genuinely new Free Jazz with moments of Cool. Though many will naturally compare a Free Jazz harpist to Alice Coltrane, as a devout Hindu Alice lent ... read more