Freaky Party

Music Reviews and more

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Pop/Rock
  • Metal
  • Indie
  • Electronic
  • Folk
  • Jazz
  • Classical

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Yazz Ahmed: A Paradise in the Hold review – British Bahraini trumpeter’s fiery blend of instinct and improv

Her fourth album sees Ahmed collaborate with singers including Natacha Atlas to play jazz-influenced songs best when they are fast and free

Moses Yoofee Trio: MYT review – brilliantly explosive jazz

The Berlin-based threesome’s groove-heavy debut is all too short

Xhosa Cole: On a Modern Genius (Vol 1) review – young sax master unleashes his trunk of Monk

The Birmingham-born jazz star pays tribute to a master of modern music, with tap-dance rhythms and Heidi Vogel’s vocals adding pep to proceedings

Mississippi Goddamn: A Celebration of Nina Simone review – singers capture star’s emotional spirit

Corinne Bailey Rae’s vamping and Laura Mvula’s whispering pain steal the show as five vocalists deliver their own interpretations

Sam Amidon: Salt River review – an eclectic if erratic affair

The US musician leads an accomplished yet slightly bland living room session spanning traditional numbers and songs by Lou Reed, Yoko Ono and more

Jacob Collier/Chris Thile/Britten Sinfonia review – Bach to Beatles and mass harmonies as virtuosic pair delight

An enjoyably varied programme took in Piazzolla, Samuel Barber and Queen with Suzie Collier conducting the Britten Sinfonia, but the musical fireworks were all courtesy of her son Jacob and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile

Jakob Bro: Taking Turns review – lost masterpiece from great Dane’s understated jazz supergroup

Played by world-class personnel including Bill Frisell and the late, great alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, this 2014 set is full of subtle, spontaneous ideas

Music: Kitty Empire’s 10 best albums of 2024

Americana’s classiest duo weather the storm, Kendrick Lamar has the last word, UK jazz soars – and Charli xcx unleashes the power of Brat

Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review – fitting tribute to a century of jazz

As saxophonist and band leader Marshall Allen turns 100, his evergreen outfit effortlessly draw on their rich history, as classics meet the cosmic

Laurie Anderson: Ark: United States V review – a long and winding bid to make sense of America

Contemplating a world of catastrophe and collapse, the veteran artist’s new three-hour show, though much too long and diffuse, has moments of poignancy – and joy

Lars Danielsson/ Verneri Pohjola/ John Parricelli: Trio review – wine chateau sessions mingle mature sensibilities

Bassist Danielsson, guitarist Parricelli and trumpeter Pohjola combine folksy melodies, Latin grooves and free-roaming improv on this lustrous album

Michael Mayo: Fly review – a bravura fusion of original work and jazz standards

The US singer-composer’s self-produced follow-up to Bones shifts from soul to a lighter, happier jazz sound

Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: The Old Country review – a delightful return to a cherished jazz venue

Full of blistering bebop and entrancing swing, this 1992 recording showcases the pianist’s love of the Deer Head Inn, the clapboard 1840s hotel where he cut his teeth

Ashley Henry: Who We Are review – upbeat innovation from a pianist with talent to burn

The London-born musician laces his jazz with a heady blend of soul and hip-hop on this fierce but joyous second album

Anna Butterss: Mighty Vertebrate review – jazz meets post-rock on shape-shifting delight

With guests including Tortoise’s Jeff Parker, the LA bassist’s second solo album is cerebral, groovy and beyond categorisation

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →
  • Julius Eastman: A Power Greater Than review – Davóne Tines celebrates the maverick musician
  • Sananda Maitreya review – the former Terence Trent D’Arby returns in astonishing vocal form
  • Gillian Welch and David Rawlings review – perfectly paired talents at the peak of their powers
  • Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp review – ​it’s clearer than ever what a stunningly skilled rapper he is
  • Mohinder Kaur Bhamra: Punjabi Disco review – rediscovery of an 80s trailblazer
  • Jennifer Walton: Daughters review – a stylish and painful debut
  • Lily Allen: West End Girl – a gobsmacking autopsy of marital betrayal
  • Gli Incogniti/Beyer: Bach from Italy album review – fascinating collection sizzles and shines
  • Iberia album review – Hindoyan and the RLPO turn the heat up with Spanish colours and sunshine
  • Apartment House review – an evening rich in discoveries, musical delicacies and magic
  • LSO/Adès review – the mood-boosting musical equivalent of a Sad lamp
  • Fridayz Live Sydney review – Mariah Carey is impeccable but Pitbull steals the show
  • Little Simz review – hip-hop visionary radiates joy and Gallagher-level swagger
  • Tame Impala: Deadbeat review – ‘bush doof’ bangers can’t hide how downbeat Kevin Parker seems to be
  • BBC Phil/Seal: Bliss, Miracle in the Gorbals/Metamorphic Variations album review – much to enjoy
  • Sebastian Rochford: Finding Ways review – Polar Bear drummer’s strikingly varied quest into the aftermath of grief
  • The Last Dinner Party: From the Pyre review – baroque’n’roll band’s speedily released second album is overheated
  • Hugh Cutting: Refound album review – an idiosyncratic and profoundly satisfying collection
  • Albert Herring review – ENO heralds new era with witty staging of Britten’s story of a mummy’s boy
  • Mitsuko Uchida review – enthralling and exhilarating late Beethoven
  • Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition review – fabled album falls short of expectations
  • La Bohème review – noirish reframing of Puccini’s classic weepy
  • Jade review – pop’s quirkiest star transcends manufactured past
  • The Magic Flute review – assured, atmospheric and a lot of fun
  • Robbie Williams review – tiny Camden gig offers blinding star wattage – and a surprising new song about Morrissey
  • Širom: In the Wind of Night, Hard-Fallen Incantations Whisper review – a cacophonous folk kaleidoscope
  • Hannah Frances: Nested in Tangles review – ramshackle arrangements power restless revelations
  • Beethoven 5 Vol 4: Salvatore di Sciarrino album review – classical weight, contemporary subtlety
  • BBCSO/Stasevska: Become Ocean review – elemental, unsettling and beautiful
  • The Hermes Experiment: Tree album review – vivid voices and bold textures from inventive ensemble

Contact www.freakyparty.net   Terms of Use