Alice Zawadzki: Within You Is a World of Spring review – vivid blend of Schubert, Spain and Stevie Wonder
The Anglo-Polish vocalist goes way beyond jazz on her second solo album, for a hymn to nature that masters many styles
John Coltrane Quartet: Blue World review – fascinating lost sessions
Yet another entry in the growing catalogue of lost-and-found recording sessions, this dates from 1964 and was made for a French-Canadian film, Le chat dans le sac. Some of it was used on the soundtrack, but this is the whole … Continue reading
Black String: Karma review – elegant South Korean folk jazz
South Korean music is on something of a roll. From popular boy bands such as Super Junior to the array of improvisational acts at this year’s forthcoming K-Music festival in London, there’s a newfound confidence in play. Black String are … Continue reading
Abdullah Ibrahim review – 50 dazzling years of jazz distilled
Performing solo, the 84-year-old South African pianist treats melody with reverence – then instinctively, skilfully dismantles it
Miles Davis: Rubberband review – slim pickings
Newly signed to the Warner Bros label in 1985, Miles Davis set about recording an album intended to capture a new, young audience. He was given a more or less free hand and there were rumours of Chaka Khan and … Continue reading
Chrissie Hynde: Valve Bone Woe review – offbeat jazz with rock star cool
Hynde’s album of covers is inviting and interesting, thanks to her insouciant attitude
Iggy Pop: Free review – a man of too many parts
This strange patchwork of jazz, poetry, ambience, lamentable lyrics and the odd pub-singer moment works fitfully at best
Miles Davis: Rubberband review – traces of majesty
This long-awaited remake of the pop-infused 1985 sessions may not quite do Davis justice but it hits compelling highs
We Out Here festival review – a new jazz generation is born
Saxophonist Gary Bartz, Joe Armon-Jones and Binker Golding were some of the big names at this festival curated by Gilles Peterson
Tubby Hayes Quartet: Grits, Beans and Greens review – intense and absorbing
Come summer, come the time for unearthing long-lost jazz masterpieces. This time it’s four 50-year-old reels of tape, bearing the final studio recording of tenor saxophonist Tubby Hayes (1935-73). Despite his nickname, he wasn’t fat, just stocky. Entirely self-taught, Hayes … Continue reading
Nérija: Blume – formidable jazz crew need to cut loose
There’s a real warmth about London-based jazz septet Nérija on their debut album. It might have something to do with the close-knit harmonies of the horn front line – Nubya Garcia on tenor saxophone, Sheila Maurice-Grey on trumpet, Cassie Kinoshi … Continue reading
Tubby Hayes Quartet: Grits, Beans and Greens review – an ingenious melodicist rediscovered
He died in 1973 but British-born Hayes had astonishing fluidity and compositional skills that it is worth hearing