This archival recording is a swinger released from Latvian specialty label Jersika Records. It consists of pianist, jazz journalist and and record collector Yuri Viharev, paired with bassist Juris Āķis and drummer Einārs Raibais. This was the cream of Latvian jazz, and it’s a massive event to see this label Continue Reading
Jazz
Axel Dörner – Brixia
German trumpeter Axel Dörner recorded this interesting one-track album 13th of March 2022 in Brescia, Italy, mixing electronics with a very ethereal trumpet sound.
Kuba Płużek Quartet – Froots
My first morning in Beijing gets its soundtrack thank to my friend Slava in Kazakhstan, who shared this slightly haunting bit of jazz fusion by polish bandleader Kuba Plużek. The swing on this album is dark but hip, and reminds me of the bands of his countryman, the long-departed Krzysztof Continue Reading
Ivan Grebenschikov – The Endless Winter
I’ll be in-flight over South Korea by the time you’re reading this post, and I thought I’d leave you with an incredibly rich and diverse album by Russian pianist Ivan Grebenschikov and his group. The Endless Winter is his latest work, and it is a seamless combination of art-rock, contemporary Continue Reading
La Montaña Rusa 19.2023. Vincent Meissner. Francesco Ciniglio. Recuerdo a Jack Wilkins. Kit Downes. Mar Serra Grup. RYNDEM+KORK.
Because I will be on the road for the next few days, I will have to prepare a couple of posts ahead of time until around Thursday or Friday, when I should be settled again in Beijing. In the meantime, practice your Spanish by listening to one of Spain’s coolest Continue Reading
Harold Land – Damisi
The ever-magnificent Wewantsounds have produced another vinyl masterpiece! They have released, for the first time, Harold Land’s classic LP ‘Damisi,’ recorded in Los Angeles for Bob Shad’s Mainstream Records and released in 1972. It’s a superb mix of Funk and modal Jazz and the vinyl edition features newly remastered audio Continue Reading
Azymuth – Carnival
We received news from friends and from Far Out Records‘ press release that legendary drummer and a founding member of jazz-rock icons Azymuth, Ivan “Mamão” Conti, passed away yesterday at 76. He had been prolific over the past few years, and his passing comes as quite a shock. In honor Continue Reading
Kalia Vandever – We Fell In Turn
Kalia Vandever is a New York- based trombonist whose playing is about as elegant as anything I’ve heard in a while. From her Bandcamp site: “We Fell In Turn is the solo debut from Brooklyn-based trombonist, composer, and quartet leader Kalia Vandever. Vandever, who plays with Harry Styles and Continue Reading
Batavia Collective – Propulsion
I haven’t had a chance to review anything from Indonesia in some time, so it gives me pleasure to introduce you to a band called the Batavia Collective. Their sound is a great balance of jazz, fusion and electronica. One track only, but it’s a solid one.
Antti Lötjönen – Circus/Citadel
Antti Lötjönen is a new name for me. A bassist from Finland, his band absolutely swings and bops. Perhaps it’s best to let him describe his latest album, Circus/Citadel, here on his Bandcamp site: “Antti Lötjönen says: “These compositions vary in terms of form and density, with each player having Continue Reading