The music tears through Buika with such violence you cannot wrestle your eyes away from her for fear of missing the last precious moment of beauty before catastrophe strikes. Continue reading Buika at Union Chapel (Live Review)
Posts tagged jazz
Modern British culture was shaped by three things – DJs, radio (especially pirate radio), and clubs. And record shops are the thread between all three. Sanjiv takes a break from his global tour of record shops for his upcoming book to sing their praises on their special day. Continue reading We Love Record Shop Day
From Nigeria, there’s the heavy, heavy sound of Afrobeat, delivered here by Seun Kuti, son of the incomparable Fela whose band Egypt 80 are now under the commanding leadership of Kuti Jr. If Afrobeat is a timeless music, so too is the soulful reggae of Toots & The Maytals. We’re delighted that the still-effusive ‘Toots’ Hibbert will be leading his charges through all those hits – Monkey Man, Funky Kingston, Pressure Drop, Do The Reggay… Continue reading WOMAD 2013 announces Seun Kuti and Toots & The Maytals to join the line-up
Meshell Ndegeocello returns with an album of songs dedicated to that rarest of souls Nina Simone.
Continue reading Meshell Ndegeocello – Pour une âme souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone
Reunions are becoming increasingly frequent, often with mixed results. For every success, such as The Specials, there is many a disappointment.
The Doug Carn and Jean Carne reunion gives hope of something special. Though Jean Carne recorded successfully in her own right for both Motown and Philadelphia International, it is their work as a duo (and then as husband and wife) which brings the most expectancy.
Their albums from the Seventies recorded for the renowned Black Jazz album hit a nerve with its mix of Coltrane type spirituality and earthy soul. The duo found an audience in the Eighties with the Jazz Dance/Acid Jazz crowd, who revelled in tracks like ‘Higher Ground’ , ‘Power and Glory’ and ‘Moon Dance’.
Over two sets Doug Carn and Jean Carne will include tracks from both their work as a duo and Jean Carne’s solo career. There is one Manchester date at Band in the Wall (20th June) and three London dates at Ronnie Scotts (21st-23rd June).
Look out for a full review from the Ronnie Scott’s show.
Flat Earth Society. Photo: Raymond de Vries
On entering the intimacy of one of London’s premier jazz venues, Vortex, it was clear to me that this was going to be a cosy gig. The place was packed out and the 15 members of Belgium’s Flat Earth Society squeezed onto the stage, filling a quarter of the room. Continue reading Flat Earth Society – Vortex, London (Live)
Robert Glasper’s new jazz infused soul album, ‘Black Radio’, a slight detour from his jazz output (albeit with a strong hip hop influence), is mostly very good. Aside from some well-worn samples of his own work, this is a welcome return for the master musician. Continue reading Black Radio – Robert Glasper
Perhaps the surprise of the year this one as George Benson release an album that isn’t a ‘Best Of’ his own hits as he covers some pop and jazz classics and it’s worth more than a casual listen!
To see him live you are in awe. Not just for memories of the first time, a tour de force of modern jazz at Pizza Express. Or the second time, a mesmeric meeting between Glasper and drummer Chris Dave at the Jazz Café. Or even the last time, a melange of nu classical soul and jazz, at Ronnie Scotts. No, Glasper in the flesh is more than the sum of his collective live performances. His tall, broad frame radiates charisma, his easy going charm relays confidence and his Southern (American) roots. Glasper inspires awe in his audience. Continue reading Robert Glasper, XOYO
Following their highly acclaimed national tour and appearances at Glastonbury and on Later with Jools Holland, Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra return to play a London date at the Barbican. Continue reading Jerry Dammers’ Spatial A.K.A Orchestra – Barbican, 18 November 2011
Check it out live
In keeping with its own traditions and reflecting the ethos of the Festival, Ronnie Scott’s presents a ten day diary of special collaborations, emerging talent and established stars from across the generations and continents, as well as the ubiquitous festival after-hours hang. Continue reading London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s
Tinie Tempah, Adele, Dappy and Tinchy Stryder were among those honoured with a prestigious MOBO Award, while Jessie J walked away with a staggering four gongs. Who’s laughing now? Continue reading Mobo Award winners 2011 – revealed first on flyglobalmusic.com
Floridita has revived its live music policy and kicked it off with Cuban maestro Chucho Valdes. Diners get the views but giggers get the moves and the ambiance along the edges of this restaurant-based venue in bustling Soho. Continue reading Chucho Valdes – Floridita, London (Live)
At five tracks ’5ive’, the second in a set of releases from the West London-based Jazz Re:freshed promoters/label, is woefully short but it is a timely reminder of the sheer talent of Mr Kaidi Tatham. Continue reading 5ive – Kaidi Tatham (Jazz Re:freshed)
We’ve been dreaming of a new album by Sabrina Malheiros on Far Out Recordings and here it is and it’s very wide awake!
Continue reading Sabrina Malherios – Dreaming
