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)
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
Baaba Maal by Damian Rafferty
WOMAD this year features: Afrocubism , Alpha Blondy, Baaba Maal, Bellowhead, Dub Colossu, Ebo Taylor, Gogol Bordell0, Penguin Café, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Susheela Raman and Taraf de Haidouks Continue reading WOMAD – Charlton Park 28-31 July 2011
Kerieva's playing at Celebrating Sanctuary
Continue reading Celebrating Sanctuary London 2011 – Sunday, 19 June 2011, 2 – 7pm
Best known as the bassist with the Esbj??rn Svensson Trio, Dan Berglund’s new band Tonbruket is eagerly awaited and as you might guess from the cover, this album should be called Heart as that would be rather appropriate on a number of levels.
Alarm Will Sound are a 20-member group described by the New York Times “one of the most vital and original ensembles on the American music scene,” so with a debut release on the Nonesuch label, a/rhythmia was an essential listen this month.
Not heard from King Britt for a while and while there’s more than one good reason for joining him on “a spiritual quest for a higher sound”, because it’s brilliant will do for starters
Continue reading V/A – King Britt Presents The Cosmic Lounge Volume One
Stunning South African singer Simphiwe Dana returns to the UK next month for a show at Queen Elizabeth Hall, here her second album on Gallo gets a once over
Continue reading Simphiwe Dana – The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street
Djivan Gasparyan won the Radio 3 Awards for World Music audience award in 2003 for his exquisite, soulful playing on the duduk (double-reeded oboe). Portrait is as fine a showcase for the Armenian’s versatile musicianship as you could wish for, as he approaches his 60th birthday
Continue reading Djivan Gasparyan – Portrait: The Soul of Armenia
When Jonny Trunk sends you an email headed “Music for lunatics,” it still comes a surprise to see Bod, moon landings and porno somehow weaved together
“I thought she was the greatest singer I’d heard”. So said New York photographer Carol Friedman after seeing Abbey Lincoln perform live. From the first track on this new CD, you can see why Lincoln gets such a reaction.
First off, you’ve got to say that even though this is billed as a solo album and all the tracks are written by Nicolas, this is The Meier Group in all but name and they are just as good on CD as they are live
You can tell from the cover of the album this is going to be irreverent, but are you ready for Andy Kershaw rapping?
Continue reading Listen With Sarah feat. Andy Kershaw – The World Of Listen With Sarah EP
Bellowhead have enough members to start their own football team, which for an English folk band is fairly impressive (although it would be fairly motley crew of folkies, jazzsters and classical musicians who made up the numbers).
