The best new jazz albums - Jazzwise Editor’s Choice: July 2022
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
The best new jazz albums reviewed in the July issue, featuring Joey Alexander, Eliane Correa & La Revolución Orchestra, Binker Golding, Charles Lloyd and more
Joey Alexander
Origin
Mack Avenue
Joey Alexander (p, ky), Chris Potter (ss, ts), Gilad Hekselman (g), Larry Grenadier (b) and Kendrick Scott (d)
For the acoustic tracks alone, the album not only deserves its four star rating, but, recorded during the two days before his 18th birthday, it charts Alexander’s continuing progress to becoming one of the finest of all jazz pianists. Alyn Shipton
Eliane Correa & La Revolución Orchestra
Signo de Fuego
Somos Más
Eliane Correa (p, ky, syn, bv), Yadira Ferrer, Yasmeen Quintana, Josbel Figurita, Mandi Miranda ‘El Moro’, La Reyna y La Real, Marina Molina, Yoan El Salsa, Jannier Rodríguez, Yuri Hernández (t, flhn), Landy Díaz (tb), Frank Portuondo, Jimmy Martínez, Dimitris Christopoulos (b), Manuel Ortiz (g), Will Fry, Erik Castillo, Miguel Elián Hernández, Edwin Sanz, Ernesto Marichales (perc), Michel Castellanos and Dani Morales (d)
Electric guitars and synths halo around horns, keys, drums and driving Cuban percussion; elements of soul, funk, rock and jazz nod to Hancock, Havana and the melting pot that is London. Utterly maravilloso. Jane Cornwell
Satoko Fujii/Joe Fonda
Thread of Light
FSR
Satoko Fujii (p) and Joe Fonda (b, clo, f)
Thread of Light is the fifth collaboration since 2015 between the great Japanese pianist and improviser/composer Satoko Fujii, and the eclectic New York-born former Anthony Braxton double bassist and composer Joe Fonda – though the first in which they didn't actually meet. John Fordham
Binker Golding
Dream Like A Dogwood Wild Boy
Gearbox
Binker Golding (ts), Sarah Tandy (p), Billy Adamson (el g, g), Daniel Casimir (bass) and Sam Jones (d)
This is warmly mellow music, its big, wide open sound embracing the listener with plain feelings, melody and nostalgia. Nick Hasted
Charles Lloyd
Trios: Chapel
Blue Note
Charles Lloyd (ts, fl, ss), Bill Frisell (g) and Thomas Morgan (db)
The absence of drums is key to the recording’s airily intimate feel and the looser ties to guitar-led retro stylings. Selwyn Harris
Nduduzo Makhathini
In the Spirit of Ntu
Blue Note
Nduduzo Makhathini (p), Robin Fassie Kock (t), Linda Sikhakhane (ts), Stephen de Souza (b), Dane Paris (d), Gontse Makhene (perc), Dylan Tabisher (vb) and Anna Widauer (v) plus guest: Jaleel Shaw (as)
Inspired by the symbolism and traditions of Makhathini’s background in Zulu traditions, his playing on the unbridled ‘Abantwana Belanga,’ is suggestive of McCoy Tyner, a formative influence.
Bennie Maupin & Adam Rudolph
Symphonic Tone Poem For Brother Yusef
Strut
Bennie Maupin (reeds) and Adam Rudolph (perc)
This work has a deeply meditative character that attests to the self-possession Maupin has shown on innovative work with anybody from Miles Davis to Marion Brown. Kevin Le Gendre
Opus 5
Swing on This
Criss Cross Jazz
Alex Sipiagin (tpt), Seamus Blake (ts), David Kikoski (p), Boris Kozlov (b) and Donald Edwards (d)
Great solos, strong songs and a consistently engaging set. Mike Hobart
Read the full reviews of all of these albums – and many more – in the July issue of Jazzwise magazine. Subscribe to Jazzwise today
