Ray Conniff: The Ray Conniff HI-FI Companion

A period piece of easy listening described on the sleeve as “supermarket music”, which is probably overstating the case –...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: February/2016

Philip Gibbs: Infinite Spirit Perfect Now

A Bristolian guitarist drawing on Indian percussion traditions and the influence of Derek Bailey for his wackily engaging experimental improv...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: April/2017

Freddy Cole: Talk To Me

Curtis Boyd | Elias Bailey | Freddy Cole | Harry Allen | John di Martino | John Di Martino | Randy Napoleon | Terrell Stafford

Sounding grainier than of yore, the veteran Cole (he turned 80 in October) limits himself to the vocal role on...

Reviewed by Peter Vacher in issue: February/2012

Claudio Filippini Trio: Facing North

Claudio Filippini | Olavi Louhivuori | Palle Danielsson

There's a joy about Filippini that translates to the oldest traditions of jazz and especially what used to be called...

Reviewed by Stephen Graham in issue: March/2013

Various Artists: European Cool Jazz 1951-1959

Bobby Jaspar | Don Rendell | Hans Koller | Johnny Dankworth | Johnny Keating | Lars Gullin | Sacha Distel

What an eye-opening treasure trove this double CD set is. The first thing that is so striking is that across...

Reviewed by Stuart Nicholson in issue: August/2014

Michel Sajrawy: Arabop

Adnan Hadda | Amiram Granot | Maali Klar | Michel Sajrawy | Nehaya Damouni | Samir Makhoul | Stas Zilberman | Valeri Lipets | Wisam Arram

Michel Sajrawy, a Palestinian of Christian faith with an Israeli passport and a British conservatory education, is a fusionist for...

Reviewed by Robert Shore in issue: February/2013

Sketch: Seconds Count

Jeremy Stacey | Laurence Cottle | Pete ‘Sabbo’ Saberton | Rob Koral | Sue Hawker

Originally recorded when Hawker, Saberton and notably Koral nabbed some studio time out of a commercial session, this set has...

Reviewed by Andy Robson in issue: October/2017

Kentyah Presents M1, Brian Jackson: Evolutionary Minded: Furthering The Legacy Of Gil Scott-Heron

Abiodun Oyewole | Airto | Bill Summers | Blackbyrd McKnight | Bobby Seale | Brian Jackson | Chuck D | Cuban Symphony Orchestra | Daniel Alzamorra Dickin | Dead Prez

Although the passing of Gil Scott-Heron in 2011 continues to cast a long shadow over contemporary black music, it should...

Reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre in issue: October/2013

Rick Simpson: Everything All Of The Time: Kid A Revisited

Dave Whitford | James Allsop | Rick Simpson | Tori Freestone | Will Glaser

On Everything All Of The Time: Kid A Revisited, London-based pianist Rick Simpson (a member of bassist Michael Janisch's band...

Reviewed by Thomas Rees in issue: November/2020

Tiny Grimes: Blues Groove 1958-1959

Unusual settings for the four-string guitarist, with star turns by Hawk, Lockjaw and Ray Bryant make this a previously hidden...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: February/2012