Nakama: Most Intimate

The Norwegian bass player Christian Meaas Svendsen's quintet's recording sometimes comes across as overly cerebral, its mix of Euro-jazz, traditional...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: April/2017

Alexander Flood: Heartbeat

Mentore›d by Christian Scott, this dexterous Australian student drummer debuts with a sledgehammer approach to his hi-energy mix ‘n’ match...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: October/2020

Benny Goodman: Small Bands Collection 1935-45

Artie Bernstein | Benny Goodman | Buddy Schutz | Charlie Christian | Cootie Williams | Count Basie | Dave Tough | Dudley Brooks | Fletcher Henderson | Gene Krupa

On one level, this compilation gives a very informative bird's eye view of the Benny Goodman small groups over their...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: April/2021

Will Todd: Passion Music/Jazz Missa Brevis

Popular classical/choral composer Will Todd attempts to integrate Christian choral works with stylised elements from jazz and gospel-pop, the centrepiece...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: Feb/2019

Pacific Mambo Orchestra: The III Side

Aaron Lington | Alex Britti | Anthony Blea | Armando Cordoba | Benny Torres | Braulio Barrera | Carlos Caro | Christelle Durandy | Christian Tumalan | Dafnis Prieto

Pacific Mambo Orchestra is the sort of wish-list outfit Latinophiles dream about. On this third album, the West Coast juggernaut...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: June/2020

Various Artists: Bebop: Pioneers and Classic Performances 1941-49

Bud Powell | Charlie Christian | Charlie Parker | Coleman Hawkins | Dexter Gordon | Dizzy Gillespie | Django Reinhardt | Don Byas | Ella Fitzgerald | Fats Navarro

We are regularly reminded that bebop was a stylistic revolution in jazz but also that, from the viewpoint of later...

Reviewed by Brian Priestley in issue: December/January/2021/2022

Jimmy Raney: Live In Tokyo

Barry Harris | Leroy Williams | Sam Jones

A sister release to Charles McPherson's CD that bears the same title. This is indeed the same band minus McPherson...

Reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre in issue: August/2016

Chet Doxas: Rich In Symbols

Chet Doxas | Dave Douglas | Dave Nugent | Eric Doob | John Escreet | Liam O'Neil | Matthew Stevens | Zack Lober

Chet Doxas, a young Brooklyn-based saxophonist, is of Canadian extraction, as are his quartet’s versatile bassist Zack Lober and guitarist...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: March/2018

Javon Jackson: The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni

David Williams | Javon Jackson | Jeremy Manasia | McClenty Hunter | Nikki Giovanni

The 78-year old Giovanni is a renowned African-American poet, Black Arts activist and educator who linked with Jackson when she...

Reviewed by Peter Vacher in issue: April/2022

Sidney Bechet: In Switzerland

‘Moustache’ Galépidès | Albert Nicholas | Alf Masselier | André Réwéliotty | Bernard Zacharias | Charles Lewis | Christian Azzi | Christian Viénot | Claude Aubert | Claude Jones

For many years after his death Sidney Bechet continued to be regarded as a demi-god in the French-speaking world. This...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: July/2015