Shawn Maxwell: Millstream

Chicago-based saxophonist-educator Maxwell demonstrates an oddly quirky mix of post-bop fusion, funk, prog and African music and more with his...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: June/2020

Sam Gendel: Satin Doll

Sam Gendel | Gabe Noel | Philippe Melanson

Like his friend and LA neighbour Louis Cole, Sam Gendel evinces bland bemusement at a charmed life in which chance...

Reviewed by Nick Hasted in issue: May/2020

Album Interview: Matthew Shipp: The Piano Equation

Matthew Shipp

Matthew Shipp’s impressively large discography has recordings in all kinds of configurations but solo piano is one context in which...

Reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre in issue: May/2020

Al Di Meola: Across the Universe

Veteran jazz-rock giant Di Meola turns busker to express his love for The Beatles songbook with a discerning fusing of...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: May/2020

Kassa Overall: I Think I'm Good

If you crossed Thundercat and Robert Wyatt it might sound something like Kassa Overall, an inventive Brooklyn-based rapper/ vocalist/drummer/producer grappling...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: May/2020

John Coltrane: Blue Train

Albert Heath | Donald Byrd | Earl May | Curtis Fuller | Paul Chambers | Kenny Drew | Lee Morgan | John Coltrane | Philly Joe Jones | Red Garland

Forgive me for a moment’s fictional indulgence, but I can just imagine a production meeting over at American Jazz Classics’...

Reviewed by Simon Spillett in issue: May/2020

Roscoe Mitchell With Ostravaska Banda: Distant Radio Transmission

Sara Schoenbeck | Carlos Corddeio | Roscoe Mitchell | John C Savage | Dana Reason | Thomas Buckner | Catherine Lee O Mus | Christa Robinson | John Gattis | Roberta Michel

The fascinating relationship between composition, improvisation and orchestration is vividly played out here. Although known first and foremost as co-leader...

Reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre in issue: May/2020

Melt Yourself Down: 100% Yes

Adam Betts | Ruth Goller | Kush Gaya | Zands Duggan | Pete Wareham | George Crowley

Melt Yourself Down’s Last Evenings On Earth (2016) seemed to share the apocalyptic, transmuting themes of Shabaka Hutchings’ parallel work...

Reviewed by Nick Hasted in issue: May/2020

Brian Charette: Beyond Borderline

For his second solo disc, Brian Charette utilises various Hammond B3 traditions without indulging in any lounge-y sentiment or flashiness,...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: May/2020

Dave Glasser: Hypocrisy Democracy

Ben Allison | Dave Glasser | Andy Milne | Matt Wilson

This Lee Konitz-influenced saxophonist is a long-time Basie orchestra member, but his remit is wide, covering free-bop, blues-groove and cool...

Reviewed by Selwyn Harris in issue: August/2020