Trumpeter and singer Till Brönner and legendary keyboardist/pianist Bob James met at the equally famous “La Fabrique” studios in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, close to Marseille, in September 2019 to record “On Vacation” (Sony Music), an album of music that is supposed to get you to the places you want to go to for a holiday. And thus,…
Hugo Montenegro, probably best known for his cover of the title track of Sergio Leone’s 1966 movie “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly” (originally by Ennio Morricone) as well as being a prolific soundtrack composer and orchestra leader, was also a trailblazer of the Moog and Mini Moog keyboards back in the 70s. His…
UK soul singer Georgie Sweet makes her amazing debut on the thrilling Futuristica label. It is hard to believe while listening to the album that here is a singer and songwriter at work who is only 20 years old. Her neo soul or future soul album shows hints of both Thundercat and Erykah Badu, yet…
So many years have gone by since his still incredible debut album, but the wait was more than worth it. There were a couple of tunes from “Be The Change” (to be released on Dome Records, October 30th on double vinyl and CD) circulating in the past weeks: the highly infectious title track with gentle…
Trumpeter, bandleader and composer Wynton Marsalis will be next up for the Living Jazz Call & Response series, a unique series of intimate conversations with interesting jazz musicians. Those icons speak candidly about the inspiration behind their music, but also about their struggles and triumphs, about the current climate for musicians during these difficult times,…
Godfather of neo-soul and fusion jazz, Roy Ayers, who celebrated his 80th birthday in September, plays a few exclusive dates at Keystone Corner in Baltimore. Roy plays two sets each on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week, with premium seating and general admission. But you can also buy a streaming pass for just $15.00…
When “From Paris With Love” was released by Melody Gardot in the summer, it almost brought me to tears. The heartbreakingly beautiful melody, written by Pierre Aderne, accompanying video and the sweet sweet lyrics were a match made in heaven and somehow became the unofficial hymn of the lockdown. And still is. But the big…
Both of my turntables with belt drives quit their work in the course of a few days recently. The only alternative: a direct drive turntable. Throughout my years in the clubs of 90s Berlin, the standard was, and I guess still is, the Technics 1210. The next best bet clearly is the Audio-Technica 140 XP…
Most important note at the beginning: This compilation is available as a double vinyl! 16 of the UK’s most in-demand jazz and organic acts have come together to create their own reworks of classics from the vast Blue Note vaults. “Rose Rouge” from the now anthemic 2000 “Tourist” album by St Germain, gets things going…
Australian soul singer Kylie Auldist is back with her fifth full-length album. The Melbourne-based singer, known especially for her role in The Bamboos and her huge 2009 song “This Girl”, remixed in 2016 and charting in a lot of European countries, has released her new album “This Is What Happiness Looks Like”, on Soul Bank…