Singer Brenna Whitaker is the first artist that veteran producer David Foster has agreed to produce since Michael Bublé and so, yes, you get a female version of Mr. Bublé, complete with big-sounding orchestral productions and horns and strings arranged by Chris Walden. At times, singer Caro Emerald shines through like on the opening track “Black And…
Matthew Halsall is a trumpeter, composer, producer, arranger and leader of the Gondwana Orchestra, based in Manchester. The vocals by Josephine Oniyama on the ethereal opening track “Only A Woman”, which has added, celestial harp courtesy of Rachael Gladwin, reminds me of the 60s recordings by Alice Coltrane. The esoteric atmosphere continues with the equally…
Yes it’s time again for “Soul Togetherness”, the brilliant indie-soul compilation which comes out once a year ever since 2000, usually in October and this year perfect for blowing the Berlin fog away. And it starts with a bang: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are back again with producing the latest Janet Jackson, but let’s…
The musicians on Luciana Souza‘s new album come from all parts of the world and create a fascinating melange of sounds and styles, probably best described in the opening track “At The Fair”, a joyous and playful tune with intensive conversations between harmonica player Grégoire Maret and guitarist Lionel Loueke. Her wordless vocals enhance the…
The hip hop-flavored “Sunrise In Beijing” opens the new “Stretch Music” album by trumpeter Christian Scott who is one of the most important young musicians around at the moment. Flutist Elena Pinderhughes gives this track, which lives from the drum pad backbeat of Corey Fonville, an exotic twist. Christian also plays the sirenette and reverse…
The themes of night/moon/blue serve as the backdrop for pianist Michael Wollny‘s new album. The much talked-about musician ranks among the most important and imaginative young musicians in Germany. The melancholy of “Questions In A World Of Blue” from “Twin Peaks” is like a common thread that reappears here more than once. But the trio with Christian…
Founding member of the New York Voices, singer Kim Nazarian finally releases her first solo album, produced by her husband Jay Ashby, who is also featured on trombone throughout. “Some Morning” opens with a lively, swinging “Robbin’s Nest/Boneology” where Jay can be heard prominently and efficiently. As can be Sean Jones on trumpet. The Linda…
I was positively surprised when I received the latest album by saxophonist Tim Garland, who turns 49 today, on vinyl. “Return To The Fire” is the sequel to Tim’s “Enter The Fire” album and, like he says in the liner notes, “a heartfelt homage to the music that stops me in my tracks…”. The new compositions were written while…
Pianist Sullivan Fortner, who also works in Roy Hargrove‘s band, just had to be recorded one day. Not only because he is a brilliant pianist, but also a prolific composer as well. Five of the songs from his debut album are original compositions, with the title track being the first movement of a six-part suite,…
Singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli opens his new album with songs written by Paul McCartney with “Silly Love Songs”, recorded for the 1976 Wings LP “Wings At The Speed Of Sound” and arranges it with a sweet and catchy background courtesy of Jessica Molaskey and Madeleine Pizzarelli. It reminds me of his equally poignant version…