I still remember my surprise when I first heard singer Maya Delilah on the second version of the Blue Note compilation series “Blue Note Re:Imagined”. It came out in September of last year and featured Maya with her brilliant take on Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”. Since then, she has released some beautiful folk-induced singles like…
Gina’s favorite singer José James returns with a fantastic new song, preceding his album “1978”, due out on his own Rainbow Blonde Records on April 5th. With production nods to Quincy Jones and Leon Ware, José has worked with Brazilian rising star Xênia França and Congolose/Belgian rapper Baloji. His band on the album also includes…
Lizz Wright is back with new music. She has just released a cover version of Candi Staton’s “Sweet Feeling”, which Candi recorded for her debut album “I’m Just A Prisoner” in 1970. Lizz’ version is a wonderful, bluesy treat with church-like organ and a relaxing drum beat. Her voice is a wonder, again. The track…
Brazilian pop star Ed Motta is back with his 14th studio album. Inspired by movies (George Cukor, Jacques Tati) and old TV series (“Barnaby Jones”, “The Streets Of San Francisco”, “Colombo”), his psychedelic soul, as he himself calls his music, has reached another level. Recorded in Brazil (his main band), Detroit (brass) and LA (singers),…
UK-based indie/neo soul chanteuse Natasha Watts is back with her fourth album “Music Is My Life”. The singer and songwriter, who had huge success back in 2009 with Cool Million, opens her 11-track album with “I Am Me”, a shining and sophisticated soul number which already had remix treatment by Atjazz. She follows it up…
There is a lot to love about singer Ann Hampton Callaway. Her rich and sumptuous voice, her vast repertoire (songs of Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, movie themes…), her never ending tour dates (she seems to be out on the road all the time). And then there is her ability to write magnificent songs, which have…
On November 11th, Groningen will once again be the hotspot for the latest innovative mix of live jazz, soul, alternative, r&b and more artists. On six stages, this year’s one-day festival will host an eclectic, and once again highly adventurous mélange of establised and up-and-coming musicians such as Marcus Miller, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Butcher Brown,…
We already wrote about Jalen Ngonda back in early July and witnessed his captivating performance at this year’s North Sea Jazz Festival. His debut album is out since two weeks now and we continue to play it almost every day. At this point, we just want to remind you to check him out on his…
Manchester-based trumpeter, composer, producer, and label owner Matthew Halsall wanted to capture “the feeling of openness and escapism” for his new album “An Ever Changing View”, which arrived last Friday, three years after his stunning “Salute To The Sun” LP. He set himself up in an architect’s house in the British countryside and composed this…
Two years after “In Praise Of Shadows”, the critically acclaimed debut album by Jacob Allen, better known as Puma Blue, the South Londoner is back with “Holy Waters”. It’s another hopelessly romantic, in parts pretty gloomy, but overall absolutely exciting set of tunes. His whispering vocals lead the charming melody of “Pretty”, a guitar-driven ballad…