One of my favorite tracks of the past year is “The Greatest” by female trio KING. Finally, here they are with their debut album “We Are KING”. If you’re a child of the 80s, and cherish the soul and r&b sounds of the 1980-1985 era, this is for you. The three ladies, twins Amber and…
New York-based vocalist Mary Foster Conklin has just released her fourth CD called “Photographs” (her first since 2006), named after a Fran Landesman song. There is a total of five Landesman songs on the album. The songwriter is probably best-known for her “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most”, but Mary also chose to…
Malian singer Rokia Traoré opens the latest album by trumpet virtuoso Erik Truffaz. They both introduce “Doni Doni” with a folklore miniature called “Comptine” before the full quartet sets in with thick electric keyboards on “Kudu”, a track that is both Weather Report and modern jazz dance groove, the type of which he more or…
The beauty of pianist Tord Gustavsen‘s new album “What Was Said” lies in the vocals of German-Afghan artist Simin Tander who is singing Norwegian traditionals and church hymns not only in English, but also in Pashto, the national Afghan language. Listen to “I See You”, a beautifully executed Norwegian traditional with intensely melodic backing by…
Brazilian singer and songwriter Joyce Moreno and pianist Kenny Werner are touring Europe in February in support of their recently released “Poesia” album, an intimate collection of 13 songs from the Brazilian and American songbook plus a traditional and a beautiful original tune which opens the album: “Second Love Song” is as pure and concentrated…
Here we go again – the 2015 edition was reviewed on these pages on February 6th of last year, and the latest Luxury Soul compilation just came in. Another 3-CD box set with the finest quality indie soul, starting with The Sound Principle feat. Richard Anthony Davis and “Heartbreaking” (do I hear a Sharon Redd…
I remember Bill Frisell‘s fantastic performance at last year’s North Sea Jazz Festival – it was actually one of the best concerts I saw during those three days. Part of his repertoire were songs from movies and TV and his latest album is just that: Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Henry Mancini and music from “Psycho”…
It is his most ambitious recording project yet, according to the liner notes. And even though he has indeed recorded what feels like a million different things, it seems hard to believe that Nils Landgren will turn 60 next month. So consider this as his birthday present – and he not only has the Bochumer…
The first names for the 41st North Sea Jazz Festival have been announced this morning. Among the artists for Friday, July 8th, are The Roots, Snarky Puppy, Diana Krall, Antonio Sanchez and Migration, and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah presents Stretch Music. On Saturday, July 9th, we’ll get Steps Ahead Reunion, Level 42, Branford Marsalis featuring Kurt Elling…
New York-born pianist Jon Davis, longtime member of the band of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, releases his third album for the Posi-Tone label called “Changes Over Time”. And he opens his set with an ebullient interpretation of the Mal Waldron classic “Soul Eyes” infusing it with panache and ease. His band mates are bassist Ugonna Okegwo,…