New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 28th June 2024
Instead of watching Glastonbury coverage, you could always check out the incredible new releases we've got lined up for you! First up: Love Heart Cheat Code, the new album from Australian neo-soul outfit Hiatus Kaiyote, bringing their signature hallucinogenic funk to the forefront. Then, dive into Dal Sasso Big Band's homage to Chick Corea with "Three Quartets" Revisited, a tribute you won't want to miss. Jihyee Lee Orchestra's Infinite Connections offers an intriguing blend of large-scale jazz and cultural exploration, while trumpeter Steven Nichols takes us on a reflective journey with From Dust. Finally, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet's historic Live in Montreal May 1975 brings an electrifying presence, and don't forget the old-world vibes of Les DeMerle's Sound 67 on Once In A Lifetime. Enjoy!
The cultish jazz-funksters from down under return for their first album in three years. This new release follows 2021’s Mood Valiant, which became the group’s highest-charting record to date, and highlights all the infectious energy they’ve steadily accumulated since breaking through at DJ Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards in early 2013. Lead singer Nai Palm’s addictive refrains venture through a trippy world of late-night mischief and adventure, which at points begins to feel like a culmination of their experiences and influences, offering a fresh yet familiar sound.
Available Format: CD
Led by renowned French arranger and conductor Christophe Dal Sasso, his eponymous group reimagines original compositions from Chick's renowned jazz album released in 1981 through the dynamic lens of a big band combo. With pieces dedicated to Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, the album features masterful solos and tight ensemble playing. In honouring the late Corea's legacy while bringing a fresh perspective to his music, this recording balances reverence for the original material with innovative reinterpretation, adding new layers of complexity and richness through the full range of its modern big band instrumentation.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Released in May, this recording marks the latest achievement from the innately talented South Korean composer and bandleader Jihye Lee, whose music investigates themes of human relationships and interconnectedness. Each piece on the album delves into different aspects of these topics, as she integrates elements of her heritage and identity while contributing to cross-cultural dialogues in her work. Whilst she brushes off comparisons to Darcy James Argue, Lee's radiant big band of spellbinding soloists remains its own unique entity.
Available Format: CD
One of the best things about Ubuntu Music founder Martin Hummel is his unwavering commitment to nurturing bright young talent. This debut from London-based trumpeter Steven Nichols is no exception; it’s a wonderful recording with much to offer. The sprightly musician has a keen eye for selecting bandmates, particularly saxophonist Charlie Rees, whose original compositions complement his leader’s faith-centred approach, mirroring the quintet’s cohesive bond. Throughout his studies at Birmingham Junior Conservatoire, Chetham’s School of Music and finally the Royal Academy of Music, Nichols has clearly invested his 10,000 hours, emerging as a mature performer with the enviable tones of a player twice his age.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Something of a rarity, this unearthed compilation was laid down in 1967 before seemingly disappearing from the hands of the record executives for good. Lucky for us, the veteran New York drummer kept hold of the original acetates his whole life before blessing us with their presence on this disc over half a century later. This vintage recording of the short-lived Sound 67 band is not without its charm, a bit like seeing sepia-blotched pictures of your grandad in his cummerbund at Christmas. Almost resembling library music inasmuch as it does the progressive jazz DeMerle would soon go on to record, its players' fine handiwork also denotes the first featured appearance of one Randy Brecker.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
By 1975, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley was nearing the end of a prolific and influential career. Typical performances from that era often featured a mix of classic hits like 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' along with newer material proclaiming his evolving sound, which by the mid-decade had incorporated more elements of funk and electric jazz — the broader trends in jazz at the time — yet remained soulful to the end. This concert took place at the Place des Arts in Montreal, and it is remembered as one of the legendary alto saxophonist's last notable appearances before his sudden passing just a few months later.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Barney Whittaker
