fri 20/06/2025

New Music Reviews

Zhenya Strigalev's Smiling Organizm, Ronnie Scott's

Matthew Wright

The musical concept behind this constellation of international stars at Ronnie Scott’s last night was simple. Take a sextet of some of the world’s finest improvising jazz musicians, give them either a funky groove, gentle swing or a bass-fired post-bop beat, and ample space to improvise. Sit back and enjoy the sonic fireworks.

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Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2014, Koko

joe Muggs

In a world where everyone is expected to be a “brand”, Gilles Peterson sets some very interesting precedents.

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Reissue CDs Weekly: Small Faces

Kieron Tyler

 

Small Faces Here Comes the Nice The Immediate YearsSmall Faces: Here Comes the Nice - The Immediate Years

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CD: The Gloaming - The Gloaming

peter Quinn

Musically, lyrically, dramatically, on every count this debut album from The Gloaming is exceptional. Four-fifths of the group - Clare fiddle player Martin Hayes, Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, the Cúil Aodha sean nós singer Iarla Ó Lionaird and Dublin-born hardanger player Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh - are all well-known figures within traditional Irish music.

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Reissue CDs Weekly: Jackson C. Frank

Kieron Tyler

 

Jackson C. FrankJackson C. Frank: Jackson C. Frank

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Gwilym Simcock, Kings Place

Matthew Wright

Gwilym Simcock, pianist, composer, and jazz-classical crossover specialist, is releasing two albums this year, and at Kings Place last night, the audience had a taste of both. An evening billed as the launch of Instrumation, Simcock’s new album of original suites, became a kind of Simcock tasting menu. He played half of Instrumation, which was officially launched, and sections from his second album of 2014, Reverie at Schloss Elmau.

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Landes, Aurora Orchestra, Collon, Kings Place

David Nice

May this be a New Year sign and a symbol of a revitalized concert scene to come: an eclectic programme of dazzling range to draw in the new pick-and-mix generation, full of segues that worked and executed with the right balance of poetry and in-your-face exuberance by a crack team of young players.

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Reissue CDs Weekly: Love, Poetry and Revolution

Kieron Tyler

 

love poetry and revolution Various Artists: Love, Poetry and Revolution

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Album of the Year: Wayne Shorter Quartet - Without A Net

peter Quinn

In jazz, 2013 belonged to Wayne Shorter. In recognition of a remarkable six-decade career as a saxophonist, educator and composer, Shorter, who turned 80 in August last year, received a lifetime achievement award from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz – only the second time in the Institute’s history that it has bestowed such an honour (Quincy Jones being the first recipient in 1996).

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Reissue CDs Weekly: The Best of 2013

Kieron Tyler

Despite his nickname and habit of doing a bunk, George “Shadow” Morton was one of America’s highest-profile and most distinctive producers and songwriters. He was responsible for shaping the sound and style of The Shangri-Las, Janis Ian, Vanilla Fudge and The New York Dolls. Until the release of Sophisticated Boom Boom!! – The Shadow Morton Story, the musical side of his story had not been told. A consummate collection, this significant release was pulled off with style.

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