Cloud 10

British artist Chip Wickham is from Brighton but is part of the Manchester jazz scene that includes such luminaries as Matthew Halsall. His new album ‘Cloud 10’ is one of my favorites of the year and represents something progressive yet accessible. The track ‘Winter’ is perhaps the album’s centerpiece and is a good introduction to …

Sol Set

A Brazilian style album courtesy of Detroit? Yup, courtesy of the collective Sol Set. It has a beautifully mellow jazz vibe, while still having those samba rhythms that are like a burst of sunshine on aplomb fringed beach. There are multiple vocalists and a range of styles that somehow still fit together perfectly.

Talk Memory

BadBadNotGood are joined on their latest album by Brazilian legend, Arthur Verocai, renown for his self-titled 1972 album beloved by all Brazilian music enthusiasts. The psychedelic opener is a nine-minute jazz fusion track produced by Floating Points, while other collaborators include drummer Kerriem Riggins. Yet the album is more than oddball virtuosity, there are melodies …

Flor

Gretchen Parlato has one of the most unique voices in music. Her jazz stylings are wonderful live, and sound just as good recorded. Her latest album features a heavy (or perhaps a better word is light) Brazilian influence with Airto Moriera joining her on one track. Elsewhere, Gerald Clayton and drummer Mark Guilliani join the …

Squint

Julian Lage can play jazz guitar. Very well. He’s the heir to the throne occupied by previous guitar gods like Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and West Montgomery. His new album, Squint’ is currently affording me much pleasure and is the perfect mellow late-night listen

Nightrider

Talented jazz guitarist Tom Misch is responsible for 2018’s Geography, a melodic and groovy album that shows off Misch’s abilities to the max. This year he teamed up with drummer Yussef Dayes to produce a looser, more improvisational album, which still benefits from a good ear for melody. It’s probably my favorite of the year, …

The Sound I Saw

Roy DeCarava documented the great days of jazz. His book ‘The Sound I Saw’ has some of the most iconic images of the medium. Perhaps even more famous for his collaboration with Langston Hughes, ‘The Sweet Flypaper of Life,’ DeCarava is now enjoying something of a revival thanks to ‘Light Break’ a retrospective of his …

Wilkes

Last year, Sam Wilkes produced a beautiful short album/EP that Ive only really probably listened to now. And its a wonderful piece of work that works great as late night listening. Here’s a sample

Seymour reads the Constitution

Brad Mehldau is one of the greatest exponents of jazz piano in the world and has released a new album ‘Seymour Reads the Constitution’ with his regular trio that shows the power of beautifully played well-interpreted songs, whether they be by Paul McCartney or Frederick Loewe.

Shiroi

Mansur Brown is guitar player on the jazz label ‘Black Focus’ and his album Shiroi (which apparently means white in Japanese) is a great showcase for his skills. Purely instrumental, the album manages to hold your attention throughout and has been on constant rotation in my home this month. Here’s a sample