Recent Releases

October 2026
Some Recent Releases

A few words about recent releases / reviews:

Apart from where they are included in articles on this website, I don't have a 'Reviews' section for a number of reasons:

I receive so many requests to review recordings it is impossible to include them all.
Unlike some publications/blogs, Sandy Brown Jazz is not a funded website and it is not possible to pay reviewers.
Reviews tend to be personal opinions, something a reviewer likes might not suit you, or vice versa.
It is difficult to capture music in words, so much better to be able to listen and see whether the music interests you.

For these reasons in particular I just include a selection of recent recordings below where I share the notes issued by the musician(s) as an introduction and links to samples so you can 'taste' the music for yourselves. For those who like to read reviews, these, of course, can be checked out on other sites.

Some albums are priced in dollars or other currencies. These are marked ^. There are currency options if you proceed to order. Recordings are now regularly available on different formats (CD, mp3 downloads, vinyl) or platforms e.g iTunes, Spotify, etc. I am unable to list them all so it is worth checking if you have a favourite platform).

Featured In October 2026

UK

Beies
(Jazz Cat Records) - Released: 7th August 2026

Ben Crosland (electric bass); Steve Waterman (trumpet); Steve Lodder (piano); Chris Allard (guitar); Nic France (drums)

'North Yarks such as Lilla Howe, Ain Howe and the legendary Fat Betty cross. ....Inspired by Crosland's regular visits to the region over many years, North York Skies is both a vivid musical journey and a heartfelt tribute to a landscape that has become central to his life. ....' (album notes)

Details : Listen to Ballad Of Lilla Howe : Listen to Purple Is The Colour :

Jalf
(Whittington Records) - Released: 26th June 2026

Jack Wilson (tenor sax, compositions); Billy Marrows (electric guitar); Max Kahn (double bass); Jack Yardley (drums)

'The album ood, sparked by a regular garden visitor and the angular groove of 1980s John Scofield. At the heart of the album is the chemistry between the four musicians, built over years of collaboration ...... (album notes)

Details : Samples : Listen to P&P : Listen to Lullaby :

Maer
(Mali Sheard Music) - Released: 4th September 2026

Mali Sheard (saxes, composition); Rob Luft (guitar); Huw Warren (piano); Keira Chakraborty (flute); Kyle Osborne (piano); George Balmont (electric bass); Luke McCarthy (drums)

'Mali Shear.. The meaning of the album title refers to how good changes can be uncomfortable, portrayed by the unpleasant hay fever symptoms that accompany the warmer, brighter days. Tracks When The Sun and Breathe feature field recorded birdsong and rain from her local childhood forest, .... The music encourages listeners to reflect on life so far, allow themselves to feel and continue onwards feeling uplifted.' (album notes)

Details and Sample : Listen to When The Sun : Listen to Afternoon Tea With A Demon :

Josh Mortal
(Efpi Records) - Released: 7th August 2026

Graham South (trumpet, except track 4); Olivia Cuttill (trumpet track 4); Kyran Matthews (tenor sax); Ellie Smith (trombone); Richard Jones (piano); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Johnny Hunter (drum kit)

Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley The Mild Mannered and the Mortal.jpg

'The Mild Mplains, “nor could I! It’s more my attempt at realising the memory of the dream, at somehow capturing and communicating the joy I felt discovering and listening to that music”......... (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Toby Would've Hated This : Listen to Rich And Catherine :

SamMoon
(self release) - Released: 7th Januarty 2026 [Vinyl, Download, Streaming]

Sam Furlonger (vocals); Fraser Urquhart (piano, arrangements); Fraser Smith (saxes); Darren McCarthy (bass); Harry Sankey (guitar) and Joe Dessauer (drums)

Sam Furlonger Get Out And Get Under The Moon.jpg

'Since the idea of putting an album together came about, I've always wanted a vinyl release. Somethieding everything to be perfect just isn't possible and can really take the joy out of an endeavour. Working with these musicians has been a complete joy, as I said before they're friends first so it truly was a lad's holiday with a recording session in it. They all played incredibly, as they always do, and that really comes across on the record.... (Sam Furlonger)

Details and Samples : Insight article for Sandy Brown Jazz : Listen to She's Funny That Way :

America

Lin Skies

(Biophilia Records) - Released: 21st August 2026 (digital album)

Linda May Han Oh (bass); Melissa Aldana (tenor saxophone)

Linda May Han Oh Beneath Lifted Skies.jpg

'Beneath Lifted Skies is an intimate and expansive dialogue between bassist Linda May Han Oh anledging the pioneers who “lifted the skies” for future generations while inviting listeners into a boundless space where memory, imagination, freedom, and human connection converge.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to I'll Be Seeing You : Listen to Anthropology:

Ralr Sets
(ECM Records) - Released: 3rd July 2026

Ralph Alessi (trumpet); Joseph Alessi (trombone); Matt Mitchell (piano); John Hébert (double bass); Ches Smith (drums, vibraphone)

'For A Sun T programme that gives every facet of Ralph Alessi’s idiosyncratic playing the space to shine. Online magazine Making A Scene has noted how “Alessi’s trumpet tone is pure and stunning both in terms of range and moods conveyed” – a fact in evidence throughout this album. Mitchell on piano traces the themes while also playing “outside” the harmonies, dancing around the horns as Ches Smith and Hébert keep pulses fluid on high alert.' (album notes)

Details and Sample : Listen to Slow Dancing Bear : Listen to Sweet Spot

ChristWords
(Shifting Paradigm Records) - Released: 17th July 2026

Jim Baker (piano, ARP 2600); Christopher Dammann (double bass); James Davis (trumpet, electronics); Jon Irabagon (stritch, effects); Mike Reed (drums)

'ChicagChicago’s creative music tradition.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Montrose B : Listen to White Gladis:

Marf You
(Fallen Apple Records) - Released: 27th April 2026

Marcus Goldhaber (vocals); Art Hirahara (piano); Michael O’Brien (acoustic & electric bass); Alvester Garnett (drums); Paul Bollenback (acoustic & electric Guitar Tracks 3 and 6); Jay Rattman (tenor & soprano saxophones, clarinet Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6); Summer Camargo (trumpet Tracks 4 and 8); Keita Ogawa (percussion Track 3)

'The Promise rch for companionship, fuelled by hope and promise. My hope is that these songs meet you wherever you are, remind you that you are not alone and bring you as much joy as it brought us to create!' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Skylark : Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come :

Europe and Elsewhere

Soe To Bloom?
(Salon Africana Records) - Released: 7th August 2026

Somi Kakoma (vocals) with various musicians

'Somi Kakomaat it means to inhabit multiple worlds at once. ...... Written and recorded between Dakar, Lagos, Paris, and New York City — with Somi also newly rooted between New York and Nairobi — the album carries the imprint of movement ......' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Ngayaya : Listen to Throw Something :

Adamless

(ACT Records) - Released: 28th August 2026

Adam Bałdych (violin); Daniele di Bonaventura (bandoneon); Jacob Karlzon (piano); Michel Benita (double bass).

Adam Baldych European Quartet Endless.jpg

'Adam Bałdyperformance than a spiritual journey. Bałdych’s violin leads the music inward, lyrical, fragile and prayer-like, while bandoneon, piano and double bass respond with subtle gestures, shared breath and luminous restraint.....' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Long Way Home : Listen to Michalena :

Niliet
(Edition Records) - Released: 10th July 2026

Nils Petter Molvær (trumpet) with various musicians including Marilyn Mazur (percussion); John Paul Jones (piano) and Imogen Heap (voice, electronics)

'Norwegiaponding in real time and shaping a body of work that remains fluid, intimate and constantly in motion.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to London-Hackney: Listen to Copenhagen

Co le
(Intakt Records) - Released: 21st August 2026

Co Streiff (alto saxophone); Russ Johnson (trumpet); Christian Weber (double bass); Gerry Hemingway (drums)

Co Streiff Russ Johnson Quartet - Oracle.jpg

'The musicas followed for several years, followed by a long hiatus. The musicians reunited in 2019, with Gerry Hemingway stepping on drums, and as heard on Oracle, recorded on different stops along the group’s 2023 tour, the rejiggered line-up had hit its stride", writes Peter Margasak in the liner notes.' (album notes)

Details and Sample : Listen to Smithy Street :

Reissues

Phan Vol 2

(SWP Records) - Released: 18th September 2026

Phil Seaman (drums) wit various musicians

Phil Seaman The Late Great Phil Seaman Vol 2.jpg

'Phil Seamen adduction increasingly dogged his career, and it cut short his life. This is our second album of highlights of his playing. Enjoy the cosmic spark that was Seamen's unique talent - it makes this music timeless.' (album notes)

Details and Samples : Listen to Tangerine : Listen to Harry Flicks :

Gims

(Avid Records) - Released: 2026 [2 CDs]

Gigi Gryce (saxophone, flute, clarinet), Donald Byrd (trumpet) with various musicians.

Gigi Gryce Donald Byrd Four Classic Albums.jpg

'AVID Jazetails. Albums include: 'Jazz Lab (1)', 'Jazz Lab (2)', 'Jazz Lab Quintet' and 'Modern Jazz Perspectives'. (album notes)

Details :

Gil Scoan Masters

(Ace Records) - Released: 28th August 2026 [3 CDs]

Gil Scott-Heron (vocals, piano) with various musicians

Gil Scott-Heron The Revolution Begins.jpg

'The three been es. Access to those tapes has also enabled us to assemble an alternate version of Gil’s third album, “Free Will”.' (album notes)

Details and Samples Ace Records :

Ma972
(NoBusiness Records) - Released: 1st May

Marion Brown (alto saxophone); Gunter Hampel (vibraphone); Barre Phillips (bass); Steve McCall (drums)

Marion Brown Live In Europe 1968 and 1972.jpg

'Marion by far ttly, the amazing recordings of Fred Anderson. Marion Brown is one of those jazz geniuses that could expand his soul into simple horn lines with such grace as to make the angels jealous...... (Kenneth Blanchard)

Details and Samples : Listen to Current Events : Listen to Epiphanie :