July 2024
Some Recent Releases
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:
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I receive so many requests to review recordings it is impossible to include them all.
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Unlike some publications/blogs, Sandy Brown Jazz is not a funded website and it is not possible to pay reviewers.
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Reviews tend to be personal opinions, something a reviewer likes might not suit you, or vice versa.
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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.
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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 July 2024
UK
Sam Braysher - That's Him : The Music Of Kurt Weill
(self-release) - Released: 28th June 2024
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Sam Braysher (alto saxophone); Sara Dowling (vocals tracks 2, 6, 9); Matyas Gayer (piano); Dario Di Lecce (double bass); Steve Brown (drums)
'Sam Braysher’s new record (2024) takes a closer look at the fascinating music of German-American composer Kurt Weill. The London-based alto saxophonist received widespread acclaim for the two previous albums released under his own name, both of which feature renowned international collaborators. An intriguing look at some of Kurt Weill's lesser-known compositions, ranging from straight-ahead swingers, to more introspective numbers that capture his earlier, more Eurocentric classical side. Sam Braysher is joined by an all-star rhythm section, with special guest vocalist Sara Dowling appearing on three of the ten tracks' (album notes)
Elaine Delmar - Speak Low
(Ubuntu Music) - Released: 19th July 2024
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Elaine Delmar (vocals); Barry Green (piano); Jim Mullen (guitar); Simon Thorpe (double bass); Andy Panayi (flute on title track)
'This is vocalist Elaine Delmar's first album in many years, It features some of the real treasures from her repertoire. The songs span the decades, from the 1920s to the 2000s, in arrangements by many of Elaine's wonderful musical collaborators over the years. The album features the musicians whom Elaine considers her musical family and highlights Elaine's unique ability to communicate the meaning of the lyric, the beauty of the melody and the reflective side of jazz. "The album features the musicians whom I consider my musical family. Most of the songs on this CD have been in my performing repertoire for many years but until now I had not recorded them. I am very fortunate to have had many diverse and highly original arrangements for me by different musicians that I have worked with closely over the more than 50 years of my career". (album notes / Elaine Delmar)
Orlando Le Fleming - Wandering Talk
(Whirlwind Recordings) - Released: 21st June 2024
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Philip Dizack (trumpet); Nathaniel Facey (alto sax 1,3,5,7); Tom Cawley (piano, Rhodes MK8, Prophet 12, Orberheim OB-6); James Maddren (drums); Orlando le Fleming (double & electric bass); Chris Martin, Nadia le Fleming (vocals 8)
'Bassist, bandleader and composer Orlando le Fleming continues to make music that crosses genres as readily as he crosses the Atlantic. After 20 years in New York City, he’s back in his native UK, forging new pathways and renewing old partnerships. His love for the acoustic tradition continues unabated alongside his deep affection for the robust, muscular electric fusion that emerged in the 1980s. The Romantic Funk project was born in New York’s legendary 55 Bar to explore that legacy: now the new album Wandering Talk builds on the acclaim generated by 2020’s The Unfamiliar, building on the framework with a set of collaborators that brings together London and New York, past and present, acoustic and electric, and merges it all into a spectacular whole. Following the same principles that served the project in NYC, le Fleming booked four Friday nights at London’s renowned Vortex Club to workshop the music that would become the album, with a rotating cast of players which he honed down into the final line-up. Old London friends Tom Cawley (piano/keys) and James Maddren (drums) completed the rhythm section: new acquaintance Nathaniel Facey was picked from the ranks of the UK’s brightest young saxophone players: NYC stalwart Philip Dizack flew in from the US to play trumpet: and reaching back to Orlando’s school days and forward to his own family, onetime classmate Chris Martin (now of stadium rockers Coldplay) and his own daughter Nadia combined to provide vocals on a special setting of Rumi’s poetry. ..... (album notes).
Zara McFarlane - Sweet Whispers : Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
(Eternal Source Of Light Records) - Released: 14th June 2024
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Zara McFalane (vocals); Giacomo Smith (clarinet, soprano sax); Gabriella Swallow (cello); Joe Webb (piano); Ferg Ireland (bass); Jas Kayser (drums); Marlon Hibbert (steel pan)
'Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and leading UK jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane releases Sweet Whispers – Celebrating Sarah Vaughan on 14th June. The album honours the jazz great who inspired her on her own artistic journey and whose centenary year is marked in 2024. ‘Sweet Whispers’ is more than a run-through of some of Vaughan’s most popular songs. It’s not hard to imagine the immense task in selecting those songs, after all, Vaughan’s recording career spanned 50 years notching up almost 60 albums (plus nearly 30 again in compilations and box sets). Through a thoughtfully chosen selection of songs, formed across months in collaboration with producer, and the album’s clarinettist and saxman, Giacomo Smith – Zara journeys through the musical life of Sarah Vaughan, from her first to last recording, bringing to life and breathing new life into some of her best and less familiar songs. But importantly, the songs that mean the most to Zara. Zara McFarlane said “It was when I started to listen to Sarah Vaughan that I really began to appreciate jazz vocals. She had such control across her range and a vocal command that was cheeky, playful and fun yet sophisticated and articulate. I really wanted to pay homage to her as I feel she has been somewhat overlooked amongst the jazz singers. Although I do love Ella and Billie, it's all about Sarah for me.” .... (album notes)
Fergus McCreadie - Stream
(Edition Records) - Released: 3rd May 2024
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Fergus McCreadie (piano); David Bowden (double bass); Stephen Henderson (drums)
' ..... The album’s narrative is a testament to the trio’s evolving musical identity, meticulously crafted to mirror a journey from darkness to light. McCreadie shares, “What I like most about this album is that it evolves from dark to light as the album goes on. It’s a sort of cloudy skies to sunnier skies journey, quite different from previous albums where the track sequence was more arbitrary.” Their sound, a nuanced tapestry woven with delicate touches and bold strokes, speaks of their confidence and exuberance in forging a distinct path. “Stream” is an exploration of shared passions and expressions, pushing the boundaries of their musical language and vocabulary to new depths. With “Stream,” Fergus McCreadie, Bowden, and Henderson offer a refreshing antidote to the predictable. Their music is a celebration of individuality, a journey that resonates with the trio’s unique voice. It’s an invitation to listeners to immerse themselves in a soundscape that’s both familiar in its Scottish roots and revolutionary in its jazz execution – a goal every artist aspires to achieve ......' (album notes)
Nigel Price Organ Trio - Live '23
(Nervy Nigel Records) - Released: 3rd June 2024 [2 CDs]
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Nigel Price (guitar); Ross Stanley (Hammond organ); Peter Johnstone (organ); Joel Barford (drums)
'Live '23 was recorded across three nights on the Nigel Price Organ Trio' s extensive (43 date) tour of the UK in 2023. Jazz groups seldom have the opportunity to play together night after night. The resulting synergy from this often goes undocumented, but luckily for the trio, three sound engineers just happened to capture three corking gigs! Only the second set at the Lighthouse in Deal was documented, but they managed to get the whole lot from the Globe in Newcastle. The other three tracks are from taken from the album launch at Pizza Express in Soho, London. As well as the regular line up of Joel, Ross and Nigel this recording also features another remarkable organist - Peter Johnstone from Glasgow, who depped for Ross on the northern/Scottish leg of the tour. It's a glimpse into life on the road, 'at the coal face', and the reality of the music at the point of delivery from perhaps the most prolific UK touring jazz group of the 21st century.' (album notes)