October 2026
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.
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
Ezra Collective - Here Because Of Hope
(Partisan Records) - Released: 11th September 2026
Femi Koleoso (drums); TJ Koleoso (bass); Joe Armon-Jones (keys); James Mollison (saxophone); Ife Ogunjobi (trumpet) with guests.
'Ezra Collective's 'Here Because Of Hope' is the most ambitious and personal record of their career - conceived as a body of work split into three spiritual and geographical movements, the album traces the movement of Black people across continents and decades, from the music of Africa to the rhythms of the Caribbean, and home to the streets of London. Formed in the youth clubs of London, Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winners Femi Koleoso, TJ Koleoso, Joe Armon-Jones, James Mollison and Ife Ogunjobi have now spent over a decade making jazz joyful, urgent and undeniable. On 'Here Because Of Hope,' they push that vision further than ever, asking a simple but profound question: why does so much Black music born out of pain sound so joyful? Their answer is hope: the belief, carried across generations and oceans, that something better is possible. Anchored by collaborations with Pa Salieu, Lila Iké, Leona Lewis, and reaching across the full breadth of the global African diaspora (including America, where those same African and Caribbean roots gave birth to jazz itself) 'Here Because Of Hope' is a record of remarkable warmth, ambition and humanity, and the sound of Britain's most vital band at the peak of their powers.' (album notes)
Jamie Safir - Momentism
(Chill Tone Records) - Released: 4th September 2026
Jamie Safir (piano); Iain Ballamy (tenor saxophone); Conor Chaplin (double bass); Luke Tomlinson (drums)
'British pianist and composer Jamie Safir makes a debut as a bandleader with “Momentism,” via Chill Tone Records. Known as a highly sought-after accompanist for acclaimed vocalists including Veronica Swift and Kylie Minogue, Safir steps into the spotlight with a collection of melodically engaging original compositions. Joined by bassist Conor Chaplin, drummer Luke Tomlinson, and saxophonist Iain Ballamy, “Momentism” showcases the quartet’s expressive dynamic and emotionally moving original music. (album notes)
Ayanna Witter-Johnson - New Roots
(Hill and Gully Records) - Released: 18th September 2026
Ayanna Witter-Johnson (vocals, cello/strings, piano/keys, bass, percussion); Chris Morris (bass, drums, percussion); James Yarde (percussion, synth programming); Camilo Tirado (percussion); Tania Ilyashova (synths)
'‘New Roots’ is my second album, born from many moments of solitude. I wrote much of it during lockdown, on solo retreats in the English countryside, and in hotel rooms while touring. Those quiet moments became a kind of portal for me — a chance to listen more deeply, reflect, and reconnect with where I come from. The songs explore themes that feel central to my life: my British-Caribbean identity, the wisdom passed down from the Windrush generation in my family, grief, healing, and the process of finding your centre again amid life’s unexpected shifts. Throughout the album, my cello, Reuben, acts as a grounding force — sometimes a bassline, sometimes the drumming of a heartbeat, an anchor beneath the music. For me, ‘New Roots’ is about learning that even when emotions feel overwhelming, or life feels uncertain or fractured, it’s still possible to grow new roots.........' (album notes)