The Bebop Shop : Current Events: New Jazz and Beyond : Modern Jazz In Britain
The set draws from purely improvised free music through to the compositions of Thelonious Monk and an exquisite ballad by Billy Strayhorn. Although it would be hard to equate the music with the leadership of anyone other than Dave Green, the music successfully flows freely and inspiringly between all the participants, achieving a musical conversation of the highest order. (Proper Music) Price: £14.99
Formed of long standing friends, Howl Quartet brings together four of the finest young improvisers from London's vibrant jazz scene, who through a period of intense collective study and writing, have developed a warm chemistry full of adventure, surprise and energy. Having already performed at The London Jazz Festival, Vortex Jazz Club and Kansas Smitty's, they released their debut album entitled 'Life As We See It' on the 5th March 2021. The album has since received upwards of 75K streams and been described by The Jazz Mann as 'a highly impressive début offering… with the considerable individual talents of its members combining to create an even more impressive whole'. Howl Quartet are grateful recipients of Help Musicians' 'Do It Differently Fund', which supports this release. Price: £10.99
Blue splatter 45rpm coloured vinyl LP. Limited Edition. Price: £21.99
'Portrait' is a journey from Wallen's sumptuous experiences of decades of extensive travelling, studying contemporary and indigenous cultures and connecting with people from all over the world, to realigning himself with the colourful kaleidoscope that is his own local community. He explains: "This album is a meditation and reflection on the powerful impact that music has had on my life. It was conceived whilst sitting in the central square in Woolwich, an area of South East London. I was struck by the community around me with its mixture of cultures and nationalities, from Nepalese elders to young Nigerian men, Somali mothers with their children, a new Eastern European contingent and descendants of families who used to work in the docks and at the Arsenal. Music paved my way to travel and see the world, meeting people from all different cultures and walks of life. The study of music and the process of striving to become a better musician furnished me with a deeper knowledge of self and a gift I could share on so many different levels." (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
Gary’s latest album, and his first for Edition, A Meeting of Spirits is an innovative re-interpretation of the music of legendary guitarist, bandleader and composer John McLaughlin that in many ways demonstrates the totality of Husband’s multifaceted talent. In “...dissecting, reforming and freshly presenting...” the music of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Husband - a long time collaborator with McLaughlin - pays personal and intimate homage to the iconic guitarist while showcasing his own highly distinctive creativity and personal expression. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
“Riser marks the first occasion on which I’ve released a selection of my original songs. I have always considered myself as being primarily a performer and secondly a composer” says Rob “and feel more at home standing on the kind of “Riser” that can be found in London’s jazz clubs rather than sitting at home writing music.” (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
The titles on it are a very mixed bag including jazz classics by Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, to more modern jazz standards by Pat Metheny, to jazz takes on contemporary tunes by Nirvana and The Police. (Trio Records) Price: £14.99
The Ronnie Scott's Club Quintet features James Pearson on piano, Alex Garnett on saxophone, Sam Burgess on bass, Freddie Gavita on trumpet and Chris Higginbottom on drums. The final track of the album also includes Brandon Allen on saxophone. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
In this solo format the intensely lyrical quality always evident in Jason’s music comes to the fore and, allied to his formidable technique and maturity as an artist and musician, ensures that on Held, he is creating some of the most compelling and beautiful music of his career.
As Jason explains: ‘throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to play in wide-ranging and diverse scenarios, but never had an opportunity to immerse myself fully in the piano. I’ve reached a point now where I feel there is something to say with just a piano and I’m relishing this opportunity to consolidate all my musical experiences on this record’. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
includes HD download code.
Their first collaboration was back in 2009, when the three musicians recorded and toured with Mark Lockheart’s acclaimed album ‘In Deep’, a record that brought these three musicians together as part of a quintet. Since then, each of them has developed a huge mutual respect and friendship, that to form a trio seemed the most logical and natural next step. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
180g vinyl pressing.
Collaborating again with UK luminaries (including three fellow Whirlwind artists) Tori Freestone (saxes/flutes), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass) and Dave Hamblett (drums), this collection of eight Neame originals gyrates energetically with complex written grooves and varying instrumental colors to spark opportunities for venturous, improvised blowing. (Proper Note) Price: £13.99
Taking its title from Hindu philosophy, the Sanskrit Moksha refers to emancipation from the cycle of death and rebirth - to ultimate freedom from earthbound cares and ignorance leading to self-realization and self-knowledge - a form of release recognisable in great music too.
Ivo's own music has been somewhat in the shade of his other successful and better known projects. Moksha allows him to step into the full sun with a bright and beautiful new work. Ivo's sound is contemporary and modern and undeniably his. With Moksha, he has produced an album of sheer brilliance and class. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
He has also collaborated in free improvisation projects such as Sleepthief (with Tom Rainey and Ingrid Laubrock), and performed in ensembles with Peter Evans, Mary Halverson, Mat Manieri and Okkyung Lee. It now feels like the right time to strike out alone again. The album features idiosyncratic interpretations of the standard repertoire, contemporary songs, jazz compositions and some original improvisations inspired by the scenario. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
Mojo Risin' is a unique collection of original tunes by bassist Vicky Tilson that explore the themes of the credit crunch, patience with destiny, depression, risk-taking and eternity, skilfully utilising influences from such jazz luminaries as Charles Mingus, Michael Garrick, Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Empirical and Phronesis. Vicky's own journey into music wasn't an easy one and this album reflects her struggles with life as she embarked upon her professional career at the late age of 33. Featuring the talents of some of Britain's best undiscovered jazz musicians, the album is an epic exploration of odd meters, contemporary harmony and melodic invention that grooves and swings its way through all nine tracks. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
The group also pay homage to their founder, the late Michael Garrick MBE, by including two of his finest original compositions, hand-picked by his bass player of choice, Matt Ridley.
Teaming up for the session with stalwart UK saxophonist Dave O'Higgins, the ensemble also doff their cap to the collaboration between Sonny Rollins and the MJQ, featuring a rip-roaring version of "The Stopper", as well as the more moderate (but no less compelling) "No Moe" and "Scoops". (ProperNote) Price: £13.99
180g vinyl pressing plus HD download code.
Dipping into a diverse world of trip-hop, jazz and drum and bass rhythms, the record is influenced as much by the Cinematic Orchestra and Portishead as by James Blake and Bonobo, this music is both ethereal and visceral, brimming with real emotion and restless intelligence. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
The music was typical of NJYO’s repertoire of the time, featuring all of their fine writers/arrangers of the period: Mark Nightingale, Paul Higgs, Alan Hare, Harry South and Chris Smith. The recording quality isn’t fantastic but Bill Aston felt that music of this quality deserves to heard and cherished. (Proper Note) Price: £13.99
Overseen by new Music and Artistic Director Mark Armstrong ‘The Change’ also sees NYJO look forward artistically with new connections and directions, as well as celebrating its 47 year history with music that respects the great legacy of the big band sound. The recording also spotlights a particularly strong team of jazz soloists and presents a colourful variety of grooves and styles. (Proper Music) Price: £12.99
Recorded live, in the beautiful surroundings of Hawkshead in the Lake District, Westerly captures the intimate and ever-changing environment in which it was made. This notion of 'place' weaves itself throughout the entire album with the evocative Tideway being named after Norma Winstone’s coastal house in Deal and the title track (one of Iles’s best loved compositions) originally written to set the scene of writer Mary Webb’s birthplace in rural Shropshire. In the spirit of printmaking however, Norma Winstone’s lyrics have recast this tune as an American Western tale - including some authentic banjo playing from Steve Watts.
In addition to Iles and Winstone’s intriguing originals, the remaining pieces emphasise some longstanding working relationships. Two tracks find Norma Winstone penning lyrics for Ralph Towner compositions (the great guitarist who recorded with Norma, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler in 1979), whilst ‘O’ acknowledges the influence John Taylor has had on every member of this ensemble. The final piece, The City Of Dallas (a humorous note on which to conclude), is written by Steve Swallow, with whom Norma Winstone and guitarist Mike Walker both have long working associations.
Brought together by their collective love of song and a powerful spirit of collaboration, The Printmakers set out to cross many musical boundaries. With themes of obsession, murder, migration, home and first love, Westerly presents a brilliant unity of concept and sound, delivered with honesty and stunning clarity. (Basho Records) Price: £13.99
If Berne has hit a new peak with his writing on this new recording, his band has reached a heightened state of collective interaction. Snakeoil can still be bracingly kinetic. But there is new space in these compositions and more lyrical focus to the improvisations, leading to a dramatic, even cinematic experience in such tracks as "Embraceable Me." Berne's music has never been richer or more arresting. (Proper Note) Price: £14.99
Stylistically touching upon genres of Modern Jazz, Groove, Hard/ Post Bop and more contemporary jazz music, the compositions are influenced by (among others); Alex Sypiagin, Mason Brothers, Roy Hargrove, Miles Davis, Joshua Redman & Christian Scott.
The debut album from the ensemble- 'And Now I Know' is a collection of 8 original tunes specifically composed for the members of the ensemble, performed in groups ranging from 6-9 musicians throughout. Price: £11.99
The recording features a powerful multi-cultural cast that reflect their own European stories. Internationally renowned bassist Alec Dankworth, drummer Mark Mondesir and pianist Zoe Rahman are joined by special guests clarinetist Shabaka Hutchings, mandolinist Cameron Pierre, electric violinist Omar Puente and drummer Robert Fordjour, amongst others. (Proper Music) Price: £14.99
Key component for the project is the award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman who previously worked on a duet album with Pine entitled 'Song' ( The Ballad Book), her playing here acting as an assured anchor to Pines' bass clarinet. Half of the tracks also feature a string quartet of two violas, violin, and cello.
The music here starts with an original composition 'Black Water' a gospel infused piece that sets the tone of the album. Pine's use of the bass clarinet as the lead voice throughout the album brings an alluring earthy flavour to the performances. Among the covers is the Welsh hymn 'Ayr Hod Y Nos' (All through the night) a song Pine first sung in school assembly as an 8-year-old at primary pupil. The arrangement came about after he performed at the Brecon Jazz Festival, during which he played a cadenza that incorporated the hymn, which unexpectedly, prompted male members of the audience to break out in song. It was then that Pine realised the significance of the song. Other covers include Irving Berlin's 'What'll I Do', Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile', Michel Legrand's 'Windmills Of My Mind' and others, vehicles created for Pine and Rahman to improvise on.
The last track, 'Your Majesty', was composed by Pine in dedication to Queen Elizabeth II. In 2000 he received an OBE from the late Queen and during their brief conversation Pine asked if anyone had composed music in her honour recently. She replied no and Pine's quest to find the ideal composition began. (Proper Music) Price: £14.99
Trichotomy are pianist Sean Foran, percussionist John Parker and double bassist Patrick Marchisella. Inspired by a diverse range of influences from Aphex Twin to Vijay Iyer, and John Zorn to Tord Gustavsen, Trichotomy's music combines a dense rhythmic focus with a refined melodic clarity. On their brilliant new album Fact Finding Mission the core trio is joined by Tunji Beier on percussion, Linsey Pollak on reeds, and guitarist James Muller allowing the band to draw on influences including elements from the European and Indian Folk traditions.
Fact Finding Mission shines with a bright vitality and an unbridled joy in music making. In many ways it's the band's most expansive recording but also one that really celebrates the unity of a band that have been playing together for 13 years. (Naim Label) Price: £13.99
Of this intensely personal album Geoff writes: "Recorded seven months after my mother's passing, my intense sense of loss has very much informed the emotional landscape of the music. Losing a loved-one makes one realise just how precious, fragile and transient life is, Furthermore, in the last year or so we have lost so many musical luminaries, none more brilliant than those two beacons of infinite light - Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor. This has brought the sentiments of this album into even greater focus for me". (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
Mark Lockheart has been at the forefront of the UK jazz scene for over twenty years, first with Loose Tubes, then with Perfect Houseplants, Django Bates’ Delightful Precipice, The Scratch Band, Big Idea, Robert Wyatt’s Soup Songs and Polar Bear. Now he introduces his latest band - the Mark Lockheart Group. (Harmonia Mundi) Price: £13.99
This all star seven- piece group includes Mark Lockheart (saxophone- Parliamentary Jazz Musician of the year 2010, Loose Tubes, Polar Bear etc) Seb Rochford (drums) Liam Noble (piano) Tom Herbert (bass) Finn Peters (alto sax), James Allsop (clarinets) and Margrit Hasler ( viola). Price: £13.99
As a drummer, Alyn Cosker grooves for a wide array of musicians in many styles, but it is in jazz that he is really making a name for himself. His drumming is influenced by many of the jazz greats including Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro. He has drummed for Joe Locke, Lee Konitz, Courtney Pine, Carol Kidd and Clare Teal.
As a writer he is influenced by many composers and in particular by saxophonist Tommy Smith who plays some wonderful solos on the album, including a driving solo on Bheki (a tribute to the late Bheki Mseleku). There are some soulful solos from fellow saxophonist Paul Towndrow on Lyn's Une and there are several energising and inventive solos from former rock guitarist David Dunsmuir throughout the album including on That's the Ticket - an upbeat funky track.
The rest of the rhythm section includes bassist Ross Hamilton and Jason Rebello on piano and the entire band can be heard playing together on Twitter and Bisted. Straight Through Boogaloo is a fantastic demonstration track to showcase Alyn Cosker's talents. His softer side can be heard on the final track When Autumn Comes co-written and performed by SNJO vocalist Maureen McMullan. (Linn Records) Price: £14.99
with Laurence Cottle (electric bass) & Ian Thomas (drums) Price: £14.99
Conductor of Give It One and Artistic Director of Cala Records, Geoffrey Simon, comments: “This CD shows not only that fine French horn players have the versatility and talent to excel in the big band idiom, but that they produce an amazing collective sound, like no big band ever heard before. The music goes from red-hot to velvety cool.” Simcock and the French horns are supported by the experienced Sam Burgess (bass) and Martin France (drums). (Cala Records) Price: £13.99
With this CD Tom takes a giant step forward from being one of the UK’s leading young saxophonists to acquiring his own one-of-a-kind sound that goes far beyond that of the average big band. (Candid Records) Price: £13.99
The quartet is completed by bassist Jeremy Brown and drummer Stu Butterfield. This is the group's first recording, joined on some tracks by guitarist Colin Oxley, and includes new original pieces by Chris and Allison. (Proper Music) Price: £14.99
Mike Westbrook is one of the most important composers in jazz with a huge body of work from small band jazz through big bands, cabaret, fusion, chamber works, opera, settings of poetry, creative re-workings of Rossini and The Beatles' Abbey Road, while always retaining his unique character.
Chris Biscoe has worked with Mike and Kate Westbrook since 1979, from Mama Chicago and The Cortege through On Duke's Birthday, London Bridge is Broken Down, Bar Utopia, Art Wolf and many other shows. Their closest and most enduring collaboration is The Trio, which has toured extensively and produced four records.
Arrangements are simple, or even created in the studio in partnership with input from the members of the quintet. The title track, 'Music Is', appears twice, in its original ballad tempo, and in a spontaneous trio recasting as a medium tempo waltz. There are also two unaccompanied sax tracks, one of them a multitrack improvisation for alto sax, alto clarinets and field recording of street sounds. (Proper Music) Price: £14.99
One of the aims when Ambulance first formed was to make it sound like a band, rather than a bunch of musicians playing one person's compositions. We felt it important that there should be the opportunity for complete spontaneity within the structure of the music - if anybody felt like changing tack halfway through a tune they should be able to.
In 2006 the five of us, minus Eddie Henderson, were the first jazz group to be offered a musical development residency at Snape Maltings, near Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast. We spent a lot of time improvising freely and most of the tracks on this CD have been written around those moments, captured on minidisc and inspired by people and places in and around Aldeburgh.
Having worked frequently with Eddie Henderson, I knew that his musical open-mindedness and generosity of spirit would dovetail with the band so I invited him to tour with us during May 2006.
The bulk of this recording (over 45 minutes) was completed during one four-hour live session, mid-tour, and I think captures the essence of the band. (Arnie Somogyi) Price: £14.99
The music ranges from the wild, unfettered blues of "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting", through a nod in the direction of free jazz "What Love" to tender Ballads "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and the title track "The Man Who Never Sleeps", a theme Mingus himself never recorded. The band has been bringing the house down at festivals and the same spirit is very much caught on this "live in the studio" recording. (ProperNote) Price: £13.99
Nearly 5 decades after the formation of the legendary British jazz-rock band Barbara Thompson's Paraphernalia; the group return in force with 'Bulletproof'. Featuring 10 original compositions from the virtuoso saxophonist, composer and bandleader Barbara Thompson MBE, and a mixed line-up of classic members and young talent; the album is packed with musical fervour and explosive improvisations.
Due to a continued struggle with Parkinson's Disease; this is the first Paraphernalia album that does not feature Barbara herself on saxophone. The remaining able members of the band - Pete Lemer on keyboards, Billy Thompson on violin, and Dave 'Taif' Ball on bass - join forces with 17 phenomenal players from NYJO, to bring an exuberant twist to the classic tracks under the expert leadership of Mark Armstrong.
Included in the line-up are up-and-coming musicians recently featured in BBC's Young Jazz Musician of the Year, such as Tom Ridout (finalist) on sax, his sister Alexandra Ridout (winner) on flugelhorn, and Tom Smith (finalist) also on sax. Barbara and Jon's daughter, Ana Gracey, sings on "In Memory", a piece adapted from Barbara's composition "Love Songs in Age" originally commissioned for the BBC Singers, and also an exciting new rendition of Colosseum's "Safe as Houses". "Bulletproof", "Safe As Houses", "Breathless" and "Little Annie-Ooh" are brand new arrangements which were debuted at a 2019 tribute concert to Jon Hiseman at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
Originally from Nottingham but based in London since the late 1970s, Geoff Gascoyne is now a world-renowned bassist (both electric and acoustic), bandleader and arranger, having played and toured internationally with Everything But The Girl, Jim Mullen, Ian Shaw, Georgie Fame, Guy Barker and contributed to a host of other projects in the worlds of jazz, pop and classical music. With countless appearances at Ronnie Scott's club and many recording sessions under his belt he is also a well-respected name within the London jazz community and is presently a mainstay of the Jamie Cullum band.
Jamie is a featured guest vocalist on this new album, as is Georgie Fame and Geoff's wife Trudy Kerr. Geoff's playing team is Martin Shaw (trumpet), Steve Kaldestad (saxes), Tom Cawley (piano), Sebastiaan de Krom (drums) and the Gavin Wright String Quartet. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
With One Tim explores many of the influences that have guided him from the beginning, such as jazz-rock (his Canterbury roots); saxophone players from both sides of the Atlantic; the Celtic guitar music from long running project Lammas; the Latin and Spanish inflections that are so deeply a part of Chick Corea’s music; and a variety of rhythmic patterns learned from drum maestros Bill Bruford and Asaf Sirkis. (Edition Records) Price: £13.99
Garland and Rebello assuredly demonstrate their shared instinctive and visceral musicianship on this 10-track duo record, which serves as an authentic output of the story so far of a strong and long-lasting friendship between two highly accomplished musicians. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
After almost two decades experience at the forefront of the British and European Jazz scene, Denys Baptiste still brims with the confidence of a youthful spirit. With a stellar band that fires on all cylinders and a new home at Edition Records, Denys' career continues to grow and blossom. This is an album by an artist in total control of his vision, a bandleader flexing his muscles and a musician in his instrumental prime. The Late Trane will fulfil his potential at an international level and bring a new audience to one of the finest instrumentalists and composers on the UK scene - something of a sleeping giant in the last 3 decades, but a giant that is about to wake! (Proper Music) Price: £13.99
As the title suggests, “Blue Reflections” features 11 blues-infused tunes: six original compositions by Roger Beaujolais sit neatly alongside fresh and inventive versions of Hank Mobley’s “Soul Station”, Stanley Turrentine’s “Sugar”, Grant Green’s “Green Jeans”, Kenny Burrell’s “Chitlins Con Carne”, and Joey Caldarazzo’s “Midnight Voyage”.
Roger Beaujolais originally gained recognition with 80s jump jive favourites The Chevalier Brothers. After a brief spell with the chart -topping Fairground Attraction, he formed Latin-jazz outfit The Beaujolais Band, and later the jazz/funk/soul group Vibraphonic - both these bands releasing a number of big-selling albums on Acid Jazz Records. Roger currently plays with Tim Richards’ Great Spirit and Tommaso Starace, and runs his own label, StayTuned Records. He also teaches jazz vibraphone at Trinity College of Music, London. (Discovery Records) Price: £13.99
Founded in 1984 the group was a great concert draw and it released 3 albums, including one produced by Teo Macero, the producer of many of Miles Davis’s classic albums. None of Loose Tubes’ albums have been available for many years so this CD of previously unreleased material will be welcomed by their many thousands of fans. (Proper Note) Price: £14.99
All tracks are original compositions by the musicians, with one exception, Ray Noble's Cherokee, arranged by Simon Allen.
Featuring Mark Armstrong, Simon Allen, Dave O'Higgins, Josephine Davies, Mark Bassey, Steve Melling, Geoff Gascoyne & Clark Tracey. Price: £11.99
Limited edition 180g vinyl. Price: £21.99
Stramash draws both from Colin’s indigenous musical heritage and his years as an improvising jazz musician and is a joyful, heartfelt album from start to finish. Much of the album was written on the island of Islay where Colin went to compose for this large ensemble without the distractions of everyday life. One of the standout tracks is The Bletherer which has since gone on to win first prize in this year’s International Songwriting Competition – no mean feat with the judges including McCoy Tyner, John Scofield, Youssou N'Dour and Tom Waits. Islay became very much part of the album, the first twelve tracks becoming known as the ‘Islay Suite’. His stay on the island inspired many of the tunes, from Shindig at the Lochside (after sampling the local whisky on his first night on the island) to Sunset over Loch Indaal (an evocation of the beauty of the landscape) and View from the Round Church, the final tune in the suite. The final three tracks on the album are arrangements of previously recorded tunes including the title track of his second album The Journey Home. (Gadgemo Records) Price: £13.99
