Anat Cohen Tentet

Triple Helix

Anzic Records

Anat Cohen (cl), Nadja Noordhuis, (t, flhn), Nick Finzer (tb), Owen Broder (bs), Christopher Hoffman (v), James Shipp (vib, perc), Vitor Gonçalves (p, acc), Sheryl Bailey (g), Tal Masiach (b), Anthony Pinciotti (d) and Odded Lev-Ari (arr). Rec. January 2019

'Cohen’s strength is a lyrical beauty of tone and phrasing that shines on Piazzolla’s ‘Milonga Del Angel’ or her own ballad ‘Miri’. Yet she has the firepower and range to astonish with her sheer control of the instrument, and the fearlessness with which she bends it to her will, particularly in the title piece. A thoroughly rewarding album, whose numerous moments of gentleness are counterbalanced by some fearsome atonality and frenetic energy.'

Read the full review in the September issue

Michael Janisch

Worlds Collide

Whirlwind Recordings

Michael Janisch (b, el b), George Crowley (ts), John O’Gallagher (as), Jason Palmer (t), Rez Abassi (g), John Escreet (p, ky), Andrew Bain and Clarence Penn (d). Rec. 2018

'Janisch has long been a gifted player whose command of electric and acoustic bass has seen him work in a wide variety of settings, but this new songbook draws a coherent line through groove, swing and avant-garde sensibilities without sounding stilted. All the virtuosity of a formidable transatlantic horn and rhythm section comprising Jason Palmer, Rez Abassi, John O’Gallagher, George Crowley and John Escreet, among others, is well channelled into music that, often in odd meters, maintains a distinct quality of dance.'

Read the full review in the September issue

Nérija

Blume

Domino

Nubya Garcia (ts, f), Sheila Maurice-Grey (t), Cassie Kinoshi (as), Rosie Turton (tb), Shirley Tetteh (g), Rio Kai (b) and Lizy Exell (d). Rec. January 2018

'This long-awaited debut album from one of the most exciting young groups on the UK scene sounds like classic Blue Note with a contemporary London twist. On ‘Riverfest’, ‘Partner Girlfriend Lover’ and ‘Unbound’ strong melodies, richly-scored for the horns, and clever orchestral touches meet bustling grooves stitched with the distinctive lines and creative chordwork of guitarist Shirley Tetteh.'

Read the full review in the September issue

Stan Getz

Getz At The Gate

Verve 

Stan Getz (ts), Steve Kuhn (p), John Neves (b) and Roy Haynes (d). Rec. 26 November 1961

'The discovery of an unissued live set, recorded 58 years ago by Verve at a venue it was using sporadically, and hence had the measure of acoustically, would in itself be an event. Add to that that this is a rare snapshot of Stan Getz on dazzling form after his return from a long sojourn in Scandinavia and a matter of months before he moved into bossa nova territory, with a coruscating state-of-the-art rhythm section, and it becomes an essential addition to the Getz canon.'

Read the full review in the September issue

Bennie Maupin

The Jewel In The Lotus

ECM 

Bennie Maupin (reeds, v, glock), Charles Sullivan (t), Herbie Hancock (p, el p), Buster Williams (b), Freddie Waits, Billy Hart (d) and Bill Summers (perc). Rec. March 1974

'Using the Mwandishi rhythm section of Hancock, Williams and Hart, augmented by an additional drummer (Waits) and percussionist Summers, with Charles Sullivan in Eddie Henderson’s stead on ‘Mappo’ and ‘Excursion’, Maupin, like Henderson before him, continued to build on the Mwandishi legacy, which even in its own lifetime was acknowledged as being ahead of its time.'

Read the full review in the September issue