Various Artists: Northern Edition: Curated by Fiona Talkington

Alexi Tuomarila | Daniel Herksedal | Daniel Herskedal | Dave Stapleton | Drifter | Eyolf Dale | Marius Neset | Oddarrang | Per Oddvar Johansen | Phronesis

This anthology of mainly Scandinavian jazz, or jazz from the north, curated by BBC Radio presenter Fiona Talkington, all taken...

Reviewed by Stuart Nicholson in issue: June/2016

Sérgio Mendes: Dance Moderno

Mainly drawn from his debut album of the same title, this portrait of the Brazilian pianist’s early work from 1960-62...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: Dec/Jan/2017/2018

JD Allen: Americana: Musings on Jazz and the Blues

Gregg August | JD Allen | Rudy Royston

Of all the contemporary tenor players, arguably none has a greater affinity with the blues than JD. That innate feeling...

Reviewed by Tony Hall in issue: Dec/Jan/2016/2017

Frankie Newton: The Frankie Newton Collection 1929-46

Sometimes more celebrated for his left-wing politics than his fine playing, this 3CD shows why Newton was so highly regarded...

Reviewed by Alyn Shipton in issue: September/2019

Andy Haas: Taballah

Andy Haas

New York-based saxophonist, Haas, has had an unconventional artistic trajectory, playing with Canadian new wave group Martha and the Muffins,...

Reviewed by Daniel Spicer in issue: September/2014

Defunkt: Live At Channel Zero

Bill Bickford | Joe Bowie | John Mulkerin | Kenny Martin | Ronny Drayton

Any recording by the legendary New York ensemble is a cause for celebration but this one, nine years old, even...

Reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre in issue: September/2016

Alphonso Johnson: Moonshadows/Yesterday’s Dreams/Spellbound

Airto Moreira | Alejandro Acuna | Alphonso Johnson | Bernie Maupin | Blackbird Mcknight | Chester Thompson | Chris Bond | Chuck Findley | Clive Criner | David Amaro

Johnson probably never got the credit he deserves for his Weather Report days, sandwiched between Vitous and some guy called...

Reviewed by Andy Robson in issue: March/2016

Les McCann: Les McCann Sings/Pretty Lady

Charles Kynard | Herbie Lewis | Joe Pass | Les McCann | Paul Chambers | Paul Humphrey | Ron Jefferson | Stanley Gilbert | Victor Gaskin | Willie Correa

Recorded in Los Angeles in 1961, Les McCann Sings features McCann with his trio of Herbie Lewis (bass) and Ron...

Reviewed by Peter Quinn in issue: September/2013

Jonathan Gee Trio: Dragonfly

Jonathan Gee | Joseph Lepore | Nasheet Waits

Working in New York can bring out hidden depths in visiting musicians. London pianist Jonathan Gee rightly feels proud of...

Reviewed by Jack Massarik in issue: February/2012

Anita O'Day: Selected Clef, Norgran & Verve Recordings 1952-56

Anita O'Day | Barney Kessel | Monty Budwig | Roy Eldridge | Shelly Manne | Stan Getz

One of the greatest jazz vocalists of the post-war era, this exceptional 46-track, 2CD set brings together five albums –...

Reviewed by Peter Quinn in issue: February/2020