A wonderful setting for the talents of UK saxophonist Sean Khan – a set that features some great tracks from the John Coltrane songbook, plus original material too – all served up in that cosmic version of future jazz that we've loved from some of Sean's previous albums! Yet there's also a richness here that goes beyond those – a sense of larger arrangements that really brings a sort of majesty to the record – a vibe that has Khan continuing the legacy of London contemporaries like Nathan Haines and Chris Bowden on some of their best recordings! The album also features work from older greats Peter King on alto sax and Jim Mullins on guitar, and the Cinematic Orchestra's Heidi Vogel adds lyrics to a few tunes too. Titles include "Cousin Mary", "Equinox", "Impressions", "Giant Steps", "Moment's Notice", "Savage Detectives", "Love Supreme", "Starchild", "Afro Blue", "Emilia's Pick", "Azawala", and "Naima". ~ Dusty Groove
A sweet set of cosmic funk in the best Star Creature mode – lots of crispy beats mixed with the sorts of 80s elements you might guess from the fonts used on the cover – all served up in a nice way that's not nearly as slavishly retro as other projects of this nature! But then again, that's what we've come to expect from Ourra – a cat who's got a way of doing more with less, and finding his own bright star out there in the cosmos! The whole thing's instrumental, and filled with lots of beats and keyboards – on titles that include "Night Glider", "Breaker's Boogie", "Rekab's Azy", "Ghost Reflex", "Game Over", "Sea Green Eyes", "The Climb", and "Red Wave". ~ Dusty Groove
A really different sort of record from Badbadnotgood – and we mean that in the best way possible, as the group are really maturing and opening up their sound! The core blend of funk and jazz elements is still at play on the record – but there's also a more expansive vibe too, one that uses larger arrangements to really color in the sound and create all this sense of sonic wonder – a vibe that really comes through on one track that features guest work from cosmic musician Laraaji, and five more that feature the legendary Brazilian artist Arthur Verocai! In a way, the spacious quality of Verocai's own music might be a good way to describe the approach here – although the group certainly leave their own mark on the sound too. Titles include "City Of Mirrors", "Unfolding", "Love Proceeding", "Timid Intimidating", "Beside April", and "Talk Meaning" – the last of which features guest work from Terrace Martin and Brandee Younger too. ~ Dusty Groove
A really lovely album from flute player Mariana Zwarg – working here with the legendary Hermeto Pascoal, who also happens to be her grandfather, but in a style that's very much her own! While it might be tempting to say that there's some of the Pascoal tradition of complexity here, Mariana's music is more straightforward and tied to jazz – but always with that freewheeling vibe that's grace Brazilian variants of the music from the 60s onwards – which means that even when things are sophisticated, they're very organic – and vocals often come into play with the group as much as an instrument – effortlessly blending with the melody and rhythm. The whole set is really beautiful – like one of those rare treasures on a label like Som Da Gente or Pointer – and titles include "Lucas E Lena", "Acalanto", "Viva Hermeto", "Ventania", and "Na Carioca". ~ Dusty Groove
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