Album Review: “Most Definitely” – Devin Gray. Words: Sammy Stein.

At Platinum Mind we reviewed Devin Gray’s single, ’Pull to Refresh’ when the album was a future vision. Now that vision is here and out on Rataplan Records on 9th June. Firstly, let’s talk about value – twenty-three tracks, twenty-one of them short but all gloriously different. Secondly, let’s talk drums – Devin has amazing …

Album Review: “It’s All We Have” – Diana Torti and Sabino de Bari. Words: Sammy Stein.

Diana Torti is a singer, improviser, and composer based in London. She has performed in jazz clubs, theatres, and international festivals. Her CD “On A Cloud” (2019, SLAM Productions) was nominated among the best jazz vocal releases of 2019 by The New York City Jazz Record. Torti is also a lecturer and researcher and has …

Review: “Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” – John Williams

You can always recognise a John Williams soundtrack. There’s always an Easter egg from another. Or just the sheer ferocity. Or the romantic tenderness. It’s hard to pin down a favourite piece by him, but this one stands out.  Subtitled Darth Vader’s theme, this is written for the main villain in the original trilogy,  what …

Single Review: “Going To Watch The Sunrise” – I’M

This is a fantastic piece of electronica from South East London based musician and producer I’M. Lots of of warped basslines mixed in with a beat that you can’t help but move your feet to.  The pitched down vocal sample of “Watch The Sunrise” is simple, but very effective, one of the things that I …

Album Review: “Letters To George” – John Hollenbeck. Words: Sammy Stein

https://johnhollenbeck.bandcamp.com/album/letters-to-george   John Hollenbeck is a genre-fluid composer/percussionist, renowned in both the jazz and new-music worlds. He gained widespread recognition as the driving force behind the unclassifiable Claudia Quintet, and the ambitious John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, groups with roots in jazz, world music, and contemporary composition. He has earned six GRAMMY nominations and has worked …

Single Review: “Pull To Refresh” – Devin Gray. Words: Sammy Stein

Devin Gray is a drummer, composer, and bandleader currently working and living in Brooklyn, New York City. Gray is involved in many musical projects and has worked with innovative musicians including David Liebman, Tony Malaby, Gary Thomas, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Burrell, Dave Ballou, Michael Formanek, Nate Wooley, Stephan Crump, George Garzone, Chris Speed, Drew Gress, …

Album Review: “Cabin 19 Fever” – Wild Card. Words: Sammy Stein.

Wild Card is a London-based jazz combo led by French guitarist Clement Regert with British drummer Sophie Alloway and Australian organist/keyboardist Andrew Noble. Formed in 2011 and with five album releases to their name, the trio is popular on the UK jazz scene and performs regularly, with residencies at prestigious venues including The 606 Club and Ronnie …

Album Review: “You Matter” – Julie Campiche Quartet. Words: Sammy Stein

Harpist Julie Campiche is a truly innovative artist. A pioneer of the jazz harp, she has created her style through the exploration of improvisation, classical and electronic musicand her sound plumbs the depths of classical and jazz techniques. Campiche has performed in clubs and at festivals across Europe. She is curious and always seeking new …