Album Review: “A Pagan Landscape” – Richard Davies. Words: Sammy Stein

Richard Davies has already shown his musical ability on his album ‘Travel Without Movement’; on this lengthier recording, he makes good on the promise of more musical exploration.  Of this album, Davies told me, “This is essentially an album about ghosts. It’s about the haunting landscape around Trewallard in Cornwall, where a thriving mining community …

Review: The Comet Is Coming “Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam. Words: Sammy Stein

The Comet Is Coming, Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam ( Impulse 23 Sept 2022) The Comet is Coming comprises Danalogue on Rolands, Betamax on drums and percussion, and Shabaka Hutchins ( King Shabaka) on tenor saxophone. Since their entry into what was sometimes a disingenuous jazz scene, The Comet Is Coming has brought a reality, a street-centered, squarely-planted …

Blog interview: Courtney Pine. Words: Sammy Stein.

Courtney Pine has been part of the global music scene for decades. His constantly evolving approach to music, and jazz music, in particular, has made him an endearing and engaging musician. I have seen him perform with artists in different settings, from school halls to large fabled concert venues. Every time, Pine brings to the …

Single Review: “The Comet Is Coming” – CODE. Words: Sammy Stein

The power trio The Comet is Coming, comprised of Dan Leavers ( Danalogue), Shabaka Hutchings (Shabaka), and Max Hallett (Betamax), have released ‘Code’, the first single from their forthcoming album ‘Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam’ which will be released late September on Impulse. ‘Code’ is hailed by their label as an ‘intergalactic head-banger that explores hidden meaning …

Single review: “Prima Marteria” – Connie Han. Words: Sammy Stein.

Pianist/composer and Steinway artist Connie Han has released her single ‘Prima Marteria,’ which preludes the album ‘Secrets of Inanna’ due out in September. Connie Han has created more than a stir in the jazz world, bringing fresh, challenging ideas to the music. The single’s title references the primeval elements from which the universe was formed. …