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. …

Album Review: “Music In The Air” – Mark Christian Miller. Words: Sammy Stein

Music in the Air Being jazz correspondent for Platinum Mind can lead to discoveries and ‘Music In The Air’ from US musician Mark Christian Miller, featuring renowned West Coast musicians Jamieson Trotter on piano and arrangements, Mike Gurrola on bass, Kevin Winard on drums, Larry Koonse on guitar and Danny Janklow on alto sax, is …

Single Review: “Shadow” – Marie Keane

Marie Keane – “Shadow”  WHOAH. The funk is strong with this one.  This is Marie Keane’s lead single from her upcoming album “MNÁ”.  And you know what?  It’s INCENDIO. That’s fire in Portuguese. Why? Well, the Latin percussion with claps that ring takes you from Marie’s native Ireland to the streets of Brazil with the …

Single Review: “Know Me” – Days Of Rome

The thing I like about this song is its quirkiness, the intro makes you think it’s a soulful slow jam, but when the beat drops, it’s anything but. What do I mean?  Well at around 0:10 a trumpet comes in, and then we get treated to a scratch, straight into the drums, bass, and guitar …

Album Review: “Battle Lines” – Cable Street Collective

It’s been a strange kind of day.  I have watched the first two episodes of the new Obi Wan tv series, Stranger Things season 4 just dropped…  And Cable Street Collective sent me their album to review.  I’m blessed right now and it’s not even 9am yet.  So what did they send me?  Well, it’s …