US saxophone player Mike Casey’s star has been in rapid ascendance. I have watched him develop as a musician since he and his trio released their first album just over four years ago. An innovative and explorative saxophonist, Casey is always thinking about new ways for people to engage with music and musicians. He has …
Review: “Groovy Avocado Disco” – Unfortunately Steven. Words: Sammy Stein
Unfortunately Steven Groovy Avocado Disco From depths of despair and almost complete mental breakdown, Steven Ramirez (Unfortunately Steven) gives inspiration in his music and story. Quirky and distinctive, Ramirez’s music is inspiring, but equally inspiring is his head-on challenge to mental illness. Read about his bravery, share his inspiration and then hear the challenge and …
Album Review: “The Great Jamaican Songbook, Vol.1” – Cleveland Watkiss. Words: Sammy Stein
Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss’s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others. His new album ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ is released, coinciding with a …
Album Review: “Maximise” – Perry. Words: Sammy Stein
Perry is the alias of instrumental smooth jazz/experimentalist Max Clemmons Jr. As Max Clemmons, he played piano on a disco recording called ‘Billy Who’ with the late drummer and studio musician Yogi Horton. He released ‘Dancing For Your Love’ on Spider Records, a number written for his cousin, Joe. Perry’s latest album is independently released. …
The Extraordinary Journey Of Jason Miles: A Musical Biography. Interview with Sammy Stein.
The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles A Musical Biography Jason Miles has been behind some iconic recordings. He is in the process of releasing his book, and it promises to be as iconic as some of the musicians he has worked with. I was privileged to see a copy a few weeks back and I …
Music, Jazz And The Female View. Words: Sammy Stein
Music, jazz, and the female view We seem to have been trying to address the shortage of female musicians for decades, and nowhere is this more apparent than in jazz. Progress is incremental. So perhaps we need to look a little deeper and consider some of the reasons behind this. The once-accepted explanations – “jazz …
Album Review: “Adjusting” – Arnaud Dolmen. Words: Sammy Stein
ARNAUD DOLMEN – ADJUSTING RELEASE DATE: JANUARY, 28TH 2022 Arnaud Dolmen is an acclaimed jazz artist, drummer, and composer. Originally from Guadeloupe, now based in Paris, he studied drum ka from the age of five, then drums at Atelier Marcel Lollia, under Georges Troupé. As a teenager, he was part of the Kimbòl Youth Orchestra …
Album Review: “Law Of Attraction: The Remixes” Mike Casey. Words: Sammy Stein.
Mike Casey Law of Attraction: The Remixes Piano: Benito Gonzalez Bass: Matt Dwonszyk Drums: Corey Garcia Mike Casey has been receiving attention for many years now. I interviewed him in 2016 as an emerging star, and since then, he has, well, emerged. His innovative, powerful experimentation sits easily alongside his interpretation of more traditional delivery. …