Single Review: “Bread” – Anya Nami

This is the Eurovision song that we never knew we needed.  This is a song literally about bread.  I am not kidding. Guess what? I love it. This starts off with a thumping kick, dropping into a pop dance beat, and there’s an accordion, I’m assuming this is a nod to the European roots of …

Single Review: “Japanese Knotweed” – Karolina Wilgus

This new single from Karolina Wilgus is genius. From the way the vocals are arranged over a hypnotising hip hop jazz beat this brings a lot of different things to keep you interested. For one thing, the vocals in the intro have an operatic quality, nicely layered so you can separate the alto, tenor and …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Charlotte Keeffe

Charlotte Keeffe is one of the most intriguing and interesting improvisers on the music scene. A hugely respected musician, she has an extraordinary ability to take a lungful of air, blow it through a tiny hole in a mouthpiece and create extraordinary music. This year, alongside a kaleidoscope of colourful and talented fellow musicians, Charlotte …

Mr. Bennett's Mind - Photo by Alexa Drew.jpg

Album Review: “Mr. Bennett’s Mind” – Daniel Bennett Group. Words: Sammy Stein

‘Mr Bennett’s Mind’ (Manhattan Daylight Media, 2024) is the 10th studio release from the Daniel Bennett Group. Having reviewed several of their releases, this is a musical progression in the fullest of senses. The album was recorded at the iconic Big Orange Sheep Studio in Brooklyn, New York, and produced by Grammy-nominated producer MP Kuo. …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Roberta Donnay

Roberta Donnay is a vocalist known for her renditions of vintage songs. Critical Jazz Blog has described her as ‘taking old school jazz and making it new cool,’ and Jazz Times as ‘having a singularly enticing sound.’ Donnay is the leader of The Prohibition Mob, with a mission to explore, celebrate, and promote America’s jazz …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Andrea Wolper

Andrea Wolper is a jazz vocalist, improviser, songwriter, arranger, teacher, and composer from New York who has been on a journey In music her whole life, agreed to talk to Platinum Mind’s Sammy Stein about her life in music ahead of her upcoming album ‘Wanderlust’ released Bandcamp on April 12th and set to hit other …

Blog interview: Amir Ekbatani

Hello Amir how are you? Feeling good and grateful, thanks! Congratulations on the release of “Tell Me You Love Me” how does it feel?It’s nice to send this out into the world. I’ve spent a lot of time with it and I’m happy to see where it goes. So far people have seemed to really …

In The Spotlight – Sammy Stein Talks To Germana Stella La Sorsa

Italian singer Germana Stella La Sorsa has been a fixture of the London jazz scene since 2017. She released her debut album ‘Vapour’ in 2021 on 33 Jazz Records and her second album ‘Primary Colours’ is out now on the same label. singing both privately and at Morley College (London Platinum Mind decided the spotlight …

Single Review: “All Black Everything” – Amy Gadiaga

Amy Gadiaga brought beauty and grace to this track… it starts off with a piano part that’s like a call to action for a jam session, and boy does the whole thing bring its a game from Amy’s bass line and the drums staying in pocket… Her vocals here are the star, with layered harmonies …