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: “Penny Lane” – The Beatles
“Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes…” You know you sang along with that. I certainly did. This song is part of English history and on this particular day in 1967, the Beatles did a last minute remix of it along with “Strawberry Fields Forever” the double a side single that they …
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 …
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: “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. …
The Music Of Sound – Music To Plan Towns By
Well… This is gorgeous isn’t it? I have so much to say about this piece. So please indulge me. First of all this is the composition of Dr. Neil March, composer, radio DJ, gig/festival promoter, music lover, fellow Fresh On The Net moderator (Deeeeeeep breath) arts council England funded artist…. Have I missed anything? …
Single Review: “Garden” – Night Porter
This song is gorgeous. The piano part is full of lovely chords… but it’s not this that catches you. It’s the chorus. The oohs and the duetted saxophone, is what caught my ear. This is how I’m introduced gently this sunny morning to the new duo Night Porter. Technically they aren’t new to me, at …
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: “Motherland Journey” Blue Lab Beats. Words: Del Osei-Owusu
Blue Lab Beats – Motherland Journey Sky Reflections The first track on this opens with with an instrumental, you could just imagine this as a concert entry music… The way that this starts off is uplifting, and I love it. I love the the synth chords start out, and I really need to find out …
Single Review: “Jouska” – Josephine Pascoe
This instrumental is… Full of life. In a time when the world needs to get up and celebrate what we have, this track hits the spot. Josephine plays the violin and flute on this and while you wouldn’t really associate the violin and flute occupying the melody line for jazz and funk, she does it …