Posts Tagged Blue Note
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February 24, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Joel Ross: Who Are You?
Joel Ross Who Are You? Blue Note Joel Ross was just 23 when he released KingMaker – a hell of an album, his debut as a leader. Not much more than a year on he’s back with this second album leading the band (a killer-good band) and making a case for himself, already, as a […]Archive
August 30, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Immanuel Wilkins: Omega
Immanuel Wilkins Omega Blue Note Records I heard Immanuel Wilkins play the fuck out of the alto sax on Joel Ross’ KingMaker record – and that’s one of the best jazz albums I’ve heard in years; one of my favourite records of last year period. So I knew he could play. But I wasn’t quite […]Archive
August 15, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Bill Frisell: Valentine
Bill Frisell Valentine Blue Note Records I can’t think of another artist – at least not straight away – where across the last 25 years I have loved everything they’ve released under their own name or as a guest, where I’ve often been anticipating the next thing, waiting with baited breath. Okay, Brian Blade, maybe. […]Archive
December 15, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Puss N Boots: Dear Santa…
Puss N Boots Dear Santa… Blue Note The team of Catherine Popper, Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson reunite as Puss N Boots to deliver an EP of Christmas cheer. It works.Archive
August 18, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Joel Ross: KingMaker
Joel Ross KingMaker Blue Note American jazz vibraphonist Joel Ross is just 23 – that’s worth mentioning, worth thinking about when you hear his debut as a leader; its title might seem an arrogant boast at first, but that’s the role he and his instrument play here – setting it all up for the other players to shine. Ross […]Archive
April 16, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Norah Jones: Begin Again
Norah Jones Begin Again Blue Note Somehow Norah Jones has survived. That might seem a funny thing to say for someone that burst on to the scene with one of the biggest surprise debut hits of the modern era. And has been in favour almost ever since and always…but it took a few years for Jones to […]Archive
February 26, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
José James: Lean On Me
José James Lean On Me Blue Note (BLU) When he’s not making his own great (original) music José James is the guy you want covering you. His tribute album to Billie Holiday is a gold standard. And now he gives the Bill Withers catalogue his touch – this is more of a straight reading, a warm tribute, James’ voice close to Withers […]Archive
August 3, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band: Body and Shadow
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band Body and Shadow Blue Note I was first hipped to Brian Blade some 20+ years ago – he was playing with Joni Mitchell so, sure, I might well have liked just about any drummer doing that then, but it didn’t take long to absorb Blade’s amazing approach and unique […]Archive
September 25, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Tony Allen: A Tribute To Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (ep)
Tony Allen A Tribute To Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (ep) Blue Note Records Originally released as a 10” EP – two tracks per side – this tribute to Art Blakey by Tony Allen is full of magic; for a start it welcomes Allen to Blue Note and has him playing his version of […]Archive
February 16, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Ryan Adams: Prisoner
Ryan Adams Prisoner Blue Note The best anyone can want for (and from) Ryan Adams these days is consistency. And he finds it here – perhaps ironically – when contemplating the recent upheaval of a failed marriage. Prisoner, arriving nearly two decades later, is the flip-side, in some ways, to debut solo album Heartbreaker. You […]Archive
August 16, 2016 by Simon Sweetman