marlbank

Alex Hitchcock, Ant Law, Jasper Høiby, Sun-Mi Hong, House of Light, ZenneZ **** recommended

Formidable, probing, interrogative instrumentalism from a band of leaders. Post-bopper Alex Hitchcock is the sax genius of Chris Potter calibre quietly nestling in our midst.

Track of the Day: If Ever I Would Leave You – Jo Harrop

A knockout version of a Lerner and Loewe classic is the first newly released Jo Harrop recording in a while and marks a return to the song that the acclaimed north-east of England singer has already successfully recorded.

Live review: Nathan Carter, London Palladium ****

An entertaining evening as once in a generation country singer Nathan Carter has the London Palladium audience eating out of the palms of his hands.

Talkline, Vortex***

Unusually fronted by a singer who plays vibes accompanied by double bass and piano, Talkline on this performance played originals and treatments of songs by Labi Siffre, Radiohead and John Martyn.