marlbank

Jasper Somsen, Carsten Lindholm, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Human Vibe, Challenge ****

Delicious Eurojazz from this sensitive trio. While Dutch bass master Jasper Somsen's album featuring Dutch guitarist Anton Goudsmit released last year also appeals Human Vibe is even better especially for the inclusion of a brace of Vince Mendoza tunes.

Joshua Burnside, It’s Not Going to Be Okay, Nettwerk ****

Quite the homespun folk masterpiece from the widely regarded Northern Irish folk musician on his most heartfelt and humane album yet.

Noa Levy and Paul Edis Trio, Portrait in Evans, Dot Time Records **** recommended

Unveiling their swinging new "modern jazz" album together inspired by the hugely influential Miles Davis Kind of Blue pianist Bill Evans, Noa Levy and Paul Edis go on an English road trip this spring.

A few Saturday thoughts on the way I have changed as a listener, on formats, authority bias and publicist induced Pavlovian reactions.

A critique of critiques

A few thoughts on the way I have changed as a listener and reviewer since Covid: on such coma inducing matters as formats; relying much less on traditional record label branding as a guardrail; the ever thorny subject of so-called authority bias; publicist induced Pavlovian reactions; and being far less "tinny" eared - ideally.

Blair/Huber, In a New Order, Leiter *****

Not even a case following frequent replay of once smitten twice shy.

Sarah Jane Morris, The Sisterhood 2, Fallen Angel ***1/2

Eminently listenable. The most jazz relevant track is the convincing Amy Winehouse tribute 'The Edge Is Where The Magic Is Found' - as the lyrics have it: "the urchin with the razzmatazz."

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival is to host a Dutch jazz strand this summer

A chance to sample a range of top new Dutch jazz talent is an attractive opportunity this summer in Edinburgh.

Tina Carr: Moon Over Mildmay ***1/2

A delightful sense of saudade, classic movie noir and more from singer Tina Carr whose lyrics also fit in seamlessly.

Introducing Kind of Now new soon from Gregory Hutchinson

A Miles Davis centennial spring is in store. 'Orbits' from a must hear new tribute album streaming proves a fillip for the senses introducing Kind of Now. It's the work of Gregory Hutchinson and a stellar collection of mainly US jazzers.

Michael Buckley Quartet and Hayley Kavanagh to play the 2026 Kildare Jazz Festival

The Newbridge festival in March books one of Ireland's biggest jazz stars for its annual Kildare jazz gathering. Highlights include an appearance by said icon of the scene Michael Buckley and his Quartet, Origin Story and the quintet of Venezuelan guitarist Orlando Molina. Buckley delivered one of his best albums in years recently, the formidable Ebb and Flow.

Hetta Falzon, Henrietta, Last Recordings on Earth ****

The extended version of 'Sobering' with its rococo introduction and exquisite melody is one of many highlights on an EP that counts as an album and is far more than a demo.

Mark Turner, Patternmaster, ECM ****

Bass rich quartet studio sounds from tender modernist the poet of the saxophone, Mark Turner. The American tangles up in blue meaningfully with trumpeter Jason Palmer in the top lines.