marlbank

Aadal, Aggressive Hymns, Energetic Ballads, Losen ***1/2

A more than decent heart on sleeve affair with strong tunes by guitarist Michael Aadal and an agreeable Bill Frisell-like sound world. It's playing that isn't afraid to be melodic or give the tunes space when they need it.

Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, London Vocal Project, Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler), Edition *****

Modest reflection, tender, lost moments and even love in myriad forms, Vital Spark is apt and perfect. The recording includes, according to Edition, final Wheeler compositions that were sent over time to the London Vocal Project's director Pete Churchill.

Omar Ríos Meléndez and Alex Wilson, The Art of Deep Connection, Alex Wilson Music ****

Appealing Nicaraguan flavoured piano and guitar duets.

When I Return, The Weight of Bloom, Jazzland ***1/2

Nordic lightning in a bottle: The 7 secrete a vibrant, reedy ready to blossom collective sound that involves members of the Lightning Trio and Schemes.

On the rise – Hetta Falzon

Write it in nadsat if you prefer. But Alex and his droogs won’t get the music of Henrietta - mercifully. Fact rather than dystopian fiction. There’s an International Anthony Burgess Foundation Hetta Falzon show in Manchester in March marking the full release.

Inspired by Béla Bartók The W are to release Mikrokosmos

Following the example of Chick Corea, Bruno Heinen's The W are to release Mikrokosmos this spring zoning in on Book 6. What a pick-me-up.

Viktoria Tolstoy, Jacob Karlzon, Who We Are, ACT ***

A bit too bland for my taste - a vocals-piano album at its core that includes originals and treatments of well worn Billy Joel, Tori Amos and Radiohead songs.

Niklas Lukassen, Still Waters, Heartcore **** recommended

Extremely impressive debut from imaginative bassist and singer Niklas Lukassen whom you can hear play live later this week at London club the Vortex.

Melissa Aldana, Filin, Blue Note ****

Will it do for Filin what the Buena Vista Social Club did for son?

Tigran Hamasyan, Manifeste, Naïve Records ****

Mind blowing virtuosity, Armenian spiritualism, prog intensity. It can only be Tigran.

scenic view through rustic stone doorway in ireland

Comment: It’s pushing at an open door to discover Irish jazz. But why doesn’t the media care? The upshot is the wider public remains in the dark

There’s plenty of talent but precious little coverage.

David Friedman and Tony Miceli, Glow: a Tribute to Dave Samuels, SteepleChase ***1/2

Two massively skilled vibists pay tribute to another master of fond regard, in the process shining a welcome light on neglected gems from Double Image.

Aadal, Aggressive Hymns, Energetic Ballads, Losen ***1/2
Reviews
A more than decent heart on sleeve affair with strong tunes by guitarist Michael Aadal and an agreeable Bill Frisell-like sound world. It's playing that isn't afraid to be melodic or give the tunes space when they need it.
Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, London Vocal Project, Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler), Edition *****
Reviews
Modest reflection, tender, lost moments and even love in myriad forms, Vital Spark is apt and perfect. The recording includes, according to Edition, final Wheeler compositions that were sent over time to the London Vocal Project's director Pete Churchill.
Omar Ríos Meléndez and Alex Wilson, The Art of Deep Connection, Alex Wilson Music ****
Reviews
Appealing Nicaraguan flavoured piano and guitar duets.
When I Return, The Weight of Bloom, Jazzland ***1/2
Reviews
Nordic lightning in a bottle: The 7 secrete a vibrant, reedy ready to blossom collective sound that involves members of the Lightning Trio and Schemes.
On the rise – Hetta Falzon
Top new artists
Write it in nadsat if you prefer. But Alex and his droogs won’t get the music of Henrietta - mercifully. Fact rather than dystopian fiction. There’s an International Anthony Burgess Foundation Hetta Falzon show in Manchester in March marking the full release.
Inspired by Béla Bartók The W are to release Mikrokosmos
News
Following the example of Chick Corea, Bruno Heinen's The W are to release Mikrokosmos this spring zoning in on Book 6. What a pick-me-up.
Viktoria Tolstoy, Jacob Karlzon, Who We Are, ACT ***
Reviews
A bit too bland for my taste - a vocals-piano album at its core that includes originals and treatments of well worn Billy Joel, Tori Amos and Radiohead songs.
Niklas Lukassen, Still Waters, Heartcore **** recommended
Album of the Week
Extremely impressive debut from imaginative bassist and singer Niklas Lukassen whom you can hear play live later this week at London club the Vortex.
Melissa Aldana, Filin, Blue Note ****
Reviews
Will it do for Filin what the Buena Vista Social Club did for son?