Immanuel Wilkins, The 7th Hand, Blue Note ****

There's really only one record at the moment that we have been returning to again and again and that's The 7th Hand out next week from Immanuel Wilkins whether it's the bustling 'Emanation' that introduces the album or the epic 'Lift' that goes …

Published: 22 Jan 2022. Updated: 2 years.

There's really only one record at the moment that we have been returning to again and again and that's The 7th Hand out next week from Immanuel Wilkins whether it's the bustling 'Emanation' that introduces the album or the epic 'Lift' that goes into experimental territory at the end.

In the last few years Wilkins has emerged as a natural heir stylistically to Kenny Garrett and here again with the main core of the personnel on this new biblically charged album of revival and rebirth drawn from his earlier tour de force Omega plus the flautist Elena Pinderhughes certainly making her presence felt in some very well-arranged passages as do the crisp Farafina Kan percussion ensemble in the rhythm section. The track to turn to first includes the velvety textures and voicings that Wilkins draws on beautifully in the tender 'Fugitive Ritual, Selah' inspired by the energy of places where Black people gather in celebration, praise and refuge.

Released on Friday. Touring plans include Ronnie Scott's on 14 March

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DoomCannon, 'Amalgamation,' Brownswood ****

Compositionally very strong with a driving improvisational sense of propulsion to it and an immersive band ethos, DoomCannon, known for his work with singer Celeste and with Steam Down, provides plenty of evidence to justify the buzz around this …

Published: 21 Jan 2022. Updated: 2 years.

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Compositionally very strong with a driving improvisational sense of propulsion to it and an immersive band ethos, DoomCannon, known for his work with singer Celeste and with Steam Down, provides plenty of evidence to justify the buzz around this keyboardist from south London. Joining DoomCannon among others on the track are saxist Kaidi Akinnibi, guitarist Daniel Rogerson, with Oscar Ogden on drums with strings arranged into the sound as an extra layering. Altogether 'Amalgamation' is an exhilarating ride that hints at 1970s jazz-rock in its ambition and maximalist trappings but sounds very much about the here and now even more to the point.