Matthew Halsall, 'Changing Earth,' Gondwana ****

We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. – Satchidananda Saraswati, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Track of the day new in 1 luv: Matthew Halsall knows more about spiritual-jazz than most …

Published: 9 Nov 2022. Updated: 17 months.

We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds.

– Satchidananda Saraswati, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Track of the day new in 1 luv: Matthew Halsall knows more about spiritual-jazz than most given that he is at the helm of the UK's leading label immersed in the style - Gondwana - and in his own playing his trumpet style particularly here taps that sound whether spiralling out in ever increasing circles from the In a Silent Way and droney classical Indo end of the spectrum to the floatier Alice Coltrane domain.

Matthew Halsall - Changing Earth 2

That's where Maddie Herbert comes into her own in a blend with flautist Matt Cliffe. The groove is unforced and yet probing in its serene insistence. Drawn from a new EP out next month. Matthew Halsall, photo: via Funky Fly

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Dave O'Higgins and Rob Luft, Pluto, Ubuntu ***

Not nearly as enjoyable as 2019's Plays Monk and Trane because you can't replace people partly why. It's the estimable Ross Stanley on piano instead more's the pity of Scott Flanigan on organ. Pedigree bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado also a new recruit …

Published: 8 Nov 2022. Updated: 17 months.

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Not nearly as enjoyable as 2019's Plays Monk and Trane because you can't replace people partly why. It's the estimable Ross Stanley on piano instead more's the pity of Scott Flanigan on organ. Pedigree bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado also a new recruit joins UK sax giant O'Hig, guitar genius Luft and the great Rod Youngs. Originals while convincing outnumber the Monk and Trane originals. But O'Hig continues a considerable purple patch of playing in recent years whether with Darius Brubeck or under his own steam. And for sheer instrumentalism in a straightahead however conventional manner he and Luft grasp the essence of the sound more than well and can do anything they desire. While the magic of the first album isn't here - like people you simply can't replace a moment in time no matter how hard you try. But on its own merits there is still a lot to like. And if you haven't heard the first album yet ignore all of the above because additional knowledge can get in the way - O'Hig and Luft are competing against themselves. At the Pizza on 15.11