Music Reviews
Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters
VerveFor his latest project Herbie delves into the Joni Mitchell songbook. With a band including Wayne Shorter and vocal performances from Norah Jones ('Court And Spark'), Corinne Bailey Rae ('River'), Leonard Cohen ('The Jungle Line') and Joni herself ('Tea Leaf Prophecy') this makes for a pleasant listening experience and could well see some airplay on the likes of BBC Radio 2. The real standout here though is a version of one of my all time favourite Joni tracks, 'Edith And The Kingpin' featuring Tina Turner. I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of Ms Turner but here her vocals are more restrained than usual yet retain those wonderful earthy tones which sit perfectly on this glorious laid back jazz interpretation.
PermalinkAndy Allen, 01/08
Hi-Fly Orchestra - Mambo Atomico
Tramp RecordsFor some bands it can take years to develop cohesion, when several members become one unit. The Hi-Fly Orchestra have been together since 2005 but the chemistry that exists between them on “Mambo Atomico” suggest a much longer union. Throughout the nine track disc the six member band flawlessly performs danceable Latin jazz tunes and a couple of slow tracks as well. The opening tune, “Afro-Boo” finds the band swinging hard right out the gate. The sweet horn soloing by Johannes Herrlich on Trombone dances over the percussion work of Norbert Kupper and sounds superb. “Chove Chuva” is a wonderful bossa tune features the soothing voice of Miriam Aida, who also sings on “Polonesa”. “Mrs Shing-A-Ling” is a nice mid tempo samba tune that finds the group locked in the groove and having a good time without showing off. They're just simply creating quality music that you can dance to or just kick back and nod your head to. “Mambo Atomico” is an impressive record by a band that is firing on all cylinders. If you like Latin jazz you certainly enjoy the music of the Hi-Fly Orchestra.
Reg Dancy, 10/08
Hilary Field & Patrice O'Neill - Siente Night Songs From Around The World
Yellow Tail RecordsA collection of lullabies from around the world put together by classical guitarist Hilary and vocalist Patrice. Material sourced from Ireland, Russia, Spain, Indonesia, Italy, France and more with the common theme being to get little ones to sleep peacefully. Well, not always little ones, it worked a treat on me as well !
Graham Radley, 08/07
Hint - Driven From Distraction
Tru Thoughts RecordingsAfter releasing several entertaining ep’s for Tru Thoughts, Jonathan James, aka Hint has finally dropped his second full length disc “Driven For Distraction”. While “Portakabin Fever” was a chilled out downtempo affair, “Driven” is full of instrumental clubs tracks and soulful delights. One of those delights is the opening track “Keep On Your Shirt On” featuring the soulful voice of Laura Vane. This upbeat track is a great introduction to the diversity of Hint’s talents. “Afro Love Forest” is an intoxicating melodic uptempo jam that features underrated label mate Kinny. Aside from the stellar vocal performances, “Driven” contains an assortment of club bangin’ instrumental joints like “Mutes And Drops”, a funky piano driven jam. The disc wraps up on a high note with the hit “The Tremmuh”, a funky broken beat track that made its way onto many dj’s playlists ever since it premiered as an ep back in 2005. In a short period of time, Hint has compiled an array of compositions that should catapult his status as one of the most talented producers on the rise.
Reg Dancy, 08/08
Hipnosis - Carrousel
Perfect Toy RecordsHipnosis drop their second long player "Carrousel" on Perfect Toy Records after their much praised debut album 'Jazz'. Here they continue the traditional jazz theme to stunning affect with all nine tracks being new compositions. The lp kicks off with the self titled track featuring the wonderful vocals of Merit Ostermann that will completely blow you away. In fact I've played 'Carrousel' to a number of friends and they have bought the lp because of that one track, need I say more. If you're a fan of Ricky Tick Records, Teddy Rock Seven and Nicola Conte, make sure you have this at the top of your wants list.
Simon Harrison, 05/05
Homecut - No Freedom Without Sacrifice
First Word RecordsHomecut is a six member ensemble that is the creation of rapper/vocalist Testament delivering soulful hip-hop with live instrumentation. The results are a refreshing blend of laidback grooves with jazzy overtones that bring to mind the early days of the Brand New Heavies while Testament’s rhymes’ evoke memories of the native tongues. The first single “I don’t even know” features Corrine Bailey Rae and Soweto Kinch. Corrine sings the chorus over a laidback piano riff with Testament and Soweto dropping verses lamenting the struggles of a hard knock life. “Not too far to go” showcases a funky baseline and finds Testament singing over a soothing keys and flute collaboration. “Time difference” is a laidback jazzy tune that Testament sharing the stage with J-Live. You won’t find any sampling on this disc, just soulful bangers with thought provoking lyrics that will move your feet and stir your soul. When you add contributors like Andreya Triana and Lee Sun to the mix, you have one record that definitely deserves a place in your collection.
Reg Dancy, 09/09
Horace Silver Quintet - Further Explorations
Blue Note RecordsHere we find an interesting and unusual line up in an early manifestation of the Silver band. Clifford Jordan joins the group for this one session and works well with then band regular Art Farmer in his prime. This long overdue re-issue (formerly only available in Japan)includes a reworked version of 'Safari' that Silver recorded on his first Blue Note album taken at a rapid tempo, while 'Moon Rays' is a hypnotic mid-tempo groover that features a fine solo from Jordan. The latinisms that would become so much a part of the Silver repertoire surface on 'Pyramid'courtesy of polyrhythms from Louis Hayes. While this was not yet the fully developed Silver sound of the mid-1960s with the likes of Junior Cook and Blue Mitchell and catchy tunes that would cluminate in the hit 'Song for my father', the line up on 'Further Explorations' is almost there and one wonders what would have happened had this set of musicians stayed together.
Tim Stenhouse, 05/08
Huba - Huba
Jupiter RecordsMy first encounter with Huba came after picking up two other releases on the Jupiter label; an album by Fly and one by Teddy Rok Seven. This led me on to the Quintessence album followed by Jukka Eskola... the link? Finland! Nothing could quite prepare me for Huba's 12" release 'Mary' - heavy vinyl - heavy tune. Perfect music. The word spread and all the right faces soon had the twelve in their collection, but then what? Well for me it all went a little too quiet for my liking until... the album - delight, expectation, nervousness, enthusiasm, even celebration as the opening 'Mary' floods the memory banks with euphoria. So I sit, late on a mild November night, headphones tight and volume... yeh! Just right. Each of the twelve compositions blend beautifully from one to the next, no disruption, fantastic musicianship prominent and wonderful exciting ideas clear.... ouch 'Brave & Strong' smacks you centre face - invigorating soulful and powerful. What next? Funky licks with 'Who's Got The Nerve', a monster of a tune that gets the pulses racing, and then jazz with the vocal stamp of authority that is Huba. A great groover and a serious contender for a 12" release in the New Year me thinks. So what's the verdict? Well for those of you not familiar with Huba need this simply for 'Mary' - those of you that oh-so-big-step in front will die for 'Like Sly Says' and 'Summer Morn', but for me.. where the money is? Well it's all about 'Natural High' the most soulful tune since the year 1979... tears appear. A happy man am I. This gets full marks and then some.
Steve Williams, 11/06
Hugh Masekela - The Chisa Years: 1965-1975 (Rare and <br>Unreleased)
BBE RecordsA treat for all music fans, this collection of (mostly) previously unreleased material is an Afro-groove flavoured melting pot of Reggae, Disco, Rock and Jazz. Chisa Records was established by Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine in 1966, in the hope of providing a home for the unique brand of �African American Music� which they had been pioneering through a number of bands and musical projects at that time. Over the next 10 years, they enjoyed success with some classic Crusaders albums, and recordings from Masekela himself; but the music contained in this collection was largely never released. Featuring the likes of The Zulus and Johannesburg Street Band, it is the product of an amazing array of supremely talented musicians, with vocals coming from the incredible Miatta Fahinbulleh and Letta Mbulu. All 14 tracks are pure Afro-infused delight; but the lyrically superior �Witch Doctor� just about outshines the rest. Not to be consigned to the abyss of �World� music!
Tom Breslin, 03/06
Hundred Stong - Basement Blues
Altered VibesSome of you may remember the single 'All Ain't The Same' from 2004, which featured quality vocals from Joseph Malik. well here is the full album which features Malik on two tracks, and a whole host of guests including Alison Crockett, Def Harmonic and Jason Todd. Once the needle hit the record I was hooked, the lyrics and production are superb with some basslines from hell. When finished I was sat there wanting more. Don't miss out on one of the highlights of 2005.
Simon Harrison, 06/05