Flat Earth Society. Photo: Raymond de Vries
On entering the intimacy of one of London’s premier jazz venues, Vortex, it was clear to me that this was going to be a cosy gig. The place was packed out and the 15 members of Belgium’s Flat Earth Society squeezed onto the stage, filling a quarter of the room. Continue reading Flat Earth Society – Vortex, London (Live)
Artists confirmed so far… Alaev Family (Tajikstan/Israel); Ane Brun (Norway); Boubacar Traore (Mali);Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba); Dizraeli and the Small Gods (UK); Grupo Fantasma (USA); Lo’Jo(France/Algeria); Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate (USA/Guinea); Narasirato (Solomon Islands); Peatbog Faeries (UK); Raghu Dixit (India); Sensational Space Shifters (UK/USA/Gambia); Spiro (UK); Terem Quartet (Russia); Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (Japan). Continue reading WOMAD 2012 – Line up announced: Buena Vista Social Club, Robert Plant and Boubacar Traore
In the hot glove of a sticky East African night, the last act of the annual Sauti za Busara festival takes place. ‘Local’ outfit FM Academia – with over twenty members in the band – are rocking the open-air venue (an old walled fort in the centre of Zanzibar Town) with their unique ‘muziki da dansa’ rumba style, when, suddenly, on stage come literally dozens of the festival’s crew. The now over-crowded hugely enthusiastic stage dances out the last number of the 2012 event. Mark Stewart reports… Continue reading Busara Festival to leave its Zanzibar home?
Robert Glasper’s new jazz infused soul album, ‘Black Radio’, a slight detour from his jazz output (albeit with a strong hip hop influence), is mostly very good. Aside from some well-worn samples of his own work, this is a welcome return for the master musician. Continue reading Black Radio – Robert Glasper
Perhaps the surprise of the year this one as George Benson release an album that isn’t a ‘Best Of’ his own hits as he covers some pop and jazz classics and it’s worth more than a casual listen!
To see him live you are in awe. Not just for memories of the first time, a tour de force of modern jazz at Pizza Express. Or the second time, a mesmeric meeting between Glasper and drummer Chris Dave at the Jazz Café. Or even the last time, a melange of nu classical soul and jazz, at Ronnie Scotts. No, Glasper in the flesh is more than the sum of his collective live performances. His tall, broad frame radiates charisma, his easy going charm relays confidence and his Southern (American) roots. Glasper inspires awe in his audience. Continue reading Robert Glasper, XOYO
If their was ever a time for a 17-member “disco orchestra”, the bleak winter of 2011 was it so the timing of Escort’s debut album couldn’t be better – old and new all mixed together to accompany you to the dancefloor – it’s time to party! Continue reading Escort – Escort
With remixes of ‘She Fish’ and ‘Right On Up (For Love)’, the Main Stem are big at Lip Service so it’s no surprise that after the Contortion Danse 12″ of a couple of months ago we get an album that finds thier Electric Church is having a post disco nu-house soft rock revival! Continue reading The Main Stem – Electric Church
For those of you in the Bay Area, you’ll know that the will know all about the Yerba Buena Discos team, if only from their huge 20th release by Homero Espinosa featuring Allegra Bandy – and now they are back with some equally fine soulful deep house to enjoy! Continue reading Homero Espinosa ft. Allegra Bandy – Then You Smiled
Following their highly acclaimed national tour and appearances at Glastonbury and on Later with Jools Holland, Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra return to play a London date at the Barbican. Continue reading Jerry Dammers’ Spatial A.K.A Orchestra – Barbican, 18 November 2011
Raashan’s albums The Push and the groundbreaking For What You’ve Lost garnered worldwide attention and earned him the devoted admiration of fans as he has toured feverishly throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and Brazil. He plays two sets at Momo’s on 25 and 26 October 2011. Continue reading Raashan Ahmad at Momo’s London
In keeping with its own traditions and reflecting the ethos of the Festival, Ronnie Scott’s presents a ten day diary of special collaborations, emerging talent and established stars from across the generations and continents, as well as the ubiquitous festival after-hours hang. Continue reading London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s
