Blues and Soul Music Magazine

Denquar : Praying On Science

This is a bold debut.It's a totally live performance one singer and an orchestra and the red light is on.Newcomer,Denquar summons up her courage and goes for it on this empowering power ballad.

I'll say one thing it's quite refreshing to hear some classic sounding,straight ahead jazz especially on a wet and dreary day in february.The Jazz Defenders are proving to be the perfect antidote to the winter blues.

Jeff Parker : Suite For Max Brown

A startling return to form sees multi instrumentalist and composer Jeff Parker hitting his stride once again.A fitting eulogy to his late mother and a great follow up to his critically acclaimed predecessor The New Breed.

David Dower : There Are No Stars

Title track 'There Are No Stars' a laid back jazzy,neo soul piece of fusion hits the mark too.Fowler's fretless bass solo is a subtle slice of sheer delectation and guest Zhivko Vasilev on the Bulgarian Kaval

Cherise : Paradise

Tomorrow's Warriors have spread their net far and wide being a launch pad and breeding ground for the likes of Ezra Collective,Camilla George,Nubya Garcia,Moses Boyd and also this incredibly talented young singer

Give Me The Night : Juan Laya & Jorge Montial ft.Xantone Blacq

Singer and pianist Xantone Blacq brings his considerable skills to the table acquitting himself admirably with his upbeat vocal delivery,fine scat and choice rhodes playing

Quentin Collins Sextet: Road Warrior (Ubuntu)

Collins comes out of the traps with all guns blazing followed by equally thrilling sax and piano solos.QC has breath taking fluency, over richly-layered harmonic pieces and a sweetness of melodic invention played with verve and passion.

Incognito: Tomorrow's New Dream (Bluey Music Limited)

Celebrating 40-years in the business, jazz-soul royals Incognito deliver their anniversary marking album "Tomorrow's New Dream" in typical kings of cool style. Sticking to their tried, tested and highly refined...

Ashley Henry: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (Sony)

Opener 'Starchild' sees star on the rise,Judi Jackson delivering a soulful vocal and spoken word contribution to this beguiling little number with Henry's trio perfectly in sync

BATL QT : LIVE

The stakes get raised with the explosive 'Running Away From Me' - Allen comes into his own with a ferocious solo his melodic touch is almost always masterful and his wailing is tempered sweetly too