Blues and Soul Music Magazine

Anita Carmichael : Take your time

Throughout the 90's she was a tour de force on the jazz scene on the UK and in Europe in many ways she was our answer to Candy Dulfer

Roy Ayers: JID 002 (Jazz Is Dead)

Ayers is known as The Godfather of Neo-Soul and the vibraphone legend is back after 18 years with a new album unveiling a fresh, modern approach to his classic 70’s style...

Lady Blackbird: Blackbird (Foundation Music)

Lady Blackbird has the same urgent grace as her musical mentor Nina Simone and she really takes, what is an essentially acapella song and adds her own powerful magic and spirit to proceedings...

The Brecker Brothers : Live And Unreleased

There's plenty of audaciousness to savour as great musicians don’t just keep playing, they constantly evolve and this is the distilled maturation caught at this particular moment in time.A band at the height of its creative powers.

Malcolm Strachan : About Time

Just The Thought Of You' sees this scorching unit take it down a notch with this summery ballad adorned with virtuosic flugel and choice yet plaintive piano.A fantastic piece of writing that reminds me of Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds.

Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie : I Fall In Love Too Easily

This all augurs well for the impending album,'Weathering The Storm' due out in May on Lateralize. Expect more of the same plus some Tom Waits and Randy Newman interpretations.

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.

The Jazz Defenders : Scheming

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