Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The Last Poets, pioneers of revolutionary spoken word and proto-rap, return with a powerful new album that blends their fiery lyricism with the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat. 'Africanism' sees the legendary duo, Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan, collaborating with a stellar cast of musicians, including the late Tony Allen, Prince Fatty, and members of Seun Kuti's Egypt 80. The result is a potent and timely exploration of social and political issues, delivered with the same raw energy and uncompromising spirit that has defined The Last Poets' music for over five decades. Abiodun revisits classics like 'When The Revolution Comes' and 'Gash Man', their messages of social justice and self-empowerment still burning bright. Umar's 'Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution' and 'Just Because' remain as potent and provocative as ever, their unflinching commentary on race and inequality cutting through the noise of contemporary discourse. The album's musical landscape is equally captivating, with Tony Allen's polyrhythmic drumming providing a driving force, complemented by the soulful melodies and intricate arrangements of the contributing musicians. A powerful reminder of the transformative power of music and spoken word.

Review: Jeff Parker and his ETA IVtet are back with their first new music since 2022's Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy. The album delves into improvised jazz grooves and features longtime collaborators Anna Butterss on upright bass, sax from Josh Johnson and Jay Bellerose on drums. The compositions are carefully crafted to capture the essence of a single night's setlist and reflect the unique atmosphere of the now-defunct Enfield Tennis Academy. Parker channels this space into a beautifully layered and dynamic piece that builds intricate, shifting textures from simple musical ideas that evoke a rich, immersive listen.

Review: Jeff Parker's The Way Out of Easy harnesses his long-running ETA IVtet's residency at the Los Angeles creative music venue, ETA. Featuring saxophonist Josh Johnson, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Jay Bellerose, the album comprises four expansive tracks recorded live on January 2, 2023. Known for their transcendental, groove-oriented improvisations, the ETA IVtet's sound evolved over seven years, blending minimalism and polyrhythmic mantras. Engineered by Bryce Gonzales, who designed a custom mixer specifically for the group, The Way Out of Easy presents a pure, transparent auditory experience. The set begins with 'Freakadelic', a composition from Parker's 2012 album, before moving through meditative and richly textured pieces like 'Late Autumn' and 'Easy Way Out'. The album closes with a spontaneous dub/reggae groove titled 'Chrome Dome'. As the final chapter in ETA's history, The Way Out of Easy is a testament to the ensemble's deep creative synergy and the enduring spirit of the venue.

Review: Following years of notable collaborations with some of jazz's leading voices, saxophonist and band leader Walter Smith III finally broke through in 2023 via a first headlining album for Blue Note. On his return to the label, Three of Us Are From Houston and Reuben is Not, Smith pays tribute to the Texan city of his birth in the company of Jason Moran (piano), Eric Harland (drums) and Reuben Smith (bass). It's a pleasingly breezy, positive and expertly crafted affair, with the quartet running through a series of ear-catching Smith compositions and a radical (and rather good) interpretation of an old Sam Rivers number. A wholehearted tribute to the rarely discussed cultural richness and diversity of Smith's home city.