Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: Bobby Hutcherson was one of the greatest vibraphone and marimba players in jazz, and he left behind a staggering legacy. By 1965 he was already recording his first album as bandleader for Blue Note, and just three years later he recorded Stick-Up!, his fifth for the label and one of his all time finest. Decca clearly agree as they now present the album again in their Tone Poet series. Backing Hutcherson up is Joe Henderson on tenor sax, McCoy Turner on piano, Billy Higgins on drums and Herbie Lewis on bass, and in that ensemble you get a golden example of post bop perfection.

Review: Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's 1965 debut, Dialogue, showcases his adventurous spirit. Already a versatile sideman on albums like Idle Moments and Out To Lunch, Hutcherson steps into the spotlight with a sextet featuring jazz luminaries Freddie Hubbard, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Richard Davis, and Joe Chambers. Dialogue captures Hutcherson's more adventurous leanings, pushing the boundaries of his instrument and the genre. This Tone Poet Vinyl Edition, meticulously mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analogue tapes, offers a pristine listening experience. Pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket, this reissue is a must-have for any serious jazz aficionado. It's a chance to hear a master musician at his most innovative and expressive.

Review: Bobby Hutcherson's innovative 1969 session Medina features a stellar lineup with Harold Land on tenor saxophone and flute, Stanley Cowell on piano, Reggie Johnson on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums all joining the legendary vibraphonist. The album showcases original compositions by Hutcherson, Cowell and Chambers and was recorded on August 11, 1969 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. This special reissue comes as part of the Tone Poet series produced by Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes.

Review: Bobby Hutcherson's iconic Happenings is a mesmerizing jazz opus that even now all these years later still brims with innovation and emotion. Released originally in 1966, the record showcases Hutcherson's mastery of the vibraphone and how he effortlessly weaves intricate melodies with a vibrant rhythmic pulse. Backed by a stellar ensemble including the one and only Herbie Hancock, Hutcherson crafts a sonic landscape that is both sophisticated and accessible. Tracks never fail to captivate with their dynamic interplay and infectious grooves, while reflective pieces are also included to offer moments of introspection. Happenings then is a standout from an unparalleled talent.

Review: Bobby Hutcherson's 1965 debut, Dialogue, marked his emergence as a leading vibraphonist, following his versatile work on albums like Idle Moments and Out to Lunch. The album reflects Hutcherson's more adventurous side and features a dynamic sextet with Freddie Hubbard, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Richard Davis, and Joe Chambers. This Tone Poet Vinyl Edition, produced by Joe Harley, was mastered by Kevin Gray from original analogue tapes so sounds superb, and has been pressed up to 180g vinyl at RTI. It comes in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket and offers audiophiles a premium experience that truly does Hutcherson's groundbreaking work justice.

Review: Featuring the vibraphonist in peak form while interpreting seven jazz standards with remarkable interplay, this newly reissued vinyl celebrates the album's 40th anniversary, bringing fresh attention to an overlooked gem. Hutcherson's quartetifeaturing pianist George Cables, bassist Herbie Lewis and legendary drummer Philly Joe Jonesidelivers a session filled with warmth and dynamic expression. The set kicks off with Thelonious Monk's 'I Mean You', immediately showing the group's cohesion. Hutcherson's phrasing on 'All Of You' is adventurous and his delicate touch on 'Spring Is Here' highlights his lyrical sensitivity. The brisk tempo of 'Star Eyes' adds energy, while 'If I Were A Bell' features an engaging solo introduction from Hutcherson. Cables shines on 'Summertime' and the album closes with an exhilarating take on 'Autumn Leaves'. Hutcherson's vibes function much like a lead horn, evoking the spirit of classic jazz quartets. Cables' piano work is exceptional and an intricate yet fluid accompaniment. Jones, whose drumming, delivers an impeccable performanceihis crisp, swinging touch is a masterclass. Overall, a very underrated a jazz album being reissued to a new generation is always a reason to celebrate.

Review: Bobby Hutcherson's Total Eclipse is a seminal work in the post-bop jazz genre. Released in 1968, the album showcases Hutcherson's masterful vibraphone playing and his innovative approach to composition which creates a sense of mystery and wonder. 'Herzog' is a up-tempo number, with Hutcherson's vibraphone taking a more prominent role. The track features some blistering solos from Hutcherson and his fellow musicians, including pianist Herbie Hancock and bassist Ron Carter. 'Matrix' is a complex and challenging piece that showcases Hutcherson's experimental side. The track features a variety of odd time signatures and dissonant harmonies, but Hutcherson's playing is always melodic and accessible. 'Same Shame' is a more traditional jazz ballad, with Hutcherson's vibraphone playing taking a more subdued role. The track is a showcase for Hutcherson's lyrical and sensitive playing. The album closes with 'Pompeian,' a haunting and atmospheric piece that recalls the title track. Total Eclipse is a masterpiece of post-bop jazz.

Review: 1969 was the year of release of this one and only album by Japanese jazz pianist Hideo Ichikawa, vibraphonist Hiroshi Matsumoto, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba and drummer Motohiko Hino, all in collaboration. A one-off coming-together, it centred on the valerian vibes of Matsumoto, whose star instrument, the vibraphone, was bound to take centre stage for its comparative novelty, not to mention the fact that Matsumoto himself had been practicing before the others. An honorary work, this urbane masterpiece hears tasteful vibraphonic panning in full stereo, as blue passing notes collide with expert steel brushings and untied chord playing, resulting in a unique but salubrious listen.

Review: 1970's Hello Herbie reunites The Oscar Peterson Trio with legendary guitarist Herb Ellis for what proved to be a timeless jazz masterpiece. Ellis, who played with greats of the genre such as Stan Getz and Ella Fitzgerald, was a key member of Peterson's trio from 1953-58. This album marks their reunion with Sam Jones on bass and Bobby Durham on drums. Featuring playful interplay between Peterson's virtuosic piano and Ellis' thoughtful guitar, the album is a testament to their musical chemistry and for this reissue has been remastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Christoph Stickel. The LP also includes original tape scans and new liner notes by jazz journalist Scott Yanow to add some extra perspective.

Review: Heart Trio features three devoted musicians - William Parker, Cooper-Moore, and Hamid Drake - dedicated to healing through sound. World-renowned bassist-composer William Parker has collaborated with Cooper-Moore and Hamid Drake for over 30 years, and since 2012, they've been core members of Parker's In Order To Survive quartet. Heart Trio marks their debut as a trio, with Parker on doson ngoni, dudek, and flutes, Cooper-Moore on ashimba and harp, and Drake on frame drum and drum kit. Their collectively composed music is for daily healing and centering, described by Parker as "heart and soul sound, dancing without pretense."

Review: The latest volume in BBE's J Jazz Masterclass series is something of a stone-cold classic: then young Japanese pianist Makoto Terashita's 1983 album-length collaboration with legendary tenor saxophonist Harold Land. Somewhat surprisingly, this is the first time that the sought-after set has been reissued since, making it something of a must-have for serious jazz fans. Both players are clearly audible throughout the LP, with the accompanying bassist and drummer generally kept low in the mix. It's an approach that pays dividends from start to finish, with highlights including the poignant and picturesque "Dear Friends", the epic dancefloor flex of "Dragon Dance" and the raucous, high-octane thrills of "Crossing".

Review: Brazilian music legend Hyldon teams up with producer Adrian Younge for the 23rd edition of Jazz Is Dead. A psychedelic soul album reimagining the magic of Hyldon's 60s and 70s work through a modern lens, Hyldon's vivant vocals and poetic storytelling are paired with the rich analogue production that made Younge's name, honouring the past and yet still keeping things afresh. It also stands as one of the final recordings of the late Ivan "Mamao" Conti, the iconic Azymuth drummer and Hyldon's longtime collaborator. Fusing MPB, tropicalia, and Black American r&b, we're slack-jawed with awe at this spiritual, which elutes from the ethereal 'Olhos Castanhos' to the cosmo-funk of 'Viajante do Planeta Azul'.

Review: Brazilian vocalist, musician and producer Hyldon De Souza Silva teams up with Adrian Younge on a brand new psychedelic Latin soul album, infused with the golden spirit of jazz, honouring both Hyldon's 60s and 70s opuses and Younge's trademark analog productions. With late drummer Ivan "Mamao" Conti on percussion, this is yet another tribute to the "Black Rio" movement in Brazil, an intoxicating infusion of Brazilian MPB and Black American rhythm & blues. The effect is major yet seductive, riffing on insporations from Marvin Gaye to Tim Maya to flatten the embossed edges of bossa nova and erotic funk, with remarkably paced and measured drumming and swirling vocal lines.