Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: This trio performance from saxophonist Peter Brotzmann, drummer Milford Graves and double bassist William Parker now gets a look back via Black Editions, and captures a moment in time when greater synergy between jazz musicians might have been possible. Broadcast from the front room of CBGBs in 2002, this is the first ever recording of the band playing together, mainly cementing Graves' chops and standing as an immensely great drummer and worthy of his place in the percussive hall of fame. Graves lives up - our through - to his Thurston Moore-dubbed "living myth" status, with each musician feeding off each other in an impossibly timeless, rare, and sleek New York jass standoff.

Review: Miles in France, the eighth installment of the Miles Davis Bootleg Series, spotlights the birth of his Second Great Quintet in 1963-64. This collection features five performances across a superb six CDs that fully and perfectly capture the transition between eras in Davis' music. It includes over four hours of previously unreleased live recordings, with Miles joined by George Coleman (1963), Wayne Shorter (1964), Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. Expanding on Miles in Europe, this set offers all three performances from the 1963 Antibes festival and two unreleased concerts from Paris in 1964 so showcases the Quintet's famously evolving sound.

Review: An exciting, previously unreleased live recording of the iconic US jazz bassist Charles Mingus captured in Buenos Aires in June 1977. The performance features a stellar lineup with Ricky Ford on tenor sax, Jack Walrath on trumpet, Robert Neloms on piano and Dannie Richmond on drums, and now comes transferred from the original tape reels, recorded by engineer Carlos Melero, having been meticulously mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. This limited-edition triple album set is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Le Vinylist, and comes with an elaborate booklet featuring newly commissioned liner notes and interviews with artists influenced by Mingus. Released in with the authorisation of the Charles Mingus Estate, this is an exclusive offering for Record Store Day 2025.

Review: Charles Mingus' The Clown gets a reissue as part of Atlantic's 75 Historic Reissue Series. The Clown was Mingus' second consecutive masterpiece, featuring Jean Shepherd narrating the titular track about a clown striving to please. It introduced two of Mingus' finest compositions: the vigorous 'Haitian Fight Song' and the nostalgic 'Reincarnation of a Lovebird,' a tribute to Charlie Parker. Mingus' genius shines through in his focused yet flexible arrangements, balancing freedom and structure. The title track's improvisations, led by trombonist Jimmy Knepper, showcase Mingus' evolving modern compositional style with dissonance, tempo changes and intricate sections. This reissue beautifully captures the album's storytelling essence and musical sophistication.

Review: Charles Mingus' 1960 album Oh Yeah is a masterful blend of jazz and r&b that offers an inviting entry point for rock listeners. The album's vibrant energy and incorporation of heavy r&b influences make it a standout choice for those new to jazz, sidestepping the often inaccessible nature of traditional jazz presentations. Mingus' approach combines spontaneous jazz improvisation with a rock-friendly drive, evident in tracks like 'Hog Calling Blues.' You can't help but appreciate how Oh Yeah bridges the gap between jazz and rock, noting its dynamic, party-like atmosphere and Mingus' enthusiastic vocalizations. The album's drive and soul-infused style, reminiscent of Duke Ellington but with a modern twist, keep listeners engaged. We praise Oh Yeah for its ability to engage both casual listeners and jazz aficionados alike - the infectious enthusiasm and innovative blend of styles ensure that it remains a wonderful introduction to the genre.

Review: Charles Mingus' Pithecanthropus Erectus is a landmark in jazz, marking the shift from jazz as popular music to avant-garde experimentation. Mingus innovated by teaching arrangements by ear, composing with specific musicians in mind, and crafting tone poemsimoves that distanced him from traditional jazz standards. The title track is a haunting ten-minute tone poem, symbolising humanity's rise and fall. Its mix of eerie themes and chaotic bursts reflects civilization's cyclical collapse. Mingus' radical reimagining of Gershwin's A Foggy Day features jarring sound effects before settling into a more upbeat groove. 'Profile of Jackie' offers a moment of conventional beauty, showcasing Mingus' melodic side, while 'Love Chant' explores hypnotic repetition, though it drags in its early stages. However, the track evolves into an engaging improvisational journey. Featuring Jackie McLean and J.R. Monterose on sax, Mal Waldron on piano, and Willie Jones on drums, Mingus leads this quintet through a daring exploration of jazz's future. Pithecanthropus Erectus is a challenging but essential piece of jazz history.

Review: Charles Mingus's seminal long player Blues & Roots is now 75 years old and it still stands as a pivotal work in jazz history. The album is known for having redefined the boundaries of the genre and was originally released in 1959 as an Atlantic Records masterpiece. Now, this Anniversary Edition remains a testament to Mingus's innovative brilliance and an album full of blues and jazz, featuring raw, emotive performances by an exceptional ensemble. Mingus, both composer and bassist, navigates through a spectrum of emotions, from exuberant joy to melancholic reflection. With its expressive improvisations and dynamic arrangements, Blues & Roots is an enduring showcase of Mingus's prowess.

Review: To celebrate 30 years since their band first formed in 1991, Japan's pioneering Mondo Grosso has assembled a greatest hits collection that comes across two compilations, each on four sides of vinyl. Included are many of the biggest moments as well as new remixes and new mixes of key tunes, with a fresh remaster by the bands main man Shinichi Osawa himself. He was responsible for deciding which of the band's many tracks made the cut too so you can be sure it is as authentic as they come.

Review: Thelonious Monk's Quartet Plus Two At the Blackhawk is a pivotal live performance from 1960 with Monk's quartet alongside trumpeter Joe Gordon and tenor saxophonist Harold Land. The album opens with 'Let's Call This,' where Monk's piano work and Gordon's trumpet blend seamlessly, setting a lively tone. 'Four in One' features intricate improvisations, highlighting the group's cohesive interplay. 'I'm Getting Sentimental Over You' slows the pace with a tender, emotive rendition, underscoring Monk's nuanced piano artistry. 'San Francisco Holiday' is a buoyant, rhythmic piece, while 'Round Midnight' delivers a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of Monk's classic composition. The album closes with 'Epistrophy,' an infectious and rhythmically complex piece that exemplifies the ensemble's dynamic energy and innovative spirit. Overall, Quartet Plus Two At the Blackhawk is a vibrant piece that shows Monk's genius and the extraordinary talents of his band. This well made reissue is another great record in Monk's illustrious catalog.

Review: As part of the newly relaunched Original Jazz Classics Series, Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio has remastered this seminal jazz record from Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane from the original tapes and in all analog fashion. It's a deserving treatment for what many believe to be one of the great ever collaborative jazz records. As well as those two legendary players and jazz innovators, further greats joined in the recording sessions including Art Blakey on the drums, Wilbur Ware on bass, and alto sax from Gigi Gryce. What a piece of history it is too.

Review: Revered jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery originally released Full House in 1962, and it became one of his most popular albums. Recorded live at Tsubo coffee house in Berkeley, California, the classic LP showcased particular selections from his performance which became hugely influential thanks to Montgomery's distinctive, expressive tone. Now Craft have gathered together all the original analogue tapes to present a definitive edition of the album spread across three discs, including some alternate takes recorded during the hybrid recording session and concert. After his untimely passing in 1968, Montgomery's playing became a source of fascination for successive generations of jazz guitarists, and here, laid out in comprehensive fashion, is the reason why.

Review: The iconic bounty hunter returns with a soundtrack as unforgettable as the character himself. This edition combines the original eight-cue program, originally released by RCA Records alongside music from the series' first film, with the complete film score in mono, all meticulously remastered by Claudio Fuiano and Daniel Winkler. The vibrant packaging includes front cover art by Renato Casaro and a portrait of Morricone by Fuiano. The vinyl version is pressed on transparent white and orange wax, housed in a striking gatefold sleeve. Often overshadowed by its predecessor and successor, this film features a compelling narrative combined with Morricone's masterful composition. The score has pre-written themes, including a haunting motif tied to a musical pocket watch, seamlessly woven into the storyline. Popular in its era, the music inspired covers by Hugo Montenegro and Billy Strange, further cementing its place in cinematic history.

Review: Renowned DJ and selector MURO is a Jedi-level compiler and this new collection of his delves into Victor's extensive archives to spotlight a world of Japanese jazz, fusion and AOR. It take sin plenty of internationally known names like Yasuko Agawa on the sunset sounds of 'L.A. Night', Sadistics who offers the more psyched out guitar leans of 'On the Seashore', Yuji Ohno's neo-Balaeric bliss-out 'The Dawn of Seychells' and Hiroshi Fukumura's soul soothing Ry Ayres-style melodies on 'White Clouds.' These are luxurious sounds and timeless tracks with MURO's signature funky perspective making this a brillaint choice for brighter, warmer days.

Review: Fourth Wave's latest compilation feels like a musical postcard from Japan's vibrant underground, gliding through genres with effortless charm. Mari Nakamoto's 'Day Dreaming' sets a tranquil mood with her airy vocals drifting over soft, dreamy instrumentals. Yudai Suzuki's 'Midnight Calling' brings smoky sax riffs and laid-back grooves, perfect for late-night introspection. Yasuhiro Abe's 'Night Fish' dives into psychedelic waters, swirling with hypnotic melodies and unpredictable rhythms. Maki Asakawa's 'Kohi Hitotsu' radiates raw emotion, her voice rich with longing. Yuji Ozeki's 'Futaribun No Yume' blends traditional Japanese sounds with modern electronics, crafting a sound both timeless and futuristic. Jin Kirigaya's 'Matenro Monogatari' closes the collection with cinematic depth, its sweeping arrangement lingering long after the final note.

Review: David Murray is a prolific American jazz musician. His particular skills lay in tenor saxophone and bass clarinet and he has recorded several well thought of albums. In fact, he has over 200 LPs as a leader and countless more as a sideman under his belt so is a true musical legend. In 2020, Mr. Mandel celebrated Murray's work with 'Murray Mondays' on Instagram Live and when Murray returned to New York in 2021, he recorded a solo tenor saxophone and bass clarinet session at Reservoir Studio. The result was exceptional, leading to this double LP which now gets reissued.

Review: The 1973 album Love Devotion Surrender marks the singular collaboration between guitar legends Carlos Santana and Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, resulting in a spiritually charged masterpiece. This reissue from Mobile Fidelity unties both of the artist's quest for enlightenment, drawing inspiration from John Coltrane's work and their shared devotion to Indian guru Sri Chinmoy. Sourced from the original analog master tapes, this reissue showcases the album's intricate sonic landscape with remarkable clarity. The dynamic interplay between Santana and McLaughlin, with Santana predominantly on the left and McLaughlin on the right, creates an wonderful live listening experience. The album’s varied tempos and tones, ranging from delicate acoustic passages to powerful bursts of percussion, are brought to life with extraordinary realism. Featuring interpretations of Coltrane classics like 'A Love Supreme' and 'Naima,' as well as original compositions, the album blends jazz, rock, and gospel elements. Larry Young, credited as Khalid Yasin, delivers standout organ accompaniment, adding depth to the improvisational lines and ecstatic chords that define the record. Love Devotion Surrender remains a transcendent journey through sound, driven by two of music’s most visionary artists.