Category Archives: Jazz Reviews

Avishai Cohen – Big Vicious

Posted on May 25, 2020 by WalkerWords

This is a remarkable instrumental album. Sometimes jazz releases can be clever-but-unpleasant; this one, though, is an absolute delight, because the band has put melody centre stage, expanded the style to include electronica, and re-invented a classic Massive attack track … Continue reading →

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ECM’s Touchstones Series is a Jazz-lover’s Playground

Posted on September 29, 2019 by WalkerWords

Regular readers will have noticed my love of music from the prestigious, award-winning ECM label – which is essentially one man’s high quality, long-term project. For 50 years, German bassist Manfred Eicher has been recording over one thousand jazz and … Continue reading →

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Speechless

Posted on September 8, 2018 by WalkerWords

Here’s some of the best instrumental music of the year so far to come across my desk (or, more accurately, kitchen table). There is jazz, neo-classical, folk, Celtic and various points in between. Most of it is cottage industry stuff, … Continue reading →

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Anouar Brahem – Blue Maqams

Posted on December 25, 2017 by WalkerWords

(ECM) There is something tantalising about Tunisian oud master Anouar Brahem’s restraint. The tentative playing on his previous release – the excellent double disc Souvenance – seemed to reflect the political uncertainty of his Tunisian homeland in the wake of … Continue reading →

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Anouar Brahem – Souvenance (ECM)

Posted on April 12, 2015 by WalkerWords

This fragile sound of nascent hope is a unique piece of ambient jazz with an exotic edge, and is one of the major discoveries of 2015 for me. 4.5 Stars Disc 1: 6 tracks / 52 mins. Disc 2: 5 … Continue reading →

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Jacques Loussier: Personal Favourites, Other Composers

Posted on December 31, 2014 by WalkerWords

Great or not, Lacques Loussier has quietly made a tremendous impact on British culture 4 / 3.5 Stars CD 1: 27 tracks, 137 mins CD 2: 22 tracks, 131 mins Tel Arc I’m not sure whether to describe Jacques Loussier … Continue reading →

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Quercus – Quercus (ECM)

Posted on April 28, 2013 by WalkerWords

What? June Tabor on a jazz label? 4 Stars 12 Tracks / 46 Minutes Well, yes, but it does make plenty of concessions to her folk core and becomes a blend of the two genres sealed seamlessly by sensitive and … Continue reading →

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Saffron – Dawning (Palmetto Records)

Posted on March 30, 2013 by WalkerWords

Gorgeously sensual, this lush world- jazz is so global that it connects 13th century Persian poetry with the Rolling Stones 4 Stars 7 Tracks / 70 Minutes Often a release reinforces the feeling that corporate music is ridiculously over-valued and … Continue reading →

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Branford Marsalis Quartet – 4 MFs Playing Tunes (Marsalis Music)

Posted on September 2, 2012 by WalkerWords

This one is all about the tunes, but features typically tight interplay from a renowned quartet that almost defines classic jazz. 4 Stars 9 Tracks / 67 Minutes One of the things that never changes about the Branford Marsalis Quartet … Continue reading →

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Tord Gustavsen Quartet – The Well (ECM)

Posted on June 6, 2012 by WalkerWords

  Tord Gustavsen’s excellent serving of chilled jazz is already on my short list for the best of 2012. 4.5 stars 11 tracks / 53 minutes The place where music is conceived can have a radical effect on the style … Continue reading →

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Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo (Marsalis Music)

Posted on June 4, 2012 by WalkerWords

This duo keeps the Marsalis family brand’s reputation for classic, breezy jazz. 4 stars 9 tracks / 55 minutes When the Branford Marsalis Quartet released their last album Metamorphosis, Marsalis – being a democratic kind of bandleader – gave each … Continue reading →

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