Articles by Andy Crowther
New Releases From Linda Sikhakhane, Elias Haslanger, Skinny Hightower, Plus Classics From Willie Bobo, Weldon Irvine, Gilberto Gil And Eddie Henderson
by Andy Crowther
The latest smorgasbord of jazz-ish sounds old and brand new, from across the world. With up-tempo jazz-funk bangers to round out the show. Playlist Linda Sikhakhane “Indlela" from L I N D A (Blue Note) 00:00 Elias Haslanger “Legacy" from Legacy (Cherrywood Records) 04:36 Ulysses Owens Jr. And Generation Y “Touch Me I'm Sick" from Kind Of Grunge (Cellar Live) 10:45 Skinny Hightower “Nimbus" from Feels Like Destiny (Castover) 16:13 LOX “Healing" from The Eight Gates (Jazz Re:freshed) ...
Continue ReadingSanifu Hall & Cosmos Dwellerz Arkestra: These Are The Times
by Andy Crowther
Without paying attention to sleeve notes, you could be a fan of the Black Jazz record label and their run of funky yet deep releases of the 1970s, and miss the fact that trombonist Sanifu Al Hall Jr. both played and wrote on albums from Doug Carn, Henry Franklin, and Chester Thompson. If you like golden age hip-hop, and the classic “Luck Of Lucien" by A Tribe Called Quest, you might know it sampled “Forty Days" from Billy Brooks Windows ...
Continue ReadingLove Supreme Festival 2026: A Personal Perspective
by Andy Crowther
The South Downs in East Sussex is a beautiful part of the UK. Glynde Place, the location for the Love Supreme Jazz Festival, is in the sweet spot between the bustling seaside city of Brighton and Hove, and the dramatic ridges of the Downs. Rolling countryside, flint-stone buildings, and Glyndebourne House--famous around the world for its own opera festival--are just minutes away. Love Supreme has been running since 2013, with a line-up focused on major soul music acts and the ...
Continue ReadingEric Demuro: Simulacra
by Andy Crowther
Consider a surge of interest in Mediterranean jazz-funk and grooves, built on the Neapolitan nightclub scene and championed by the likes of Nu Genea and labels such as Early Sounds Recordings. Simulacra is a worthy addition to this oeuvre. A Venetian bassist and producer, Eric Demuro has studied formally in New York, spent time working with Swiss pianist Nik Bartsch, and in Berlin's Gifted Culture collective, where the modus operandi is “explorative cross-genre records with a spiritual electronics vibe." A spot-on description ...
Continue ReadingTunes released on and inspired by Record Store Day, plus International Jazz Day flavours
by Andy Crowther
Music from Cuba, Argentina and Brazil, with a sprinkling of Andalucian vibes. New sounds from Emmet Cohen, Flea, Gary Bartz, plus Record Store Day highlights from Buster Williams and Charles Tolliver. Playlist Rob Garcia's Sizzle Ensemble “Maiden Voyage" from Sizzle Ensemble (Connection Works) 00:00 Emmet Cohen “Well You Needn't" from Universal Truth (Mack Avenue) 04:59 Mark Wade Trio “Iberia" from Stages (Dot Time) 10:27 Charles Tolliver “Earl's World" from Right Now... And Then (Strata East) 19:00 Juan Pablo Torres ...
Continue ReadingBrick Lane Jazz Festival 2026
by Andy Crowther
Various Venues Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 24-26, 2026 2026 was the 5th edition of The Brick Lane Jazz Festival, and once again featured a variety of jazz-leaning acts from across the musical spectrum. There was a strong focus on young, mainly UK-based and often unsung artists, plus a smattering of fully qualified legends of the scene. Weekend passes had sold out, astonishing value at £150 to see over 100 acts. As always, choosing ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Di Gioia: Web Web - Kover Kover
by Andy Crowther
Web Web are a “German supergroup" releasing mostly their own material on the Munich-based Compost Records. All are heavily influenced by the spiritual sounds of the legendary Black Jazz and Strata East labels, the grooves of ethio-jazz, and the more experimental kraut-rock leanings of bands like Embryo. But their 2025 album Plexus Plexus tellingly included a cover of Moondog's “Bird's Lament." April 2026 sees the release of Kover Kover, where the band cover 14 songs for a whole album in ...
Continue ReadingWojtek Mazolewski Quintet at the Jazz Cafe
by Andy Crowther
Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet Jazz Cafe London February 11, 2026 It was a wet Wednesday night in London, and the sign outside the Jazz Cafe reads, “Tonight: Fearless contemporary jazz--Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet." The scene recalls a sketch in the surrealist British comedy show The Mighty Boosh, where Howard accuses his colleague of fearing jazz: the lack of rules, the lack of boundaries. It's a hilarious piece, where Howard has to be snapped out of a jazz ...
Continue ReadingPat Metheny, George Coleman! Vocals from Jose James and Gregory Porter. Deep UK music and jazz-funk
by Andy Crowther
New music from around the world, including an 89 years young George Coleman. Lots of guitar this month, from elder statesman and upcoming stars. Free music from vocalist Jose James paying tribute to John Coltrane. A selection of recent vinyl digs, Brazilian vibes from Denmark, and UK jazz-funk legends, Shakatak. Playlist Attilio Zanchi Septet “Charles Blues (Live)" from Mingus Portrait--Live at Nišville (Right Tempo) 00:00 Ingrid Jensen “Amsterdam after Dark feat. George Coleman" from Landings (Newvelle) 03:15 Harold ...
Continue ReadingUbunye: Tell Me The Truth Or Don't Tell Me Anything
by Andy Crowther
Ubunye's sophomore album on 33 Jazz Records is the provocatively titled “Tell Me The Truth Or Don't Tell Me Anything". In the words of band leader Dave Evans keyboards, “Our second album explores connection, to ourselves and to others, of going beyond the ego." It is an evolution of their refreshing and uplifting fusion of soul, jazz, and dance with the voice and rhythms of South Africa. Evans is joined once again by singers Xolani Mbatha and Nokuthula ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Showcase
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