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Norma Winstone, Kit Downes: Outpost Of Dreams
by Neri Pollastri
Nato in modo quasi accidentale --la pianista abituale della cantante non era disponibile e le serviva un sostituto --quest'incontro tra generazioni diverse di artisti britannici ha subito funzionato talmente bene da dare in fretta questo eccellente frutto. La cantante è Norma Winstone, ottant'anni passati e portati benissimo, il pianista Kit Downes, trentotto anni; la prima ha alle spalle un'invidiabile carriera che l'ha vista al fianco di artisti come Kenny Wheeler e John Taylor (clicca qui per la recensione della recente ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell, Kit Downes, Andrew Cyrille: Breaking the Shell
by Alberto Bazzurro
Ogni tanto Bill Frisell si concede qualche scappatella fuori dai patrii confini (che già per loro conto variano, vedi il recente Orchestras). In questo nuovo, singolare lavoro, uscito in realtà a oltre due anni dalla sua incisione (maggio 2022), il grande chitarrista recupera scorie (nell'accezione più alta del termine) di quel sano sperimentalismo che, all'interno della sua produzione abituale (più o meno, come si diceva), non gli fa sostanzialmente più compagnia da tempo. Intendiamoci: l'ex ragazzo di Baltimora ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell / Andrew Cyrille / Kit Downes: Breaking the Shell
by Mike Jurkovic
When in as unique a setting as St. Luke in the Fields, the English village-like church on Hudson Street in Greenwich Village, it only figures that guitarist Bill Frisell, pipe organist Kit Downes and drummer Andrew Cyrille would rise to the distinct occasion and create something equally anomalous. A grand host of noir sci-fi themes and motifs run through Breaking the Shell. And it is awesome to hear. The trio is in an active, real-time thought experiment: what music will emerge, ...
Continue ReadingNorma Winstone, Kit Downes: Outpost Of Dreams
by Chris May
Any release by Norma Winstone is an event and Outpost Of Dreams, her much anticipated first album since 2018's Descansado (Songs For Films) (ECM), rises to expectations. It presents her in a new duo setting with pianist Kit Downes, a star in his own right who is equally on point as an accompanist. His sensitive, empathetic playing here is a delight in itself. Outpost Of Dreams was recorded in Italy in 2023 with ECM's Manfred Eicher producing. ...
Continue ReadingDavid Preston: Purple / Black Vol. One
by Neil Duggan
Guitarist David Preston, one third of Preston-Glasgow-Lowe, has previously released two recordings with that trio, exhibiting an intense fusion-based style. He is often found sharing on-stage credentials with musicians such as Emma Rawicz and Melody Gardot. For Purple / Black Vol. One, his debut recording as leader, he has opted for a simpler, more distinctive soundscape which emphasises atmosphere and texture. Despite this change of style, Kevin Glasgow remains as electric bassist and they are joined by two ...
Continue ReadingAlex Hitchcock: Dream Band: Live in London
by Glenn Astarita
This is a bold expedition into the heart of progressive jazz, rendered across a vast canvas of three enthralling nights at the Vortex Jazz Club in London. This three-CD collection is not just a mere album, but a grand, audacious gathering of talents which blurs the line between a larger ensemble setup and a more intimate, modern band experience. Hitchcock's nifty approach to ensemble creation is at the core of this live recording. Rather than sticking ...
Continue ReadingAlex Hitchcock: Dream Band Live In London
by Chris May
Viewed in retrospect, the abiding memory of 2023 is that it produced too many jazz albums prioritizing technical facility over emotional engagement. In London, New York and elsewhere (but not, so it seemed, in Chicago), musicians appeared to focus on virtuosity rather than feeling. Dullsville. For the record, some of those albums that did put soul on, at the least, an equal footing with cerebralism, are to be found in the Best Albums of 2023 round-up which can be read ...
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