Articles by Neil Duggan
Steve Lodder: 2 sorts of 3
by Neil Duggan
Pianist Steve Lodder's album 2 sorts of 3 was originally envisaged as two separate projects, one acoustic and one electronic. He ultimately bought them together to create a single release that bridges both plugged and unplugged worlds. Lodder utilizes two contrasting lineups, on the electronic side, he is joined by his long-term collaborators; Dudley Phillips on guitar and electric and double basses, alongside drummer Nic France. On the acoustic side he works with Freddie Jensen on double bass and drummer ...
Continue ReadingNugara Trio: The Last Question
by Neil Duggan
The Last Question is the second album from Nugara Trio, an Italian band comprising pianist Francesco Negri, bassist Viden Spassov and drummer Francesco V. Parsi. Conceived as a concept album, the title is drawn from an Isaac Asimov short story exploring the ultimate fate of the universe. This narrative forms the framework uniting the album's nine compositions. While such subject matter might suggest a synthesizer-heavy fusion album brimming with robotic sounds, the reality is far more organic: this is simply ...
Continue ReadingIan Shaw: Stephensong
by Neil Duggan
With numerous plaudits and awards garnered over a long career, vocalist Ian Shaw presents Stephensong. A deep dive into the work of one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater, composer Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim was also no stranger to awards, having picked up eight Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Throughout his multifaceted career, Shaw has occasionally focused on interpreting the work of iconic figures including Joni Mitchell, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, ...
Continue ReadingTommaso Iacoviello: Birds
by Neil Duggan
The world around us grows increasingly loud as artificial noise proliferates, drowning out natural sounds. Italian trumpeter Tommaso Iacoviello believes “nature is not only something to look at, but also something to listen to." His debut album, Birds, invites us to “stop for a moment, close our eyes and listen to what surrounds us. Imagine immersing ourselves in an ancient forest, hearing the rustle of leaves in the wind, the melodious song of birds and the slow flow of a ...
Continue ReadingWill Barnes Quartet: Outside the Light
by Neil Duggan
Once an area of contention, the border between England and Wales, known as the Welsh Marches, is now a lovely rural region of farms, valleys, hills and castles. The Will Barnes Quartet draw inspiration from this landscape, as well as that of Mid Wales, to drive their compositions and improvisations on Outside The Light. This major step forward follows on from their debut album Source of the Severn (AAB Records, 2023). Across the album's eight tracks, guitarist Will ...
Continue ReadingTom Ollendorff: Where In The World
by Neil Duggan
Since 2021, guitarist Tom Ollendorff has been evolving his sound over two promising albums. Where In The World marks a flowering of his talent, showing sophisticated playing and refined composing. Some of the impetus for this progression stems from his first collaboration with pianist Aaron Parks, whose style forms a natural synergy with Ollendorff's and proves the ideal vehicle for these pieces. Joining them are Ollendorff's long-standing musical partners: bassist Conor Chaplin and drummer James Maddren. The association ...
Continue ReadingLisa Hilton: Extended Daydream
by Neil Duggan
Lisa Hilton's success story continues with her 31st release, Extended Daydream. Her considerable body of work makes frequent chart appearances and measures streams in millions. She appears in various group formats, but on this occasion, the focus is on her quintet. That quintet is based around her longtime trio with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston, augmented with the return of tenor saxophonist JD Allen, who has appeared on eight of Hilton's previous albums, along with another ...
Continue ReadingDexter Gordon: More Than You Know (1981)
by Neil Duggan
More Than You Know is a previously unreleased live recording by jazz legend Dexter Gordon. It is the first in the GleAM Records series dedicated to the giants of jazz. The recording features saxophonist Gordon performing with his early 1980s quartet: Kirk Lightsey on piano, David Eubanks on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. Dating from July 1981, it was recorded at the Villa Imperiale, Genoa, Italy and has the full backing of Gordon's estate. Having played with ...
Continue ReadingFlorian Arbenz: Convergence: Moon
by Neil Duggan
For over 30 years drummer Florian Arbenz has taken his drumming style into new genres. His Conversation series produced 12 albums with 12 different ensembles and as part of the VEIN trio, he recorded eight albums, collaborating with Dave Liebman, Marc Johnson and Andy Sheppard. Classically trained, he has also worked as a percussionist in numerous concerts and festivals. Florian Arbenz: Convergence is a series of cross-continental collaborations, Moon being the second album in the series. He initially ...
Continue ReadingRuby Rushton: Legacy!
by Neil Duggan
Legacy! is the fifth studio album from Ruby Rushton. For the avoidance of doubt, Ruby Rushton is a band named after the grandmother of the bandleader Ed Cawthorne, who prefers to be known under his stage name of Tenderlonious. Fortunately, there is no confusion when it comes to their original compositions, written by Tenderlonious and keyboard player Aidan Shepherd. They are bright, cohesive and hugely effective. Previously, the band, which also features trumpeter Nick Walters and drummer Tim ...
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