New Music Reviews

Ivo Neame Quintet, Kings Place

Matthew Wright Sunday, 13 April 2014

Pianist Ivo Neame, whose quintet gave a masterclass in the more reflective, concept-driven variety of contemporary jazz at Kings Place last night, is one of the lynchpins of the London scene. As well as leading and composing for this, his own group, he’s also a member of the LOOP Collective, supertrio Phronesis, and Marius Neset’s Golden Xplosion.

Reissue CDs Weekly: Vee-Jay Records

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 13 April 2014

Various Artists: Chicago Hit Factory – The Vee-Jay Story 1953-1966

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theartsdesk in Oslo: The Tape to Zero Festival

Kieron Tyler Wednesday, 09 April 2014

The on-stage collaboration between north-Norwegian ambient maestro Biosphere and his similarly inclined but sonically darker countryman Deathprod was a one off. At Oslo’s Tape to Zero festival, Biosphere and Deathprod bought the you-had-to-be-there moment. The pair had collaborated for a remix project of composer Arne Nordheim in 1998, but this was about new music.

Spring Quartet, Barbican

Matthew Wright Tuesday, 08 April 2014

In the 1960s and early 70s drummer Jack DeJohnette, now 71, was learning his craft with nearly everyone who was anyone, including Coltrane, Monk, Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis.

Evan Parker: 70th-Birthday Celebration, Kings Place

Matthew Wright Sunday, 06 April 2014

John Coltrane’s extravagant, trance-like saxophone-playing is often considered the pinnacle of jazz technique, but for Evan Parker, who celebrated his 70th birthday with a concert at Kings Place last night, it was only the starting point.

Reissue CDs Weekly: Gram Parsons

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 06 April 2014

Gram Parsons: The Early Years Vol 1 & 2

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Celebrating Jon Lord, Royal Albert Hall

Russ Coffey Saturday, 05 April 2014

Jon Lord may have tickled his last ivory in 2012, but last night his spirit lived defiantly on. The great and the good from both heavy and contemporary music gathered in his memory. It was for a serious purpose - to raise funds for pancreatic cancer care. But, boy, what a time we had doing it. A revolving door of stars brought us wild solos, screaming vocals and thundering rhythms.

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Polar Bear, XOYO

Matthew Wright Thursday, 03 April 2014

“The most influential band of the last ten years. Period,” said Jez Nelson, of BBC Radio 3’s Jazz On 3, announcing Polar Bear to the XOYO audience last night. It’s difficult to live up to an introduction like that, especially when the band wanted the audience to focus on their new album, which was launched that night.

Reissue CDs Weekly: Elton John

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 30 March 2014

Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road box set

Rebecca Ferguson, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Guy Oddy Friday, 28 March 2014

As anyone who has a television will know, Rebecca Ferguson is a graduate of The X Factor – having come runner-up in the 2010 competition.

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