jazz
Album Review: Various Artists – Chris Sullivan presents The Wag – 4CD remastered
David Bowie, Keith Richards and Joe Strummer were just a few of the big names to frequent Londons Hotspot club of the 80’s ‘The WAG’, a ‘haven for misfits’ that would attract such a following it would fill the floors seven nights a week with its various themed nights. Over the years The Wag would host a multitude …
EP: Jasmine Power – Stories & Rhymes EP
Out now is Stories & Rhymes, the debut EP from London based (via the lake district and Wales) singer songwriter Jasmine Power. Already her Jazz stylings have attracted the interest of the likes of Gilles Peterson, and on the evidence of the record, the increasing hype is totally justified. Comparisons inevitably can be drawn to …
EP: Chloe Leone – Domesticated
Chloe Leone is an up and coming songstress from Birmingham, now residing in London and making her first steps into the world of music. She has released her debut EP, the wonderfully cool and entrancing “Domesticated” which features four full tracks and two shorter skits which all showcase her terrific vocals and modern, engaging style. …
Album Review: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Twisted Nerve
In 1968 a British psychological horror film called ‘Twisted Nerve’ starring Hywel Bennett, Hayley Mills and Billie Whitelaw was released. Although now long forgotten, only to be referenced now and again by film critics of the obscure, it does have one positive, the soundtrack. Regarded as one of on’s finest works it was plucked from obscurity …
Album Review: John Coltrane – A Love Supreme : The Complete Masters
Music shouldn’t be easy to understand. You have to come to the music yourself, gradually. Not everything must be received with open arms. – John Coltrane, 1963 This is a sentiment that I can wholeheartedly agree with. There have been many instances over the years that I’ve come at an album and couldn’t find …
Win: Two Tickets for Gogo Penguin at London Village Underground 25.2.16
We’ve been big fans of Manchester jazz trio Gogo Penguin for about as long as we can remember. The three piece, pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner drew on not only the jazz heritage, but broader influences such as Brian Eno, John Cage, Massive Attack and Aphex Twin to make something …
Track: Kneebody & Daedelus – ‘Drum Battle’
Following on from releases from Thundercat and Kamasi Washington, Flying Lotus’ increasingly important and consistently brilliant label Brainfeeder is preparing to release an new album, Kneedelus, featuring LA/Brooklyn instrumental quintet Kneebody, and esteemed electronic producer Daedelus. Although they first appeared on wax together as part of Daedelus’ Remixes record from 2088, its a partnership that …
Not Forgotten: Steely Dan – Can’t Buy a Thrill
Steely Dan are one of those acts who are spoken of in hushed tones. Be it their studio perfectionism, their increasingly deft blending of rock and jazz as their career progressed, or their smart arse lyrics, Steely Dan are a band beloved by those who take music very seriously indeed. For many Steely Dan fans, …
Feature: 10 Bands to Catch at Tramlines this weekend
So, it’s here again, Sheffield’s brilliant City Centre festival – Tramlines. With (literally) hundreds of bands to choose from all over the city this coming weekend (24th-26th July), it’s an unenviable choice to pick some things out, but do it we have. With headliners such as Basement Jaxx, Wu-Tang Clan, Martha Reeves, The Buzzcocks and …
Win: Tickets for Nostalgia 77 @ Rich Mix, London 18.9.15
He doesn’t play out very often, doesn’t Ben Lamdin, aka Nostalgia 77 so there’s much excitement here in Backseat Mafia towers that he’s announced a rare live appearance, along with his full live band, at Rich Mix, London on Friday 18th September. After bursting onto the scene with this atmospheric (nu)jazz and fresh take on …