A selection of the hot new music surfacing across the continent this month by the top European jazz magazines and websites.
Paweł Brodowski, Jazz Forum (Poland):
Mateusz Smoczyński «Metamorphoses» (Zbigniew Seifert Foundation)trailer on YouTube | listen on Yandex.Music | listen on Spotify (registration required) | listen on Deezer (registration required) | buy online from distributor An impressive first solo violin outing by Mateusz Smoczyński, a founding member of the now famous Atom String Quartet (and who for a few years was also a pillar of the Turtle Island Quartet) featuring his original compositions with a nod to his guru Zbigniew Seifert, but going beyond jazz into classical music and other genres. Hence the title „Metarmphoses”. |
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Rui Eduardo Paes, Jazz.pt (Portugal):
Fred Frith / Hans Koch «You Are Here» (Intakt)album trailer on BandCamp | listen on Yandex.Music | listen on Dezeer (registration required) | album on label’s website |
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Mike Flynn, Jazzwise (U.K.):
Snowpoet «Thought You Knew» (Edition)trailer on YouTube | album trailer on BandCamp | album on label’s website A wonderful album that’s as much folk as it is jazz – but works perfectly in its own sound world with complete integrity and an immersive, understated power – Lauren Kinsella’s voice is spellbinding. |
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Anna Filipieva, Jazz.Ru (Russia):
Lera Gehner «Look into My Soul» (Bomba Piter)album in GooglePlay | listen on Yandex.Music | listen on Spotify (registration required) The new, high-voltage record from temperamental singer Lera Gehner, who is based in St. Petersburg, provides a hot treatment for cold Russian winter, completed with danceable grooves and spicy horn section work. |
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Jan Granlie, Salt Peanuts (Norway-Denmark):
Yoram Rosilio & the Anti RuBber brAiN fAct0rY «Anti RuBber brAiN fAct0rY & Mar0kAït» (Le fondeur de son records)Anti Rubber Brain Factory is a wonderful collective that takes the legacy of some of the most exciting jazz one step further. A fantastic blend of the best jazz from the 60’s and folk music from North Africa, that fits perfect in the shadow with a glass of something fresh, on a hot day. |
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Christine Stephan, Jazzthetik (Germany):
Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition «Agrima» (Mahanthappa’s Music)Album available exclusively on the artist’s website | trailer on YouTube |
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Henning Bolte, Jazzism (Netherlands):
Christian Lillinger's Grund «C O R» (Plaist-Music)trailer on YouTube | album trailer on BandCamp | album on label’s website C O R is the new album of drummer Christian Lillinger’s seven-piece ensemble GRUND – something you should check out every way. It is a striking album bringing advanced music of a very own, no compromise approach with a strong signature. Decidedly conquering new grounds it boldly navigates a diversity of diverging forces and aggregation states – misty, spacey, jolting, hovering, shredding… Layers and textures permeate each other in flowing or fidgeting movements leading into remarkable condensations, expansions as well as stunning transitions. Lillinger’s taut composition grid strongly binds the musical capacities and energies of his six highly profiled fellow musicians and in return sets free those musicians’ astonishing musical fantasy and creativity – as unity a force like a twirling sandstorm. From a deeper ground then a kind of Spreewald Fight Song is resonating through it. |
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Magnus Nygren, Orkester Journalen (Sweden):
Johan Graden «Olägenheter» (Moserobie)Release scheduled for February 9, so far, only a trailer on SoundCloud is available |
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Cim Meyer, Jazz Special (Denmark):
Peter Erskine New Trio «In Praise Of Shadows» (Fuzzy Music)buy on Amazon | listen on Yandex.Music | listen on Spotify (registration required) | listen on Deezer (registration required) | album on artist’s website (attention: in order to access the website, it requires you to prove that you are not a robot!)| album on label’s website Peter Erskine is a highly esteemed percussionist with impeccable taste, but the quite extraordinary treat here is pianist and arranger Vardan Ovsepian, who has penned a collection of originals plus a stunning reharmonization of Chaplin’s Smile. |
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Lars Mossefinn, Dag & Tid (Norway):
Thomas Strønen Time Is A Blind Guide «Lucus» (ECM)trailer on YouTube | album on GooglePlay | listen on Spotify (registration required) | listen on Deezer (registration required) |
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Axel Stinshoff, Jazz thing (Germany):
Henri Texier «Sand Woman» (Label Bleu)trailer on YouTube | listen on Deezer (registration required) |
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Luca Vitali, Giornale della Musica (Italy):
Fire! «The Hands» (Rune Grammofon)one track on YouTube | album in GooglePlay | listen on SoundCloud | album on label’s website |
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Madli-Liis Parts, Muusika (Estonia):
Reigo Ahven Trio «Remember» (Fish Records 2017)Video: one track live on Estonian TV | one track on SoundCloud |
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