'Sonoro' by Giulia Barba

'Sonoro' is the new album release from Italian saxophonist and composer, Giulia Barba, who unveils her sophomore album release some nine years after her debut album as a band leader with 2013's 'The Angry St Bernard'.

At the helm of her own sextet, 'The Angry St Bernard' saw Barba play alongside some fantastic musicians including Gidon Nunes Vaz (trumpet), Christian Ferlaino (sax), Sri Hanuraga (piano), Luca Dalpozzo (bass) and Joan Terol Amigó (drums).  Delivering an inspired and wonderfully dynamic record, Barba and company presented a distinct vision for their music masterfully showcasing an eclectic array of styles across the album's eight tracks.

But while it has taken nine years for Barba to officially release her sophomore album, the years in between have seen a healthy amount of music releases positioning the saxophonist amongst a range of artists and ensembles.  Perhaps it was her early fascination with philosophy while studying at the University of Bologna that has enabled such an expansive appreciation for jazz music and a unique ability to regard the genre from a variety of varying perspectives and approaches.  Amongst Giulia Barba's expansive resume, there is the Tanz Frank Tanz project (2015) with saxophonists Conni Nicklaus and Olympia Jensen; her compositions for theatre projects, namely the play 'La Dolce Guerra'; her role within the big band ensemble of the Tower Jazz Composer Orchestra and their 2019 album, 'Trova L'intruso'.

It's a thrilling collection of projects surely born of a genuine fascination with the seemingly limitless and far-reaching capabilities that contemporary jazz has its disposal.

Such bold explorations have reached an exciting peak with 'Sonoro' which looks to completely reinvent Barba's work to date opting for a far more minimalist but wholly more complex aesthetic.  Veering into new directions from the septet and larger ensembles of past projects, Barba now finds herself embracing the creativity of a quartet that pairs her with Daniele D'Alessandro on soprano clarinet, Andrea Rellini on cello and Marta Raviglia on vocals.  With Barba credited for composition, arrangements and bass clarinet, 'Sonoro' draws from the elegance of neo-classical compositions alongside the innovation of ambient or free jazz.

The sublime 'The Everlasting Voices' slowly ushers us into this new and immersive musical soundscape which is almost cinematic in its scope and brought to life through songs like 'Requiem', 'Birth of a New Religion' and 'Bassorilievo', along with its 'Extended' counterpart.

'Sonoro' is a bold and impassioned project and one that positions Giulia Barba as a continuing and burgeoning light within contemporary jazz.

'Dosage' by OTOOTO

'Dosage' is the new album release from Danish quintet, OTOOTO, who swiftly follow up on last year's debut release with a fantastic second album.

Continuing their fruitful relationship with April Records, last year's fresh-faced full-length 'This Love is For You' introduced listeners to the band's vision for contemporary jazz which was bursting with innovative and inspired ideas and concepts underpinned by a sublime neo-soul aesthetic that worked wonders with the band's overall compositions.  Excitingly, just over a year since OTOOTO introduced themselves to the world, the quintet boldly seek to reinvent their sound and are able to conceive a second album that finds entirely new inspiration within an even more eclectic soundscape. 

OTOOTO is comprised of members saxophonist Oilly Wallace, trumpeter Jonas Due, Matthias Petry on bass, Calle Brickman on keys and Andreas Svendsen on drums. Although a tight-knit quintet consisting of incredibly talented young Danish musicians, it is Wallace and Due who act as the nucleus of OTOOTO. As founding members and responsible for the project's production for 'This Love is For You', OTOOTO is a fascinating meeting of the minds of these two shining lights from Danish jazz each bringing a wealth of experience to the table. 

For saxophonist Wallace, his expertise have been honed as part of numerous ensembles, including his own Oilly Wallace Quartet, while trumpeter Due proves to be just as in-demand a musician amidst the Danish scene who can further boast having graced stages across Europe and the US.  Through each of their numerous projects, both Wallace and Due have become adept at creating music that celebrates their affections across the ever-broadening scope of contemporary jazz, be them as varied as big band projects to the avant-garde to improvisational collectives.  Despite these extensive resumes and credentials, OTOOTO's 'Dosage' still makes it way to us in near record time and proves to be just as thrilling as its predecessor.

While the music throughout 'This Love is For You' revelled in sublime horns and lush keys, 'Dosage' digs deeper within the players' bag of tricks presenting a more dynamic approach to what now defines OTOOTO.  More synth-heavy compositions along with tracks that showcase a more improvised nature add so much personality that each track stands out as wholly distinctive throughout the nine tracks assembled here.  Rapper E Brown serves as an excellent guest on 'Everything Matters to Me' adding very welcome hip-hop sensibilities to the album and Swedish vocalist Lucky Lo further contributes to two of the album's high points with appearances on the glossy synth backdrop of 'You Should Know Me Better' and the elegant 'Take a Little Time'.

It's a real testament to the overall skill and creativity of OTOOTO to be able to deliver two vastly different projects within such a short amount of time.  While 'Dosage' will certainly occupy our speakers for some time - as 'This Love is For You' still does - an uncontrollably inquisitive nature can't help but wonder where album #3 could possibly take them so fingers crossed that in time we'll find out.

'2061' by EABS

 

'2061' marks the new album release from Polish ensemble EABS unveiling their fourth album for the prolific Astigmatic Records.

The last EABS album - the sensational 'Discipline of Sun Ra' - saw the Polish collective take listeners on a spiritual and cosmic journey throughout the cosmos under the wisdom and tutelage of Sun Ra.  And while, as listeners, 'Discipline of Sun Ra' became an album that transported us from the daily hum drum of our earthbound existence towards these inspired new worlds and perspectives throughout each (repeated) listen, it turns out that the place we would visit through our headphones was a place that EABS didn't actually return from.

EABS have always worn their hearts on their sleeves - be them drawing from 90s hip-hop or typically immersing themselves within Poland's rich history and culture (as evidenced via their first two albums 'Repetitions (Letters to Krzysztof Komeda)', 2017, and 'Slavic Spirits', 2019) - so it's a testament to their continual far-reaching vision that '2061' can place them even further afield, not just geographically, but through time periods that don't see them paying homage but forging ahead into the unexplored.

Perhaps these phenomenal space explorations have become about sheer escapism though?  Certainly not a collective to allow themselves to be slowed down or hindered by something as mundane as a worldwide pandemic, the years since our world turned upside down have continued to produce some of EABS' best work - as a unified collective, individual efforts or via their spinoff group, Błoto.

The foreboding urgency of 'Global Warming' kicks the album off, further feeding into the nature of our doomed surroundings and it's somewhat harsh, but justifiable, perspective is a theme that continues throughout the album's nine tracks.  Tracks like 'Lucifer (The New Sun)', 'The Mystery of Monolith' and 'Dead Silence' are bleak but phenomenal pieces of music with 'Human Hero' injecting a little hope in humanity before legendary Polish saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski guests on the album's closing number - 'A Farewell to Mother Earth' - the track that seals all of our fates.

The fantasy-esque nature of 'Discipline of Sun Ra' makes way for a considerably bleaker perspective of who we are and the decidedly worrying direction our planet is steering towards, from an ecological nature and the general end-of-days events we've experienced over the last few years.  As a four-album run, EABS have carved out a mind-blowing experience - as mentioned previously, from the nostalgic and respectful tributes to Poland's history all the way to this planet's final days so if EABS were to cite this as their final ever album, then what a harrowing but immaculate story that would tell.  But as the infamous words of Jeff Goldblum's Dr Ian Malcolm utter in Jurassic Park (1993), "Life finds a way", which should give us all hope that EABS will resurrect us for their fifth outing.

'Light in Chaos' by 7th SENSE

'Light in Chaos' is the debut, full-length outing from the Romanian collective, 7th SENSE.

Preceded by two singles earlier this year in the brilliant 'Almost Five' and 'Wild Birds', Bucharest's 7th SENSE provided delectable glimpses into their fresh-faced and inspired interpretation of jazz in the run-up to 'Light in Chaos'.  Through band leader and bassist, Laura Benedek, the 7th SENSE collective are now able to present nine exquisite selections showcasing their expansive styles and disciplines across the ever-broadening scope of contemporary jazz.  While noted for their improvisational compositions, 7th SENSE also share a strong penchant for the infectious groove-based, neo-soul stylings that adorn the music throughout this incredible album.

The concept of 'Light in Chaos' is certainly an evocative title for an album - as a global society, the last few years have seen the world struggle with ever-changing socio and political climates, continued threat of international conflict, increased costs of living and the ongoing struggle attributed to a worldwide pandemic.  These have been incredibly difficult times where it has felt that even tiny glimmers of hope have been scarce.  Despite these natural assumptions, much of the music throughout is performed with an elegance and charm that perhaps alludes to sensitivities of a more personal nature as opposed to issues on such a grand scale.  

Comprised of band members Sergiu Bivol (trumpet), Lucas Contreras (guitar), Adi Stoenescu (Fender Rhodes), Gabi Matei (drums) and Benedek on bass, 7th SENSE deliver a sensational statement of intent with this album.  From the warm and vibrant Will Fry-assisted opener, 'Two Moons', which is instantly followed by the exquisite string-laden 'Pain', there is an undeniable chemistry within 7th SENSE band members that generates a real magic when they play together.  

With compositions inspired by a mix of jam sessions and treated as a collaborative experience between the band members, there is a free-flowing, almost effortless energy that carries across the album's tracks which is an openness that warmly extends towards the project's numerous guest contributors who each bring further thrilling dimensions to the album's aesthetic.  Benedek's minimalist pairing with vocalist Luiza Zan for the track 'Fretless' makes for both a sublime and mildly ethereal experience: "I take the blame for going astray, it was expected in a way, to search myself and come what may".

It's these touching moments of sincerity that make 'Light in Chaos' such a spectacular project - it's fun, affectionate, honest and blissfully creative and an album that, if you let it, will make you smile, think and maybe even be sad at times but these are those rare gifts that music can give us.  

It was once said that "Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality."  This album represents more than a solitary light amongst the chaos, it represents more than simply hope... it is hope realised.

'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' by Alpacas Collective

'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' is the debut album released from the Belgian musical ensemble, Alpacas Collective.

As outlined via their Bandcamp page, musically, the Alpacas Collective treat listeners to inspired and broad sonic soundscapes that draw from a variety of cultures and eras including 60s and 70s Ethiopian styles and compositions, afrobeat and US style funk.  Or as the Alpacas Collective themselves surmise: "Lagos to Addis Ababa, from Augusta, Georgia to New Orleans...".

The overall narrative of the Alpacas Collective, however, seeks even greater inspiration than even the aforementioned lands can sufficiently provide, as alluded to within the album's title.  'Plutonia' refers to a 1924 novel by Russian author Vladimir Obruchev which detailed the existence of an underground world populated by prehistoric animals and primitive people, admirably captured by the album's original artwork.

It is somewhat ironic that although 'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' finds itself immersed within these imaginary settings, the album itself was created in the midst of a real-life period where social distancing, face masks, Zoom-based interactions and excessive amounts of hand sanitizer dominated our world.  Subsequently, the album's recording was ultimately created with audio files having been transferred around the group and band members involved in separate recording sessions, indicative of the way the music industry had to react to the incredible restrictions of the time.  

Conversely, this can also be seen as a challenge that many have risen to - the need to continually create, even in less-than-inspirational circumstances has resulted in an incredible album in 'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia'.  The album not only still finds a way to boast the boundless skill, chemistry and dynamicism of the Alpacas Collective themselves but the album also plays host to an extended array of friends and collaborators who provide even greater dimensions to some of the music throughout.

The album's playful title track demonstrates much of the collective's charm and personality while tracks like 'Flugzeug String Machine' and 'The Chase' continue in conveying more of the band's positive and uplifting energy.  'Stranger to Myself' delivers as another of the album's high points and an exquisite example of Alpacas' ability to deliver equally sensational pieces of music amidst a more introspective nature.

'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' bestows some wonderful moments throughout the album and with great excitement we'll await the collective's next adventure, no doubt, to even further and great magical lands.

'Resynthesis' by Jamie Leeming

'Resynthesis' is the debut full-length release from London guitarist and producer, Jamie Leeming.

Long-time followers of Leeming's music are sure to greet the news of this release with great enthusiasm as 'Resynthesis' is far from the introduction to a new artist but one already boasting an incredible amount of experience, accolades and collaborations to his name.  

The album finds its home on the revered pianist Alfa Mist's Sekito label which is a fitting home when considering the extensive list of Alfa Mist projects that have featured Leeming's indelible touch including 'Antiphon' (2017), 'Structuralism' (2019) and 'Bring Backs' (2021).  Also of note is the guitarist's contribution to Alfa Mist's rendition of Eddie Henderson's 'Galaxy' for the brilliant 'Blue Note Re:imagined 2020' project showcasing an elite selection of UK jazz acts tackling Blue Note's iconic catalogue.  

Leeming's successes continue this year with his contribution to 'JAS FIVE' - drummer Jas Kayser's breakout project released  as part of the celebrated Jazz Re:freshed series.  The release marked a notable moment in Kayser's own burgeoning career but also found Leeming as part of the release's core line-up, even warranting himself a name check in the track 'Jamie's Blues'.

Much of the joy of Leeming's music can seemingly be found within the explorative nature of it - whether that role finds the guitarist in session duties mode helping to inspire new life for a fellow artist's musical vision or whether that role finds him at the helm of his own musical project embracing the multitude of thrilling thoughts, ideas and directions at his disposal.  

Leeming's warmly-received five-track EP, 'Heartsong', unveiled as far back as 2015, introduced listeners to just a snapshot of his skill as a performer and producer, backed by an excellent array of artists and musicians; 'Flow' (2020) would demonstrate completely different facets to Leeming's music as his partnership with pianist Maria Chiara Argirò resulted in a sublime piece of work that still sought to create multi-layered compositions that went beyond any imagined limitations that the duo arrangement of guitar-piano might suggest. 

And now with 'Resynthesis', once again, Leeming embraces the challenge of reinventing himself - over the course of the album’s eight tracks, listeners are treated to otherworldly sonic explorations that boldly weave between themes and styles across broader sonic soundscapes resulting in music that is both inspired and bursting with personality.  Although a project that embraces a progressive and free-flowing approach throughout, 'Resynthesis' is very much a focused record with a clear depiction of its goals and intentions.  Exquisitely produced and executed, Leeming's vision is facilitated by some awesome names including the aforementioned Jas Kayser on drums, saxophonists Quinn Oulton and Nathaniel Facey (guesting on 'Champion' and 'Shinkansen' respectively), and vocalist Laura Groves who soars on 'Long Term Memory'.

'Resynthesis' does more than justice to Jamie Leeming's legacy to date.  His is a distinctive and unique approach to his music and one that benefits from his desire to create in exciting and innovative; 'Resynthesis' is a testament to those qualities and we certainly look forward to his future musical explorations.

'Bits O' Honey' by Tize

'Bits O' Honey' is the new EP release from DJ and producer Tize now available via Electric Friends Music.

We've previously marvelled at the brilliance of the multi-talented South African artist and his wonderful compositions steeped within the realms of soulful house.  Starting with his debut single, 'Shining Praise', the song presented a real exquisite and meticulous vision for his own sound within the genre and laid the groundwork for an incredibly promising talent.

And it's absolutely set expectations that are on the verge of being realised through continually higher-profile platforms.  While further singles have been released direct to Tize's Bandcamp page ('Right Here' and 'In My Soul'), a variety of labels, recognising the indelible talent, have also enthusiastically sought to collaborate on projects comparatively early in his career...

Last year's 'Lost in Translation' EP was hosted by Antidote Music - a label with over ten years of history celebrating deep, soulful and afrocentric house and a label that has become adept at recognising a burgeoning talent like Tize.  This year, however, is the turn of Electric Friends Music who have the distinction of boastfully showcasing Tize's latest three-track offering in 'Bits O' Honey'.  For the label that proudly declare "We Play Different because We Think Different", it's a further high-profile acknowledgement that Tize's phenomenal talents are finding new audiences.

'Bits O' Honey' contains three tracks - 'Bits O' Honey', 'Far Out' and 'Gimme Some' - that are impeccably put together and elegant in their distinctive musical textures.  The tracks are carried along by glorious afro-centric rhythms, great use of vocal samples throughout and a masterful fusion of beats and sublime instrumentation.

Tize's latest EP release, again, sees him living up to his promise and continually forging ahead with what is sure to be an inspired career.

'Bits O' Honey' is available via Traxsource and Beatport.