'Music For Fantasy, Road Tripping and Day Dreaming' by Lambda 77

'Music For Fantasy, Road Tripping and Day Dreaming' is the brand new release from Lambda 77 via France's Q-Sounds Recordings.

Delivering the second helping in what now appears to be an ongoing 'Music For...' series, the union of Hamburg musicians Sebastian Nagel and Albrecht Schrader, under the collective banner of Lambda 77, present a scintillating introduction to the Q-Sounds label and a worthy successor to the efforts of Rob D. Vulosic.

Released earlier this year, the series was kick-started with 'Music For Riots Revolutions & Showdowns' by Vulosic (with more than a little help from musician, producer and Q-Sounds' very own Norman Smuggler) which presented a fantastic twelve-track musical exploration into the gritty, abrasive and visceral notion of revolution.  A theme which generated some brilliant pieces while holding a mirror up to countless sinister and somewhat bleak global events from government corruption to worldwide pandemics to police brutality.

Lambda 77 however seek to pull us all from the harsh realities of our everyday lives and elevate us to higher states of bliss, of fantasy, reverie and imagination.  

In many ways, Nagel and Schrader have been abiding by these rules when it comes to music for years... For guitarist Sebastian Nagel, those traits were absolutely achieved via his time as part of The Mighty Mocambos - one of the leading worldwide names for funk & soul, The Mighty Mocambos' presentation of blazing horns, propulsive drums and fervent guitars mixed within an ode-to-hip-hop breakbeat platform have long served as the Mocambo staple across the multitude of their releases as a unit and collaborations with Caroline Lacaze, Gizelle Smith and their side project, the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band.

Albrecht Schrader provides a distinctly alternate take to Nagel's history of dancefloor-based grooves with more lush recordings showcasing his innumerable talents as a singer, songwriter and pianist.  With several releases to his name, along with contributions to others' projects, Schrader's masterful talents provide a sublime accompaniment to Nagel's with Lambda 77 able to offer a wonderful culmination of both artists' abilities.

The project's eight tracks are gloriously indicative of the "fantasy, road tripping and day dreaming" aesthetic with tracks capturing these phantasmical elements perfectly.  'Wrong-Way Drive', 'Don't Connect the Dot$' and 'False Memory' are sensational album highlights - their use of lush synths and psychedelic guitars paired with an expansive cinematic scope places you physically in the car along with our two musical navigators - where you're going is irrelevant, time isn't a consideration, all there is the final moments of the day before the orange-tinged sky fully disappears and makes way for the solace of darkness.  Bliss.

Eagerly looking forward to the next instalment of Q-Sounds' 'Music For...' series and what deep-seated and inherent experience will be bestowed upon us next.

'A Supreme Vibe' by The Supreme Court

'A Supreme Vibe' is the new full-length album from The Supreme Court musical collective released through Copenhagen's April Records marking the label's final release for what has been a truly outstanding year.

As flag wavers for Danish jazz, April Records have actively sought-out projects that take exciting and innovative perspectives on contemporary jazz - from the neo-soul inspired compositions of the brilliant OTOOTO and the upcoming project by Tigeroak, the global music perspectives offered up by Kalaha and the brilliance of Alawari who strived to "tear the world apart" and invited the listener to piece it back together.  

Each of the label's releases has delivered something of a definitive manifesto about the genre with clear designs for taking the music into thrilling new directions.  Now the turn of The Supreme Court, the quartet use their debut project to take the baton and spearhead explorations that merge jazz with hip-hop and soul shining a light on Denmark's thriving underground scene.

Comprised of bassist Jonathan Rahbæk, guitarist Johannes Wamberg, pianist Jacob Broholm and Andreas Fryland on drums, The Supreme Court foursome boast an incredible level of experience across the broad spectrum of performance and creation - with the band members each in-demand as session and touring musicians, they are also noted for their compositions within film and theatre, their participation within numerous musical collectives and solo projects in their own right.

Musically, the group immerse 'A Supreme Vibe' within a more soul-inspired soundscape and are backed by an incredible array of artists and musicians each wonderfully committed to helping realise a bold and dynamic vision.  Rappers including Joseph Agami, E. Brown, Al Agami and Kuku Agami feature heavily throughout alongside some very welcome musical guests in Oilly Wallace (saxophonist) and Jonas Due (trumpet) from OTOOTO.  The hip-hop inspirations that run throughout the album are punctuated by the free-flowing nature of songs and collaborations, and the sometimes short run-time of some of the tracks actually helps to further cement the concept by emulating an old-skool mixtape aesthetic to the project as a whole.

There are a number of highlights throughout 'A Supreme Vibe' including the ethereal 'Hjem' which boasts a sensational vocal from singer-songwriter Bette; 'Bird Seed', a quintessential soul number featuring a great vocal from Patrick Dorgan, and 'Passing Moments' featuring Al Agami which boasts some genuinely infectious and sublime production bolstered by some excellent horn assistance from Wallace, Due and Roald Elm Larsen.

While 'A Supreme Vibe' is very much an album wholly distinct for April Records, it absolutely does continue with the label's overarching theme of exploration - the elegant production and arrangements and the crisp performances from an awesome collection of artists are all synonymous traits with the label's past releases that pay homage to a new and modern era of hip-hop, soul and jazz music.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #117: Carmy Love

Welcome to Episode #117 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with singer-songwriter, Carmy Love.

As a vocalist for New Street Adventure - whose debut release with Acid Jazz came in the form of 'No Hard Feelings' in 2014 - Love is accustomed to sharing the studio and stage with premier London-based talent within the realms of funk and soul so the recent transition to solo star in her own right is absolutely a welcome move.  Having amassed a series of incredible singles for the London-based Big AC Records including 'Thinkin' About You', 'Together Again' and 'Rebel', Carmy's fantastic vocal sits right at home over the blissful 60's-style, horn-heavy soul soundscapes.  

We catch up with the gloriously warm-hearted and effervescent Carmy Love to discuss the conclusion of the Big AC Soul Revue tour, the transition to solo success and the upcoming release of her new single 'In The Morning' due 2nd December.

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#117_Carmy Love

'Begin Again' by Tize

'Begin Again' is the brand new EP from South African DJ and producer, Tize, released through Pasqua Records S.A.

Tize's incredible interpretation of afro-centric soulful house has been steadily garnering significant praise and adulation over a comparatively short space of time.  With his very first independently released single 'Shining Praise' unveiled in late-2020 through his Bandcamp page, Tize has filled the time since with a phenomenal work rate that has spawned two further singles 'Right Here' and 'In My Soul', again, independently released; a three-track EP entitled 'Lost in Translation' for Antidote Music and another three-track EP 'Bits O' Honey' for Electric Friends Music.

It's absolutely a phenomenal work rate particularly with music of such an incredibly high standard.  

And with the release of 'Begin Again', Tize once again raises the bar within his own exquisite, dancefloor-friendly house treasures.  On track to becoming a genuine master of his craft, Tize's compositions masterfully showcase his uncanny ability to create club-friendly music while serving as deeply intimate pieces at the same time.

Pasqua Records has cultivated a steady catalogue of releases celebrating afro house and soul music with past releases coming from Tar Ntsei, Ray Naldo and Tankie-DJ.  'Begin Again' presents five tracks once again, delving deep within a multi-layered and multi-faceted exploration of the genre generating some of Tize's best work to date.  The collaboration with vocalist Sobantwana marks a strong highlight as her sublime vocal compliments Tize's production perfectly; the near eight minutes of 'Time to Time' is fantastic and clocking an additional eight minutes onto the current run time would have been wholly welcome, and then there's the EP closer of 'Wholesome Canvas' which is perhaps the most intricate and complex production across the whole EP - a really fantastic track to conclude the project with.

We're in little doubt that a new Tize project is already in the works thanks to the producer's insatiable desire to continually create which is just a joy to see unfold across these continually brilliant projects.

'Begin Again' can be purchased through Traxsource.

'Flying in a Box' by Enrico Bracco

'Flying in a Box' marks the brand new album release from Italian guitarist Enrico Bracco which also marks his inaugural release for the brilliant A.MA Records.

It's been an exceptional year for A.MA following releases by Max Kochetov, Ivan Radivojevic and Antonio Trinchera, and the appointment of Enrico Bracco to its roster serves as another strong moment for the label.  Bracco boasts an incredible career to date - with 'Flying in a Box' delivering his fifth album as band leader, his extensive catalogue has also seen the guitarist perform on projects alongside Rosalia De Souza, Fabrizio D'Alisera, Alice Ricciardi and Andrea Biondi.

Bracco's meticulous approach to music-making could only be rivalled by his commitment to storytelling.  Whether this focus was inspired by the variety of scores he has composed for film and theatre or whether that just proved to be the perfect vessel at that time, Bracco's passion has long been found in his ability to detect the long-form narrative running in conjunction between imagery and music.  Even the illustrative works of Austrian artist Egon Schiele provided inspiration for Bracco's 'Quiet Man' release from 2015 delivering as another form of the guitarist's innovative and abstract storytelling.

It's this very profound perception to his craft that has endeared Bracco to listeners over the course of five releases and that continues to make him such a sought-after collaborator.

'Flying in a Box' provides the natural extension to Enrico Bracco's musical philosophies thus producing a fantastic release not just within his own catalogue but within that of A.MA's as well.  

Bracco's featured players throughout 'Flying in a Box' mostly comprise long-term collaborators as well as members of the Enrico Bracco Quintet including saxophonist Daniele Tittarelli, pianist Pietro Lussu, drummer Enrico Morello and Giuseppe Romagnoli on double bass.  The album kicks off with the understated Bracco-led 'Flow' before making way to an elegant selection of songs ranging from the more vivacious 'Urge' to the more ballad-inspired compositions like 'Cold' and 'Proved Honesty', all displaying Bracco's skill as a guitarist and masterful composer.  Album closer, 'The Same Way', delivers as a wonderful album highlight, sublime in its performance and execution.

For first-time listeners of Enrico Bracco, 'Flying in a Box' marks a brilliant introduction to his exquisite music and the album absolutely warrants a story worth hearing.

'It Takes All Kinds To Make A World' by Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra

'It Takes All Kinds To Make A World' is the brand new album release from Danish saxophonist Fredrik Lundin who aligns with the Odense Jazz Orchestra for this remarkable April Records release.

The bio section of Lundin's website cites the saxophonist, flautist, composer and band leader as an artist "searching relentlessly into the realms of contemporary music, respecting no boundaries" - it's a fascinating depiction of a musician continually striving to create not just outside of the box but to tear the box all the way down and rebuild it from scratch with each new outing.  It's an incredibly visceral approach to music-making which, again, serves as an incredibly apt term for a significant portion of this album.

For existing followers of Lundin's music to date, these are words that more than likely resonate fairly loudly - with music releases since the early-1980s, Lundin can boast having contributed to over forty albums and served as a leader and member of ensembles including Offpiste Gurus, 5 Go Adventuring Again, the MaLuBa Orchestra, the Tone of Voice Orchestra and the Marilyn Mazur Group which really only skims the surface of his contributions to the Danish jazz scene.  A highly-decorated, award-winning and revered artist, Fredrik Lundin sets the standard for what it is to be an artist who strives to create and redefine his own expectations of what jazz can and should be.

And that mindset and has found a kindred spirit in that of the Odense Jazz Orchestra - or more accurately the *eighteen* kindred spirits that comprise the ensemble formerly known as the TipToe BigBand.  Since the band's inception in 1994, the Odense Jazz Orchestra find the same joy that emanates from Lundin when it comes to challenging expectations of the expected Big Band aesthetic along with the thrill of collaboration and sharing of ideas and styles.

It certainly makes for an exciting blank canvas when considering these two factions coming together with the intention of creating in a distinct and unique way.  The album does find its focus however by turning its attention towards matters that impact us all as individuals and as a global community - the last few years have presented everyone with an inconceivable amount of challenges that have sought to divide us politically, racially and environmentally; a worldwide pandemic ground everyday life to a screaming halt; the continual threat of war looms over us... it can all often feel more than we are equipped to handle and 'It Takes All Kinds To Make A World' finds inspired ways to convey and connect with that level of restlessness and unease.

The word visceral was used earlier and while it is an impassioned way to describe Lundin's take on composition, within the context of the music here, it's a word that connects in a different way perhaps best exemplified with the album's opening number 'Desperate Times, Desperate Measures'.  A truly fantastic song that captures that level of almost sinister foreboding incredibly well.  Conversely, there's a thrilling and inescapable hard groove to the album which further adds to the project's overall urgency in its message.  'Now or Never', again, a brilliantly performed track bursting with ideas and influences that seems to contain elements of a 1970's funk record set against that expansive big band sound.

'It Takes All Kinds To Make A World' is an incredible album and a release that would sit proudly amongst both Fredrik Lundin and the Odense Jazz Orchestra's finest works.  Its music serves as a passionate and relevant voice in times where these voices are needed.

DUMHI: 'Uncle Miles' EP + Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #116 with Haj

'Uncle Miles' is the new EP release from the Dumhi musical collective.

'Dumhi', the over-arching name that encapsulates the record label as well as the musical collective of musicians, rappers and vocalists has long served as the labour of love for Dumhi founder and producer, Haj.  The Philadelphia/New Jersey-based label have consistently released an incredible variety of thoughtful and imaginative releases that range from the neo-soul-inspired stylings of Fermented Spirits to engaging hip-hop releases by Reef the Lost Cauze and Ethel Cee.

Beyond these opportunities to connect with like-minded artists and afford them a platform for their own artistry, the label is very much a glorious playground for Haj to continually demonstrate his varied and masterful production chops.  Through a variety of beat tape styled projects that typically embrace a broad selection of themes - from the ambitious and brilliant 'Shanti's Rebuttal' which sought inspiration from "70's thriller movies from India, China and Europe" to the intoxicating energy of 'Teriyaki Hairpiece' which is profoundly described on Bandcamp as "15 years of assembling noise" - Haj's boundless vision is only limited by the scope of his own imagination.

The release of 'Uncle Miles' now seeks to extend Haj's limits to an even greater musical plateau - with the majority of his productions to date revolving around the art of meticulous and skilful sampling, the compositions for 'Uncle Miles' mark a turning point as the music stems from more live instrumentation with Haj at the helm along with friends Jason LoVullo and Margel Overton making appearances on bass and keys respectively.  

The compilation features an exciting array of friends and label affiliates with highlights including rapper Terrence Wood who appears on the soul-infused 'Blood', the neo-soul gem 'Honey' that features vocalists Belli and Michele QJ alongside rapper Ethel Cee is a strong contribution as is the return of Fermented Spirits for the glorious 'Slide'.  Backed by an excellent and intimate video, the Fermented Spirits duo which comprises Haj partnering with singer-songwriter Michele QJ deliver one of the year's best songs whetting appetites for a follow-up to the 'Like Minds' deluxe edition released in 2020.  Theirs is genuinely a pairing that generates a distinctive magic and 'Uncle Miles' is all the better for it.

'Uncle Miles' is indicative of a label that is built around an unwavering passion and desire to create.  With some incredible releases to their name, the new EP serves as both an awesome introduction for new listeners to Dumhi as much as a fantastic project for long-time fans of the label.

We were thrilled to talk to Haj about the latest 'Uncle Miles' EP, his move as a producer towards more live instrumentation and how he navigates the challenges of running an independent label in today's digital realm - all in the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #116...

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#116_Haj Of Dumhi

'The Light' (2022 Reissue) by Deborah Jordan

Seeing its release on vinyl for the first time is the debut solo album, 'The Light', from Futuristica recording artist, Deborah Jordan.

Initially unveiled in 2009, 'The Light' was warmly received thanks to its fluid mix of organic neo-soul stylings interspersed with lush broken beat soundscapes resonating with listeners both new and those who would have already served as long-standing and devoted fans of the singer-songwriter.

Although, today, we regard Deborah Jordan as an established solo artist with three sensational albums to her name - 'The Light' (2009), 'What You See' (2011) and 'See in the Dark' (2020) - 'The Light' would have had to contend with an incredible weight of expectation particularly when considering the high standard and volume of Jordan's musical output at that point in time.

As lead vocalist for the beloved Kaidi Tatham and Dego project, Silhouette Brown, Deborah Jordan became a key component within a certified classic broken beat and nu-soul record that still serves as a benchmark for the genre nearly twenty years later.  Jordan's unrivalled performance alongside the production of two of the most revered names in broken beat and dance completely enthralled listeners of the group's self-titled 2005 release.  

As adept as her incredible vocal has always been when immersed within these electronica-inspired soundscapes, Jordan's passion for music runs far deeper than a commitment to any one genre or style; her unwavering charm truly rests within her chameleon-like ability to cement the classic that is 'Silhouette Brown' or a release on the other end of the spectrum like the treasure that is 'Trust' by Robert Mitchell's Panacea.

Serving as one of pianist Robert Mitchell's many projects, the Panacea collective - which also boasted the distinction of Richard Spaven on drums - delivered some fantastic releases with 'Trust' providing a particularly noteworthy entry within the series.  The reunion of Jordan's vocal alongside Mitchell's piano for the latter's brilliant release 'Hold The Light/The New Resistance' (2022) serves as a great reminder of the fantastic chemistry between the two long-time collaborators and a reminder for what a magical album 'Trust' really is.

It is a lot of credentials to have run through so apologies for the perhaps excessive amount of details above but it's hard not to consider these past highly-revered projects when considering the challenges 'The Light' would have had to face in introducing Deborah Jordan as a solo artist in her own right.  The album's opening two tracks always seemed to be (sub)consciously addressing those points with the dawning-of-a-new-day feel of 'The Light Intro' which leads straight into 'Brought To Life' - a powerful statement of intent designed to introduce Jordan finally front & centre with the spotlight firmly fixed on her.  

An all-star production team are enlisted to help facilitate the vision for 'The Light' with names including Atjazz, label mates Electric Conversation, Simbad, Jniero Jarel, Rise (later known as Mecca:83) and long-time production collaborator Marc Rapson.  While past projects have positioned Jordan amidst a variety of varying sonic backdrops, 'The Light' finds something of a dynamic happy space that masterfully pulls together from each of her musical facets - the neo-soul of 'Home', the broken beat structure of 'Future Calling', the 90's R&B-infused 'Want It Back' and the trippy but lush 'Nothing Lasts'.

While collaboration has continued to serve as a key component for Jordan's music to this day - including releases under the banner of Sun Circle with Simon S and the 'HUMAN' project with K15 - the solo albums have continued to flourish with those releases cementing Deborah Jordan as one of the UK's most sincere and compassionate artists who has always managed to convey so much through her music making her one of the most profound and earnest voices of our time.

EFG Jazz Festival 2022 at the 606 Club

With the EFG London Jazz Festival 2022 imminently upon us, the ten-day event is set to play host to some wonderful artists across several of London's most celebrated venues.  Since the festival's inception in 1992, the EFG has been driven in its celebration of jazz across the city while pulling in an awesome array of contemporary jazz talent including both local home-developed heroes alongside highly-decorated, international stars.

In support of the Festival, London's cherished 606 Club is playing host to an excellent line-up of performances during that time and we've spotlighted a few performances that would be well worth your time to explore further.

EFG Jazz Festival 2022 - 11-20th November

Imaani & Special Guest: Joy Rose [Friday 11th November]

The incredible Imaani kicks off proceedings at the 606 Club with what is sure to be a dynamic and soul-infused performance.  Perhaps best known as long-standing vocalist for Incognito - having graced several of their albums including 'Amplified Soul', 'Bees + Things + Flowers' and 'Tomorrow's New Dream' - her rich and sublime vocal has consistently proved to be a match made in heaven for Incognito's distinct blend of jazz-funk.  Imaani's credentials extend far beyond the definitive Bluey collaborations with the vocalist having featured for artists including The Layabouts, Diplomats of Soul and Reel People.  The Incognito love-in continues on the night with vocalist Joy Rose appearing as a special guest adding  which is an absolute treat.

Anita Wardell "Tribute to Betty Carter" [Sunday 13th November]

Vocalist Anita Wardell graces the 606 Club stage leading her quartet in celebration of the music of Betty Carter.  As a vocalist and educator, the UK-born and Australian-based Wardell found inspiration at a young age from the early works of Miles Davis, Carmen McRae and of course Betty Carter.  The celebrated artist has since gone on to amass a fantastic catalogue of releases in celebration of her life-long passion for jazz music dating as far back as her 1995 debut, 'Why Do You Cry?'.  With a long-standing history of spirited and engaging collaborations with artists ranging from saxophonist Benn Clatworthy and pianists Jason Rebello and Robin Aspland, Wardell's sincere and respectful approach to her music has consistently proved to be one of her most endearing qualities.  The legendary works of Betty Carter will certainly be in a safe pair of hands.

Jas Kayser & Jungle Trio [16th November]

Jas Kayser provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with her music on an inspired level as she performs as part of her Jungle Trio alongside Joe Webb (piano) and Will Sach (bass).  Based between London and Panama City, the drummer and composer has quickly developed an incredible career for herself as a session musician, performer and artist in her own right.  With a breakout release this year in the form of 'JAS 5IVE', the project served as a further instalment within the heralded Jazz Re:freshed 5ive series that continues to demonstrate the label's foreboding of the next wave of jazz superstar.  With collaborative and performance credentials steadily growing which thus far has seen Kayser grace stages and studios alongside Alfa Mist, Jorja Smith and a scene-stealing showcase in Lenny Kravitz's 'Low' video, Kayser finds ways to bring her indelible charm and charisma into each of these collaborations.  

Lew Tabackin [17th November]

Revered for his varying styles and accomplishments as both a saxophonist and a flautist, Lew Tabackin has amassed an insurmountable catalogue dating as far back as award-winning releases from the late-1960s.  Celebrated for his ability to showcase almost duelling characteristics when performing with each instrument - from the hard bop style of his saxophone in contrast with his sublime performances with the flute - Tabackin's proficiency and masterful playing has positioned him as a key contributor to projects by Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard and Carla White.  Tabackin's career has been further characterised by his versatility and ability to excel as a leader within intimate trio arrangements or as part of an expansive Big Band ensemble.  Along with pianist, and wife, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the two have frequently collaborated most successfully as part of the Toshiko Akiyoshi–Lew Tabackin Big Band and the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin.

Click here for more info on the EFG Jazz Festival and here for for more on the 606 Club.

'Same Moon in the Same World' by Ant Law & Alex Hitchcock

'Same Moon in the Same World' is the excellent new collaborative project from guitarist Ant Law and saxophonist Alex Hitchcock.

In the last few years, we've covered a wide array of projects that were birthed from the unprecedented circumstances of the global pandemic and while our respective worlds were subsequently turned upside down, it was a particularly difficult situation for the music industry to have to adapt to.  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 led to some wonderful and inspired ideas and projects and certainly not artists to allow themselves to be slowed down or hindered by something as mundane as a worldwide pandemic, the creation of 'Same Moon in the Same World' could very well have proven to be the perfect remedy to those potential feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

And therein lies the bittersweet poetry of the entire experience - feelings of isolation and uncertainty that we as a global community experienced together.  

A line from Haruki Murakami's 1999 novel, 'Sputnik Sweetheart', has been cited by the duo as the source of inspiration for the album's title and concept: "we're both looking at the same moon in the same world.  We're connected to reality by the same line".  It's beautifully put and all the more poignant when applied to recent circumstances.

With live performances shelved for a large portion of that period, Law and Hitchcock embraced the opportunity to connect with artists from varying parts of the world using online methods.  The accompanying video for the single 'Outliers' serves as a great example for how ideas and collaborations were executed and how Zoom-based interactions proved an invaluable resource in pulling together some incredible names including Joel Ross, Eric Harland, Jasper Høiby, Linda Oh, Kendrick Scott, Shai Maestro, Tim Garland, Ben Williams and Sun-Mi Hong. 

For both, Law and Hitchcock, the concept of collaboration has served as a prominent component to each of their respective catalogues.  With solo album releases for Whirlwind Recordings and Edition Records, the highly-decorated guitarist Ant Law has cultivated an incredible career in the years since his debut album release in 2013.  Outside of his three, tremendously acclaimed solo releases, the Grammy-nominated Law also serves as a member of Trio HLK (alongside Rich Kass and Rich Harrold) and as a frequent collaborator to Tim Garland's projects with further musical contributions to music by Cory Henry, Jason Rebello and Thomas Gould.

Similarly, Alex Hitchcock has continually proved himself as another boundlessly creative musician.  With solo releases through the Spanish label, Fresh Sound New Talent, the saxophonist has further diversified his sound alongside the jazz-funk collective, Resolution 88, as well as excelling as part of the abstract pairing with saxophonist Tom Barford for their AuB project.  

The Law and Hitchcock union for this album lends itself to a fascinating concept from two artists with progressive and dynamic takes on contemporary jazz and who thrive from continually striving to create something new.  

Over the course of the album's nine tracks, compositions are shared evenly between the two before a collective dothing of the cap to John Coltrane's 'After the Rain' which arrives in the form of the album's exquisite closing number.  Featuring varying arrangements of the aforementioned contributors, the album showcases a series of excellent highlights from the undeniable soulful groove of 'Haven't Meta Yet' featuring US drummer Eric Harland, to the sublime and somewhat ethereal 'Vivid' propelled by vibraphonist Joel Ross, the commanding bass of Linda May Han Oh and a lush and understated wordless vocal from Sun-Mi Hong.  A further highlight comes in the form of 'Chrysalis' with Ben Williams which is a captivating and elevating listen.

While quarantine life has led to some life-changing and desolate moments for many, there is still joy to be found in these little moments of creativity and art and 'Same Moon in the Same World' is a fantastic release worthy of each Law and Hitchcock's respective high-calibre catalogues.

The album is available to purchase from Bandcamp, 4th November.