SOUL UNLIMITED Radioshow 571

Two hours with lots of new albums, all more or less dealing with different musical forms of jazz. A jazz kaleidoscope awaits you. Jose James kicks things off with his album „Merry Christmas From Jose James“. I always find Jose James‘ classic jazz albums wonderful, and this album is no exception. He is simply a gifted jazz crooner. Then we continue with Nathan Francis, an American jazz bassist and composer who has recorded his new album „The House That Bobby Built“ with Finnish musicians. The title track is one of the album’s highlights, a tribute to the vibraphonist and marimba player Bobby Hutcherson. The song features an exquisite marimba solo by the immensely talented Mikko Antila. With Eric Truffaz, we then change the musical timbre to cinematic jazz. On his new album „Clap!“, the French trumpeter continues his successful series of jazz versions of classic film soundtracks. I also find this second album in this series very successful. The second collaboration between Roberto Di Gioia’s band Web Web and Max Herre is also quite exciting. The album „Web Max II“ is almost even better and musically more varied than the first one. An absolute recommendation! Another musical change of mood brings us to Daniel Villarreal and his new album „Lados B“. The songs on the new album were created during a session in October 2020, just like the songs from the previous album „Panama 77“ from 2022. The session with Daniel Villarreal on drums, Jeff Parker on guitar and Ann Butters on bass had tremendous musical potential, which is now fortunately being shared with a wider audience. It’s a record that I’m currently listening to very often and with pleasure, it’s simply great! Then we come to Yussef Dayes, another drummer who has already caused quite a stir in London’s young jazz scene. Back in 2016, he teamed up with Kamaal Williams to form „Yussef Kamaal“ and recorded the album „Black Focus“, which enjoys cult status in the scene (see SOUL UNLIMITED Radioshow 366 from 15.01.2017). He was also involved in Tom Misch’s album „What Kinda Music“, which was released on Blue Note Records in 2020. Yussef Dayes has now released his first solo album „Black Classical Music“. A mammoth work with an indescribable musical diversity. Simply great and the album of the week! Saxophonist Joshua Moshe then follows with his new album „Inner Search“. Musically, the spectrum here ranges from late modal jazz and modern jazz to more electronic jazz sounds. This is also a good transition to the new album „Duktus“ by the Stance Brothers. Behind it is one musician in particular, namely the exceptional Finnish drummer Teddy Rok aka Teppo Mäkynnen, who not only plays his classical instrument here, but also vibraphone, synthies and occasionally guitar. An unusual and very interesting album with idiosyncratic sounds and irresistible drum beats. The new album „Palms“ by Robohands takes things in a slightly different direction. The musician and producer Andy Baxter dedicates his new Robohands album to the harp, which is played on the album by Rachel Horton. Reminiscences of legendary musicians such as Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane are almost inevitable. A successful and very beautiful album. Finally, we come to the new album by the great Hania Rani. On „Ghosts“ she once again presents us with her classic sound as we already know it from her debut album „Esja“. Music that is simply beautiful. Have fun listening to it!