Nine albums in and Adam Scrimshire has made a record that surely deserves to be in all the ‘Best Of’ lists of 2026. The multi-instrumentalist, producer and label head has drawn on the spiritual-soul-jazz-folk of 60s and 70s artists such as Terry Callier, Pentangle and Charles Stepney, merging it with a widescreen cinematic vision worthy of David Axelrod, invited a swathe of wonderful guests and just opened his heart. Joyful, reflective and with a much needed sense of communion, this is a glorious record for these fractured times. Read / Listen.
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Ancient Infinity Orchestra 'It's Always About Love' (Gondwana Records) - a review
Double-bassist and composer Ozzy Moysey has brought together a 15-strong orchestral jazz band from the ever rich scene in Leeds and created an album that leaves one with a sense of peace, joy and community. Spiritual jazz at its core but intertwined with folk and classical elements, ‘It’s Always About Love’ is a glorious and natural progression from their debut record for the excellent Gondwana Records label. I usually like it more apocalyptic but I’ve been completely seduced by this album’s uplifting feeling of love and freedom. Read / Listen.
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Singular Visions - a random rundown of recent single releases (October 2024)
We don’t really cover single releases (apart from the occasional premiere) so we thought we would start a new section on the blog where we shout about some random new singles we have been sent or discovered ourselves in some dusty corner. All kinds of music that we may not have time to cover as albums or one time one-offs. Enjoy! Tell your friends! This episode includes Nicola Cruz, Voodoo Drummer, Romperayo, Cyril Cyril, Chizawa Q & more...
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Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz 'Moacir De Todos Os Santos' (Lusofonia Record Club) - a review
Before his sad death in late 2021, the Bahian born composer, arranger, percussionist, musician, cultural educator and teacher Letieres Leite conceived of and led the 22 piece Orkestra Rumpilezz through this majestic reinterpretation of Moacir Santos’ 1965 classic of big band Brazilian jazz - “Coisas”. Leite never got to witness the release but we can and it is an astonishingly well produced, performed and artistically inspired record. See for yourself here. Read / Listen
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Meiko Kaji 'Hajiki Uta' (WEWANTSOUNDS) - a review
The cult Japanese exploitation actress Meiko Kaji never planned to be a singer but with a push from her film studio she discovered a natural talent. 'Hajiki Uta' is the first of five albums that she made for Teichiku in the early 70s and is being comprehensively reissued by the always excellent WEWANTSOUNDS label. The record is a stunning collection of torch ballads and funky-orchestral-psyche grooves propelled by the slasher queen’s achingly melancholic voice; Tarantino created ‘Kill Bill’ around Meiko’s character in ‘Lady Snowblood’ and this album also contains ‘Urami Bush’ from Tarantino’s soundtrack. Read / Listen
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