A catch-all thread for the current jazz scene in London, including Shabaka Hutchings, Yazz Ahmed, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Camilla George, Theon Cross, Zara McFarlane, Daniel Casimir, SEED Ensemble,

Ill Considered is on my to-listen list, sounds awesome Nabozo. I liked most of Cross's new album this year too

I enjoy Deciphering the Message a lot, but McCraven needs to release a proper new album so we can have an overdue dedicated thread and stop discussing him in the London jazz thread lol

the Casimir album is really nice, lands right in the middle between the Boyd and Garcia albums to my ears

Ilxor Daniel RF said that the first xpost Blue Note Re: Imagined sounded like a wine bar, but a good one, and the rearrangements were creative enough to get me wondering about certain Blue Note stalwarts I'd taken as a local jazz station given, without going further into their catalogs---well played, Blue Note. So here's the follow-up on CD and 2-LP, shipping Aug. 12:

Blue Npte Re:Imagined II

Blue Note Re:imagined returns in 2022 with a new 16-track compilation featuring fresh takes on music from the illustrious Blue Note vaults recorded by a heavyweight line-up of the UK jazz, soul and R&B scene’s most hotly-tipped rising stars. Arriving off the back of the widespread international success of the first volume, which topped jazz charts around the globe in 2020, Blue Note Re:imagined II once again infuses the spirit of the new UK jazz generation into the legendary label’s iconic catalog, balancing the genre’s tradition with its future and reflecting the melting pot of talent and diversity within the current scene. The second volume presents covers of classic Blue Note tracks by Donald Byrd, Grant Green, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Bobbi Humphrey, Marlena Shaw, Chico Hamilton, Chick Corea, Joe Lovano, Cassandra Wilson, and Norah Jones by a rollcall of acclaimed talent including Yazz Ahmed, Conor Albert, Parthenope, Swindle, Nubiyan Twist, Ego Ella May, Oscar Jerome, Daniel Casimir, Theon Cross, Maya Delilah, Kay Young, Venna & Marco, Reuben James, Binker Golding, Cherise, and Franc Moody.

Tracklist:

1. Yazz Ahmed - It
2. Conor Albert - You Make Me Feel So Good
3. Parthenope - Don’t Know Why
4. Swindle - Miss Kane
5. Nubiyan Twist - Through The Noise (Chant No.2)
6. Ego Ella May - Morning Side Of Love
7. Oscar Jerome - Green With Envy
8. Daniel Casimir ft. Rita Moran - Lost
9. Theon Cross - Epistrophy
10. Maya Delilah - Harvest Moon
11. Kay Young - Feel Like Making Love
12. Venna & Marco - Where Are We Going
13. Reuben James - Infant Eyes
14. Binker Golding - Fort Worth
15. Cherise - Sunrise
16. Franc Moody - Cristo Redentor
Ego Ella May “The Morning Side of Love” / Theon Cross “Epistrophy” – 7” Vinyl Single

Kay Young “Feel Like Making Love” / Venna & Marco Bernardis “Where Are We Going?” – 7” Vinyl Single

The Comet Is Coming are touring the US in October. I saw them a couple of years ago — if they come to your town, GO.

Will do!

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1418/3572/products/Blue_Note_Cover-1-_1.png?v=1654630134

more info: https://store.bluenote.com/collections/new-releases/products/blue-note-re-imagined-ii

two Shabaka threads, so let’s do an xpost:

a concert this coming Tuesday that might be of interest to Londoners, with sets from three Native Rebel artists, Shabaka Hutchings’ record label:

https://earthackney.co.uk/events/native-rebel-recordings-the-brother-moves-on-chelsea-carmichael-con-kwake-15-11-2022/

mentioning it because I saw The Brother Moves On from Johannesburg in Amsterdam last night and they were awesome. I only knew their “You Think You Know Me” from last year because it was nominated in Tom Ewing’s EOY Twitter poll. great track, but not very representative (and they didn’t play it).

they performed as a five-piece band (guitar, bass, drums and two saxophonists/flutists) plus wonderful frontman/vocalist Siyabonga Mthembu.
there’s a lot of jazz in what they do, but (to my ears at least) it’s local SA genres at the heart of it all. their Wikipedia entry mentions “maskandi rock” (and “ninja gospel” fwiw).

listening to their recent album right now, and I’m enjoying it, but it can’t hold a candle to the live performance. go see them live if you can.

I guess I might add that they somehow manage to be intense and fun at the same time

btw, I didn’t realize just how recent that album is, it came out two weeks ago. having listened to their previous one, Tolika Mtoliki from last year (not on Native Rebel), yesterday as well, I feel that one might actually be better.

winter jazzfest in nyc has a jamie branch memorial show in the works