Nubya Garcia is one of the leading lights of the current London jazz scene, and her debut album, SOURCE, is an impressive statement of her talents as a saxophonist, composer and bandleader. The album is full of vibrant, inventive, and… Read More »Nubya Garcia – ‘SOURCE’ (2020) review
Herbie Hancock’s Thrust album is a classic example of jazz-funk fusion from the mid-1970s. Hancock had already made a name for himself as a jazz pianist but on this album, he combined jazz, funk, and elements of electronic music to… Read More »Herbie Hancock – ‘Thrust’ (1974) review
Miles Davis’ groundbreaking 1960 album Sketches of Spain is considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time – a beautiful fusion of jazz and classical Spanish music. The album features some of Davis’ most iconic work, including the… Read More »Miles Davis – ‘Sketches of Spain’ (1960) review
Kamasi Washington’s ‘The Epic’ is a masterwork of modern jazz, full of creative and ambitious compositions. The album is a three-disc set, each of them focusing on a different aspect of his sound. Disc one, ‘The Planets’, is a suite… Read More »Kamasi Washington – ‘The Epic’ (2015) review
Concierto is the first solo album from jazz guitarist Jim Hall, released in 1975. It’s a classic of modern jazz, featuring Hall’s signature blend of bebop, blues, and Latin music. The record has a warm, intimate feel that allows Hall’s… Read More »Jim Hall – ‘Concierto’ (1975) review
Eric Dolphy’s Out To Lunch is a classic of avant-garde jazz, recorded in 1964 and hailed as an instant masterpiece. It’s a wild, uncompromising album, full of dissonance and unexpected turns, and it sounds as fresh today as it did… Read More »Eric Dolphy – ‘Out to Lunch’ (1964) review
This 1964 collaboration between Stan Getz and João Gilberto is a classic of bossa nova – for many the album that defines the genre. It also happens to be one of the best-selling of jazz albums in general. Getz’s mellow… Read More »Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto – ‘Getz/Gilberto’ (1964) review
Freddie Hubbard’s 1970 classic Red Clay is a timeless jazz-funk classic and an essential cornerstone of jazz fusion. Hubbard’s trumpet playing is masterful and he is backed by a stellar cast of musicians including Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Joe… Read More »Freddie Hubbard – ‘Red Clay’ (1970) review
There’s a reason why John Coltrane’s 1960 album My Favorite Things is considered a classic. It’s a masterpiece of jazz composition and improvisation, and its influence on the genre is still felt today. The album features Coltrane’s classic quartet, with… Read More »John Coltrane – ‘My Favorite Things’ (1961) review
The great Dizzy Gillespie always had a knack for finding the right musicians to help him bring out the best in his music, and his 1957 album, Sonny Side Up, is a case in point. On this album, Gillespie is… Read More »Dizzy Gillespie – ‘Sonny Side Up’ (1959) review