Author: sebalewisac4b643335

Gogo Penguin, the absolutely brilliant fusion-jazz trio from Manchester, released their new album Necessary Fictions a few months ago, and it’s a great listen. There are some excellent tracks on it, including contributions by Daudi Matsiko and violinist Rakhi Singh. They toured the album worldwide, and I was lucky enough to see them front row at London’s Barbican Centre. Honestly, a spectactular gig. They played some of my favourites — Smarra and Break probably at the top of the list — along with several tracks from the new album. Glad to have a signed copy of the record.

The great Hania Rani, one of my favourite contemporary composers by far, released her new album Non Fiction – Piano Concerto in Four Movements last week. An important departure from what she’s been composing in the last few years (notably Ghosts and Home), though not a radical one — some clear reminiscences of Inner Symphonies (with Dobrawa Czocher) but more immersive and definitely darker. Very few synths, except in the last movement. A fascinating composition: combining dark and intense moments with ESJA-type melancholic melodies. I had the chance to see her debut the album at Rough Trade East, London, in an intimate gig. Got my copy of the album signed. Thanks!

Can you remember the last time you found an album you just couldn’t stop playing? For me that’s Highlines (2020), by the French trio Foehn Jazz. I’ve had it on repeat for the past four months and still haven’t tired of it. It’s a very elegant mix of melodies, instrumentation, and rhythm. It’s definitely much better than Elements, their latest release (2023), and even slightly better than Magnésie (2017), which is itself a terrific album. Check it out! If you’re curious where to begin, start with Camera Obscure (my favourite by far), La Barma, and Old Ocean.

Boom! What a brilliant piece, Bloom, by Bill Laurance with the Untold Orchestra. It came out about a year ago, but I’ve listened it so many times that I can’t help but write a quick ‘review’. It’s simply amazing–so much going on. The composition is full of details; you get strings and piano blending together in a really smooth yet lively way. Great musical taste. Please check it out.

Not exactly a new release (it came out in 2023), but I couldn’t resist posting about Fragmente, the beautiful album by Berlin-based composer Felix Rösch. There’s a lot going on here—complex, beautifully melancholic, great taste. A few standout tracks: In Memory of a Honey Bee (I’d love to know the story behind that one), Driven (arguably the most acclaimed), and Eulogy for Peace (my personal favourite). Hoping this one gets a vinyl release soon.

Daniel Herskedal, the brilliant Norwegian brass and tuba player, has released his latest album, Movements of Air. Great news that after a few beautiful—though at times overly calm—solo projects, his longtime collaborators Eyolf Dale and Helge Norbakken are back. While not as sublime as Harbour (still my favourite by far), the album combines some of that style with the remarkably well-executed Arctic and polar textures of Call of Winter I and Call of Winter II.