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What it is, is funky! When the acid jazz scene ruled the world it looked for its inspiration in places that other jazz fans tended to overlook. The soul jazz of the late 60s and early 70s. The music of lounge bars and small clubs that fuelled the night life of black America. This compilation brings together ten examples of the sound and is a high quality listen from start to finish.

In the post-bebop world jazz was often condemned as an intellectual music aimed at the head not the feet, but a strain of the music was always for dancing, coming straight from the legacy of the big bands, and always tipping its head to what was going on in the R&B charts. The tracks included here all stay true to that legacy.

So whether we have Lonnie Liston Smith’s plea for 'Peace & Love' with its Bob Marley echoing horn lines, or Joe Bataan as band leader covering Isaac Hayes’ ‘Theme From the Men’, this is music allied with the contemporary sounds of the day. Oliver Nelson's synth heavy 'Skull Session' or his TV hit 'Theme From The Six Million Dollar Man' covered by Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes show this. At the heart of these recordings are the rhythms − and as such Bernard Purdie is the star either as a solo artist or simply as the man behind the kit with Harold Alexander.

This is Funky Jazz is an entry ticket to a party that everyone should want to be invited to.

France's near-revolution of May '68 was the zenith of that generation's struggle for a new kind of life. It kicked the country's small, but vibrant, counter-culture into overdrive, and birthed a local underground music scene. The bands it spawned made music with much less rock purity than groups from the UK and US. Their musical and cultural influences foregrounded improvisation, disjunction, and genre-blending: Soft Machine, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, free jazz, and radical politics. The introduction of the synthesiser in the early 1970s added fuel to the fire.

This collection of French underground music inaugurates a series to accompany "Synths, Sax & Situationists", the first English-language book to investigate this movement. It focuses on the music of the second wave of bands that emerged in 1972/3, which saw radicalised psychedelic and jazz influences merge with the future-music possibilities offered by new technology. The next volume will investigate the politically-charged bands that erupted in immediate aftermath of May '68.

Batov Records “Middle Eastern Grooves’ 7” series have become staples in the sets of DJs looking to broaden their sets to incorporate psychedelic and Middle Eastern sounds alongside the familiar funk, jazz, and soul catalogue. In the process, the series has enjoyed support across BBC 6 Radio Music, from Gilles Peterson to Gideon Coe, and made waves around the world, from Radio Nova and FIP in France, across the Atlantic to KEXP and Music Is My Sanctuary,
and laid the seeds for debut albums from series staples, Sababa 5 and Şatellites.

The compilation opens with the desert funk sound of "Badawee" by the iconic producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kutiman, followed by the instrumental edit of "Ya Raiyat" by Tel Aviv digging pioneers Radio Trip. Other highlights include the deranged & spooky synths of “The Egyptian” by Baharat, a prime example of the label's core sound, the
psychedelic Middle Eastern groove bomb "Deli Deli" by Şatellites, and “Nasnusa”, Sababa 5’s acclaimed collaboration with Japanese vocalist Yurika Hanashima.

Batov Records is thrilled to announce the release of ‘Middle Eastern Grooves’, a double gatefold LP compilation of standout tracks from the label’s highly successful series of 7” singles released
under the same name, hand selected by label co-founder DJ Kobayashi. Spanning from 2015 to the present day, the compilation features a mix of classic favourites, new releases, and neverbefore-heard gems from some of the most talented emerging artists.

The compilation also includes some exclusive tracks, released here for the first time. Following their recent collaborative EP, Sababa 5 back the newly discovered vocalist Shiran Tzfira with a simple but
effective combo of synths and percussion on the haunting “Manginat Mahepeha”.

Şatellites band leader Itamar Kluger contributes “Saved From The Jazz” from his new psychedelic funk project Eje Eje - watch out for the drums on this!

And finally, underground belly dancing princess turned Mediterranean psych chanteuse, Cherry Bandora, contributes the hypnotic “Esý”.
This first volume of highlights from the Middle Eastern Grooves 7" series offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of the label's sound and its place in the wider musical context. From surf rock
to Mediterranean psych, this collection showcases the diverse and captivating sounds of the Middle East and its influence on modern music. The compilation will be available on double gatefold vinyl and for digital download and streaming from 19th May, 2023.

When he isn’t managing Batov Records, DJ Kobayashi can be found digging for grooves and melodies that stand out from the norm, and sharing them at the likes of Brilliant Corners, Spiritland, and his biweekly show on Soho Radio. His vast collection spans funk and beats from across the globe, and reflects, of course, a particular
predilection for Middle Eastern grooves. His refined tastes have created a great demand for his selections, leading to him playing alongside the likes of Islandman, Balkan Beat Box, The Apples, and Baba Zula.

Vaya Con Dios was Belgium’s biggest export group, having sold more than 7 million albums. The band was founded in 1986 by Dirk Schoufs, Dani Klein and Willy Lambregt. They made it to the international charts with songs like “Just A Friend Of Mine”, “What’s a Woman?” and “Nah Neh Nah”. Vaya Con Dios stood out by the distinctive voice of its lead singer Dani Klein and their mixing of different music styles. The Ultimate Collection shows the diversity of the band as well as the different periods from their existence. In 2013 they started their farewell tour which ended on 25 October 2014 in Brussels.

Inspired by the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains north-west of Madrid, his home since August 2022, Milo Fitzpatrick presents "Sierra Tracks" the new album from his expansive, cinematic, chamber-jazz project Vega Trails. Having cut 2022"s beautifully resonant debut album "Tremors in the Static" as a duo, alongside saxophonist Jordan Smart (Mammal Hands and Sunda Arc), Milo now substantially expands upon that blueprint with his follow-up, "Sierra Tracks", which, as the title suggests, was conceived at his new home in central Spain and adds piano, vibraphone and strings to the mix. The beautiful Spanish countryside offered inspiration too.

‘Spellbinding’ – Wonderland ‘Excellent’ – Jamie Cullum After two EPs and an illuminating start to his career, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Venna releases his debut album, Malik. Not wanting to be rooted in jazz alone, Malik embodies the melting pot of sounds that reflects Venna’s environment. Bossa Nova influences can be heard across the album, as well as a deep love for Soul, R&B, and Rap. Venna’s broad range shines bright in his choice of collaborators, including vocalists Jorja Smith, Leon Thomas, MIKE, and Smino, as well as instrumentalists such as Yussef Dayes and Marco Bernardis. It’s a beautiful rarity when an artist sees themselves as a vessel of the music, and though Malik is a manifestation of his experiences and how he sees the world and years of craft, Venna wants Malik to be an invitation. An invitation to let go, be present and submit to sensory experiences.

The instrumental Bruges based trio VENTILATEUR released a promising self-titled EP in 2019. Slowly, plans were forged to record a first full album. The corona pandemic caused those plans to be pushed back, but it provided more time and focus for the music to grow. In April 2021, they finally "went into the studio" to record their debut album. The choice was made not to crawl into a classical studio, but to loft for a week in a country house in a small town in Zeeuws Vlaanderen: Hoofdplaat. It became the title of their first full album.
For this record the band went in search of the most unadulterated and pure form of themselves. The result is minimalistic and stylized compositions that radiate inner peace. Simple but catchy guitar lines, refined bass parts and purified drum grooves are the main ingredients of this cinematic and melancholic album.
Their infectious blend of jazz, post-rock and instrumental soul produces a unique and compelling sound reminiscent of groups like Khruangbin and closer to home Dans Dans.
The album is recorded and produced by Jeff Claeys, who has produced albums by Millionaire, The Van Jets, Isolde Lasoen and others, and who will also produce the new record by Zwangere Guy.

Propelled by the subtle African polyrhythms of Cameroonian drummer Garcia Etoa-Ottou and the hypnotic basslines of Charles Thuillier, pianist Noam Duboille takes you on a deeply emotional journey.

Original compositions created in their hometown of Amiens and recorded at the historic Studio Pigalle in Paris.

'Finnish trumpet star Verneri Pohjola has earned a formidable reputation as one of Europe’s most creative and original jazz innovators for his commanding sound, expressive tone and the rich intensity of his improvisations. Following a series of highly successful and praised albums he releases The Dead Don’t Dream in 2020, his fourth album for Edition Records. The new record incorporates influences from his last three albums into one definitive and beautifully crafted statement. The band, featuring TuomoPrättälä on piano, Antti Lötjönen on bass and Mika Kallio on drums, share a deep sense of collaboration and a common purpose. They are explorers of sound through Verneri’s captivating and vibrant music, balancing freedom and composition, expression and voice. It’s a defining work of art for Verneri, for Finnish culture and a statement of intent for an artist immersed in the world of European Jazz.'

Der finnische Jazztrompeter Verneri Pohjola bereitet sich darauf vor, im November 2023
sein mit Spannung erwartetes Album "Monkey Mind" zu veröffentlichen. Für dieses Projekt
hat er mit den renommierten Musikern Jasper Hoiby, Kit Downes und Olavi Louhivuori
zusammengearbeitet. Pohjola ist bekannt für seinen innovativen Stil und sein
dynamisches Spiel, bei dem er mühelos traditionelle und moderne Elemente zu einem
fesselnden und einzigartigen Sound verschmilzt.
Es wird erwartet, dass das kommende Album Verneri Pohjolas Position als führender
Künstler in der europäischen Jazzszene weiter festigen wird. Seine früheren Alben und
seine elektrisierenden Live-Auftritte haben breite Anerkennung gefunden und ihn als einen
der talentiertesten Jazzmusiker seiner Generation etabliert. Monkey Mind" wird mit
Spannung erwartet und verspricht eine wichtige Ergänzung des Katalogs dieses
europäischen Jazzvirtuosen zu werden.

For her new album - aptly entitled Veronica Swift - the versatile artist stretches her wings and opens up her wide range of influences to share who she truly is: a once-in-a-generation vocalist with unabashed confidence.

Veronica Swift flips the script on This Bitter Earth, the captivating follow-up to her 2019 Mack Avenue Records debut, Confessions. Whereas Confessions played out like pages from her personal diary, on the new album, the 27-year-old singer and master song interpreter looks outward while addressing social ills that plague the world today.
This Bitter Earth takes on the song-cycle characteristics of such classic LPs as Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love, and Mary J. Blige’s My Life. For her album, Swift tackles sexism “How Lovely to Be a Woman”, domestic abuse [“He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)”], racism/ xenophobia [“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught”] and the dangers of fake news [“The Sports Page”].
Accompanied by a team of kindred spirts that includes pianist Emmet Cohen, guitarist Armand Hirsch and flutist Aaron Johnson, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Bryan Carter, Swift curates material that covers multiple genres, including jazz, American musicals, vintage R&B and contemporary rock.

Vertaal first mixtape, Paradigm Shifting had a soft digital released on the 23rd April 2020, on Vertaal’s Empty Quarter Tribe imprint.

Self-produced, recorded and mixed in their own studio, the EP was nominated by Jazz Revelations for EP of 2020 and produced

four singles, ‘Polar’, ‘Duels, ‘Drop Off’ and ‘Dilla5’.


2020’s lock down led to a completely remixed and partial re-recording of the mixtape into a full, seamlessly mixed double LP with 6 additional

tracks and a further 6 musical ‘skits’ recorded separately by all the contributor musicians on the album during lock-down.
The limited edition numbered coloured vinyl 2LP will be released on March 26th 2021 supported by a fifth single, Alcazar b/w Husky on April 2nd

with promo video directed by Ben Sommers (Smoke No Pony Productions) whose previous credits include Mary Epworth, Archive, Young Knives and many others.



Vertaal have been an increasingly notable presence in the nu-jazz scene over the past 3 years.
Tipped as “ones to watch for 2019” by Jazz Re:freshed, Vertaal played an exclusive pick of sold out shows at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Soho and the Jazz Café.

They have also supported the likes of Mark Guiliana (David Bowie), & Pete Ray Biggin (Level 42) and finished off 2019 guesting for Richard Spaven at The Cambridge Jazz Festival.



Of the six tracks on the current mixtape, first single ‘Polar’ was played on the uber-cool Deeper Cuts show by DJ Karl Bos who described the track as an “incredibly produced record.”

Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) urged his listeners to “…hunt this down. They’re making incredible music!” after playing two tracks from Paradigm Shifting on his show,

and the mixtape has garnered similar excited responses from many DJs and reviewers (press list below).



Paradigm Shifting will be released on March 26th. The shrink-wrap will be stickered with full information and press quotes.

VERTAAL Ajit Gill & Theo Howarth sharing a love of groove & improvisation, forming

musical ideas traversing spiritual nu-jazz, Dilla-esque hip-hop, broken beat & neo-soul.

You need to go hunt this down. They’re making incredible music!” Tony Minvielle – Jazz FM

Vertaal’s debut double LP, “Paradigm Shifting” was released earlier this year to wide acclaim from the international jazz community and sold out on initial pressings.

Featuring 4 singles including the atmospheric “Alcazar” and live favourite “Drop Off’, the album was subsequently re-pressed on limited edition black vinyl which is also at the point of selling out.

2020’s lock down and subsequent cancellation of the band’s tour schedule led to extended periods recording in their home studio, on a barge on the River Stort near Stansted Airport.

The duo, comprising keyboard player and producer Theo Howarth and drummer Ajit Gill recorded “live”

versions of some of the Paradigm Shifting album tracks for various radio shows, joined online by guest bassist Severin Bruhin, guitarist

Luca Gianassi, conga player Simon Todd and saxophonist Loren Hignall.

Some of those recordings have now been made available on a special limited edition cassette EP featuring 4 tracks live studio tracks

– three previously unreleased versions from the album “Paradigm Shifting”, “Drop Off”, “Paradigm Shifting” and “Alcazar” and a completely new track “NDY”

Designed to look a box of Swan Vesta matches, the tape itself is pink with an onbody sticker of a collection of pink-headed matches.

Rush-released for Christmas, The Lockdown Tapes will make a nice stocking filler for jazz aficionados!

Vertaal have been an increasingly notable presence in the nu-jazz scene over the past 3 years.
Tipped as “ones to watch for 2019” by Jazz Re:freshed, in 2021 Vertaal have played an exclusive pick of sold out shows at prestigious venues such as

Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Soho and the Jazz Café, along with festival appearances at Standon Calling, High Tide Festival and Lost Village.

They have also supported the likes of Mark Guiliana (David Bowie), & Pete Ray Biggin (Level 42) Richard Spaven

and this year embarked on a tour of the UK’s record stores playing tracks from the album.

Der amerikanische Pianist Vijay Iyer präsentiert auf UnEasy ein kraftvolles neues Trio, in dem er von zwei
Schlüsselfiguren der kreativen Musik, Tyshawn Sorey und Linda May Han Oh, begleitet wird. ”Wir haben
eine gemeinsame Energie, die sehr ausgeprägt ist. Sie hat eine andere Art von Antrieb, einen anderen
Impuls und ein anderes Spektrum an Farben”. Das Repertoire auf UnEasy, das im Dezember 2019 im
Oktaven Audio Studio in Mount Vernon, New York, aufgenommen wurde, umfasst Eigenkompositionen
Iyers, die über einen Zeitraum von 20 Jahren geschrieben wurden, sowie Gerri Allens ”Drummer’s Song”
und eine radikale Neufassung von Cole Porters ”Night and Day”.

Pianist und Komponist Vijay Iyer legt nach Uneasy aus dem Jahr 2021 – dem ersten Album seines Trios mit Bassistin Linda May Han Oh und Schlagzeuger Tyshawn Sorey – mit Compassion ein weiteres Album mit diesen beiden begnadeten Musikern vor. Die New York Times hob die besonderen Qualitäten dieser Gruppe hervor und verwies auf die Fähigkeit des Trios, ”mit besonderer Elastizität und einer strahlenden Klarheit zu spielen... und gleichzeitig eine Art von sich windender innerer Spannung zu schüren. Entscheidend für dieses Gleichgewicht ist ihre fast telepathische Kommunikation untereinander”. Compassion, Iyers achte Veröffentlichung bei ECM, setzt sein Bestreben fort, neues Terrain zu erkunden und dabei gleichzeitig auf seine Vorbilder zu verweisen, von denen zwei schon lange mit dem Label verbunden sind. Das Album enthält eine lyrische Hommage an Chick Corea, dessen Interpretation von Stevie Wonders „Overjoyed” Vijay sich als Ausgangspunkt vorknöpft. Eine weitere Hommage ist ”Nonaah”, ein wirbelndes Stück des Avantgarde-Vorreiters Roscoe Mitchell, der ein wichtiger Mentor des Pianisten ist. Dann wären da natürlich noch Iyers eigene melodisch verführerische, rhythmisch belebende Kompositionen, die vom nachdenklichen Titelstück bis zu den mit markanten Passagen gespickten ”Tempest” und ”Ghostrumental” reichen. Das Album wurde von Manfred Eicher und Vijay Iyer produziert.

Denmarks leading outlet for fresh, forward forward-thinking jazz, April Records, proudly presents the debut release from award award-winning Danish vibraphonist Viktoria Sondergaard. With wide ranging influences from jazz, chamber music, cabaret, pop, rap and SukumaSukuma-inspired grooves, as well as the hymns and melodies of the Danish Hojskolesangbog traditional/folk songbook, the music is grounded in collective expression and responsibility. The album s bold, boundary boundary-pushing sound was built on a strong sense of musical community, as well as Sondergaard s desire to integrate spoken word and lyrics into her practice to convey her thoughts and feelings on the world around her on a deeper, more personal level. Composing with her four collaborators in mind, Viktoria imagined her quintet playing each note as she composed, making the music inseparable from their presence. The album integrates spoken word, rap, singing, screaming, and whispering - a shared sonic tapestry that expresses joy, wonder, questioning and celebration. It s a band built on inspiration, joy, dreams and love, Viktoria says. For me, one of the most beautiful things in art is that we have a platform to say something about the society and world around us. This album is an attempt to do just this. this." Balancing warmth and intimacy with tension and exploration, the music weaves rich instrumental textures and spacious soundscapes with intricate vocal arrangements - intertwining voices that move between comforting folk folk-like harmonies and angular, avant avant-garde expression. The quartet s deep listening and intuitive interplay are evident throughout, shifting fluidly from open, exploratory passages to tightly locked grooves. The result is a sound that feels both grounded and searching: a sonic conversation inviting the listener into a space of vulnerability, curiosity, and connection. With a sparkling tone, emotive improvisation and refined control over her instrument Viktoria is recognised as a fearless explorer and bold musical voice. A recipient of the Aarhus Jazz Talent Prize, Tivoli Jazz Prize and the 2025 Carl Prize Honorary Award presented by Marilyn Mazur, she balances adventurous writing and collective invention with melodic immediacy and emotional power.

Viktoria Tolstoy, celebrated for her expressive voice, emotional storytelling and cross-genre artistry, seamlessly blends jazz, pop and original songs.
Her standout tracks ‘Autumn Breeze’ (4.6M streams) and ‘Calling You’ (6.5M streams) have reached millions of listeners worldwide.
Collaborations with top Scandinavian and European jazz artists, including Nils Landgren and Esbjörn Svensson, have positioned Viktoria as one of the leading female voices in European jazz.
Jacob Karlzon, renowned Swedish pianist and composer, is recognized for his virtuosic technique, cinematic soundscapes and inventive harmonic language.
Their collaboration began in the mid-1990s, forming one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in Scandinavian jazz.
Their music bridges Nordic lyricism and modern jazz sophistication, appealing to both jazz and a wider crossover audience. A trusted name on the European scene, they continue to tour internationally and attract strong streaming and media presence.
Their new duo album reflects and renews that bond - an intimate conversation shaped by time, friendship, and change. The world has shifted since their last recording and so have they. Yet their shared musical language endures - evolving, deepening, and gathering new shades of emotion. There is a rare ease between them: two Artists who no longer need to explain, only to listen and respond.
The result is music that feels unforced, sincere and alive - born of trust and the courage to explore the unknown. In the end, it’s the simple beauty of reunion: two musicians meeting again, with everything they’ve lived and everything still to discover

Vilhelm Bromander is a much in demand bass player with a unique voice as a musician and composer. The debut album of his Unfolding Orchestra features a 13-piece ensemble, performing three extended, stellar compositions by Bromander. This is a important artistic statement in the history of Swedish free jazz, performed by some of the most urgent voices from the current scene of jazz- and improvised music, together with the otherworldly voice of dhrupad singer Marianne Svašek.

Now available as limited LP edition on dark green vinyl.

Staying true to who they are this dozen strong band have created an ensemble body of work ranging from relentless heavy Grime to Latin House to Jazz….that might sound like it shouldn’t work…it weirdly does…and does very well!

This album is almost nothing but singles, each track standing strong on its own making for a force of musical nature.

Mit dem Original-Soundtrack von A Charlie Brown Christmas aus dem Jahr 1965 kommt Weihnachtsstimmung auf. Als eines der beliebtesten und ikonischsten Weihnachtsalben aller Zeiten führt dieser BestsellerKlassiker Jahr für Jahr Generationen von Kindern in die Freuden des Jazz ein, mit Songs wie ”Christmas Time Is Here” und dem sofort erkennbaren ”Linus and Lucy”.

Das für den Grammy® nominierte Album ist nach wie vor der zweitbestverkaufte Jazz-Titel der Geschichte und wartet auf die Zertifizierung für 5-faches Platin. Vielleicht noch beeindruckender ist, dass A Charlie Brown Christmas im Jahr 2021 auf Platz 6 der Billboard Charts landete, was für die Zeitlosigkeit für dieses Album spricht.

Der Pianist Vince Guaraldi und der brasilianische Gitarrist Bola Sete begegneten sich zum ersten Mal
während eines Aufenthalts im Club Trois Couleurs in San Francisco – eine schicksalhafte Begegnung, die
eine fruchtbare kreative Partnerschaft begründete, die schließlich West Coast Jazz mit Bossa Nova und
afro-brasilianischen Rhythmen verbindet.
Das 1964 aufgenommene Album „From All Sides“ war die zweite Zusammenarbeit des Duos (insgesamt
gab es drei) und gilt als eines ihrer entspanntesten und fröhlichsten Werke. Das Album ist mühelos und
eskapistisch und gleitet von einer federleichten Interpretation von „The Girl from Ipanema“ zum temperamentvollen Galopp von „Ballad of Poncho Villa“.
Während Guaraldi vor allem für seine zeitlosen Peanuts-Soundtracks gefeiert wird, werden langjährige Hörer
hier melodische Fäden erkennen, die später in diesem beliebten Universum wieder auftauchten. Adaptionen
des wehmütigen „Menino Pequeno da Bateria“ (später überarbeitet als „Little Drummer Boy“) und des
unbeschwerten „Choro“ erschienen später jeweils auf „A Charlie Brown Christmas“ (1965) und „He’s Your
Dog, Charlie Brown“ (1968).
Diese Neuauflage des Albums erscheint als Teil der Original Jazz Classics Series auf 180-Gramm-Vinyl,
gepresst bei RTI, mit vollständig analogem Mastering von den Originalbändern bei Cohearent Audio und
einer Tip-On-Hülle, die das Original-Artwork originalgetreu nachbildet.

Diese luxuriöse 3-LP erweitert das bahnbrechende Werk des Vince Guaraldi Trios, zu dem auch der Grammy®-gekrönte Hit ”Cast Your Fate to the Wind” gehört, erweitert um 16 Bonustracks, darunter
alternative Takes und bisher unveröffentlichte Musik und neue Linernotes.
Die Aufnahmen wurden von Plangent Processes übertragen und von Paul Blakemore neu gemastert. Die Sammlung enthält außerdem
neue, ausführliche Liner Notes des Jazz-Autors Andrew Gilbert (San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, KQED Arts).

Auch ohne sein Lied ”Cast Your Fate to the Wind”, ein echter und allzu seltener Instrumentalhit, war Guaraldis Album ”Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus” von 1962 ein Meilenstein, der ein Trio mit einem
einzigartig verführerischen Sound vorstellte. Die Kombination aus geschliffener Lyrik, rhythmischer Subtilität und exquisiter dynamischer Kalibrierung zeichnete es aus, aber die Wirkung der Gruppe ergab sich auch aus ihrem Repertoire.

Guaraldi war nicht der erste amerikanische Jazzkünstler, der sich mit dem brasilianischen Liedgut auseinandersetzte.
Aber Jazz Impressions war ein früher Vorbote der allgegenwärtigen, beispiellosen und dauerhaften Übernahme des Bossa Nova (was auf Portugiesisch ”neue Sache” oder ”neue Welle” bedeutet) durch die Jazzszene.

Those djs who are always looking for tracks no one else is playing are going to be superhappy with this 45.
100% dance floor dynamite!
It does not get any better than this.

OLYMPIANS - das neue Album des
Grammy-Preisträgers hebt die neun Originalkompositionen
hervor, die Mendoza während seiner 27-jährigen
Zusammenarbeit mit dem Metropole Orchester
geschrieben hat. Einen besonderen Gastauftritt hat
Dianne Reeves, die Mendozas lebhaften und brasilianisch
angehauchten Song Esperanto mit einem Songtext von
Kurt Elling singt, sowie House of Reflections, interpretiert
von Cecile Mclorin-Salvant, mit einem Songtext der
legendären britischen Singer/Songwriterin Norma
Winstone. Der Tenorsaxophonist Chris Potter ist auf einer
energiegeladenen Version von Barcelona zu hören. Die
Aufnahme enthält außerdem ein beeindruckendes Solo
des Saxophonisten David Binney sowie weitere großartige
Momente von Weather Report-Alumnus Alex Acuña am
Schlagzeug. Die Premiere von Mendozas Bright Lights
and Jubiliations wurde 2021 live in Amsterdam
aufgenommen, dem ersten Auftritt Mendozas in
Amsterdam seit der Pandemie.

Multiple Grammy winner Composer, Arranger Conductor Vincent Mendoza has 35 Grammy Nominations across his storied career, including his sixth Grammy for his last Album Freedom Over Everything. For his forthcoming offering Olympians Mendoza is joined by Metropole Orkest, which he has led as chief conductor for the past six years. It is a bright, zingy and as the title suggests, triumphant record to add to Mendoza’s outstanding career.
Mendoza has written arrangements for a wide variety of pop and jazz artists
From Joni Mitchell, Sting, Melody Gardot, Elvis Costello and Bjork to Joe Zawinul, John Scofield and Randy Brecker.

Auf der Bühne ist das Trio ständig in Bewegung und explodiert oft vor purer Energieɍ Im Studio haben Meissner und seine Mitmusiker versuchtɎ MelodieɎ Textur und Stimmung zu entschärfenɍ Jede Note ist eine ErkundungɎ jedes Stück eine Einladung zu einem fein abgeɞ stimmtenɎ spielerischen und doch tiefgründigen Wechselspielɍ Die Ț hochkonzentrierten Tracks sind immer emotional involviert und nicht distanziertɎ und jeder auf eine subtil andere Weiseɍ

With ‘Wille’, their second album, the Vincent Meissner
Trio show that young, complex, crisp piano trio jazz
does not have to come from the USA, England or
Scandinavia, like many famous current
representatives.

Totally contemporary music with heart and brain,
whether in the form of original compositions or reconstructions of Whitney Houston, Louis Cole or The
Beatles.

What the Vincent Meissner Trio are able to do above
all is to convince with its fundamental honesty and
authenticity. Yes, the trio is being proactive in
determining how it wants to present its art, and also its
members as individuals. “It’s nice to have people
listening to us,” says Vincent Meissner, with the live
experiences of the last few months very much in mind.
He understands his pieces as a framework to be filled,
as a space to be walked through as a group together.
It is all about conveying impressions of the present
beyond words, about evoking emotional experiences
which go beyond the tangible moment in a way that is
completely natural. ‘Wille’ is an important step forward
for the Vincent Meissner Trio, and it will already make
listeners want more. This band are well on their way

 Once again, accordionist Vincent Peirani
reshuffles the cards. As a good jazz musician, he
likes to venture into unexplored territories. As a
good music fan and a very good musician in
general, he is curious, enthusiastic, and eager to
make new discoveries and find new things to listen
to or play. ‘Jokers’, his first album in trio, goes
even further, and elsewhere.
 Vincent chose to turn to the jazz trio for the first
time, a formula with such a long history that it is
almost sacred, and certainly intimidating. But
typically, he used that framework only to escape
from it. His two accomplices, Federico Casagrande
on guitar and Ziv Ravitz on drums and keyboards,
both have a wealth of experience and skills, an
interest in rock and electronic music, and a taste
for musical hybridity.
 Now available on vinyl with digital download code.