Mike Stern

Listening to Big Neighbourhood again. What a fabulous album. I noticed a reviewer in Jazzwise described it as being a rock album in what could be interpreted as a derogatory tone. Well of course it is and it's a jazz album. Fluid solos over great tunes.

Ambrose Akinmusire at Ronnies

Why does public transport on Sundays suck? There is probably a good economic reason for it. Which meant that seeing this new jazz star was at a premium price for me. Well worth it though. Lower energy than the Christian Scott gig but loads of great soulful trumpet playing. Ambrose uses half valve settings a lot to bend notes. It really works due to his control and knowing where he is going with it. It is very much a part of his style of playing. Love his latest album - The Imagined Saviour as well as his previous album. Good interview with him in Jazzwise where he professes not to being a Christian but still having "spiritual" tendencies.

Mehliana - Taming The Dragon

Just bought this album and love it. Very reminiscent of prog rock. For mainstream fans this might not be the right choice of listening. I found it needs to be listened to on a decent system to get good clarity. On a cheap system it sounds scratchy and noisy. Mark Gulina is a fantastic drummer and really gives a driving pulse to the soarding organ. It's full on but that can be good. An album to imerse yourself into.

Christian Scott at Ronnies

Saw Christian Scott in the London Jazz Festival at Ronnies last week. Superb gig. Tons of energy and passion although I could have done with more trumpet  playing and a little less lip flap. This guy and his band really are at the top of the Jazz-rock game at the moment.

Roller Trio

Just been listening to Roller Trio. Had not heard of them before but they were nominated for the Mercury Jazz prize in 2012. Great stuff. Have just ordered their CD. How do 3 people make so much sound?

Marius Neset - Golden Xplosion

Saw Marius Neset at the Brighton Jazz Club on Friday. One of the best gigs I have ever been to. Downloaded his last album Golden Xplosion a few months ago but have been listening to it more frequently recently. It is rather dense and takes time to accumulate the complexities of his playing. However to see him live makes everything clear. He simply has phenominal technique. Think of Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and Colin Stetson and roll them into a 25 year old Norwegian and you have Neset. His compositions, all of which are really strong, reflect the influence of Django Bates who he has studied and played with. In fact Django plays keys and tenor horn on the albume although Ivo Neame played in Brighton. Another member of the band who was astounding was the drummer Anton Eger, along with Jasper Hoiby and Neame also plays with Phronesis. Expect to hear much more of this prodegy in the future. Interesting to note that GX is recorded on Edition Records which is, for my money, the best contemporary jazz label in the country.

Elephant9 - Walk The Nile

This is a strong funky organ trio bordering on punk jazz. The scandinavians do it again. Superb

Gilli's Got Tallent

I'm just an old hippy that likes more than the three minute pop song so it was with a certain degree of trepidation and scepticism that I put on an album performed and produced by one of the BJMC members. Gilli Bloodaxe, known to frequent the Wednesday free improvisation sessions at The Open House, has produced and album called This Is Bon Bon. And it does have a hippy vibe. It is 22 short poems with accompanied by some excellent improvisation and electronic effects. Every tack is different and I have to admit to laughing out loud and thoroughly enjoying it.

Ho would I describe it? Quirky, imaginative, warm, very funny, a recording that would give Ivor Cutler some very serious competition, and not just because there is no harmonium! Gilli narrates the poems and plays drums. The fablous Geoff Hearn plays saxes, Monty Oxymoron - keys and the strangely named Adrian Newton - electronics. Check this album out - www.myspace.com/gillibloodaxe or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003O0WEL6/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1284710410&sr=8-1-catcorr but it is cheaper to buy the album directly from Gilli. Recommended track, The Curve of Your Neck.

Martin Drew

Jazzwise this month reports the death, following a heart attack, of the great drummer Martin Drew. Martin was in his 60's and played with Oscar Peterson for 30 years and Ronnie Scott for 20. I saw Martin at the BJC on numerous occasions. His hard bop driving wall of sound had a fantastic swing to it. He led his own band of stellar players, The New jazz Couriers, which included the fantastic Mornington Lockett, Steve Melling, Nigel Hitchcock, Jim Hart, and Andy Cleyndert. I also saw him with Ben Clatworthy. Martin was pretty much losing his hearing, which must be an occupational hazard for a professional drummer. Several of his albums can be downloaded from www.emusic.com