Mar 8 2015
Recommended: Grace Moon & the Jaguar – “Kananga”
Kananga is a massively captivating vocal session. The debut from Grace Moon & the Jaguar is equal parts modern jazz and updated Motown R&B, and delivered with the heartstrings pull of an old-school movie soundtrack. The music sounds Big even when expressing the gentlest melodic threads.
At its core, the band is a trio of Grace Moon‘s piano & vocals, the guitar of JB Pilon (aka The Jaguar) and the drums of Paul Winter-Hart. However, they are augmented by the the brass section of Bruce Stevens & his Mongrel Horns, the strings of Ian Post & his Homeric String Orchestra, and a variety of extra percussion.
The crowded stage doesn’t weigh the music down, nor does it get too fussy and overcomplicated. Soaring melodies are lifted up by harmonies as thick as sunbeams and just as warm and light. The accompaniment snaps into place where needed with a clockwork precision. The percussion element stays focused with an eye trained on the road ahead. The music possesses a tunefulness bordering on addictive.
A very fun and thrilling debut.
Your album personnel: Grace Moon (piano, vocals), JB Pilon aka The Jaguar (guitar, bass), Paul Winter-Hart (drums), Bruce Stevens (tuba), Yusuf Oliver Narçin (bass trombone), Sion Favell Jones, Ieuan Williams (trombones), Chris McKay (French horn), Finlay Bain (French horn, Wagner tuba), Mark Ashley (trumpet), Jessica Lauren (organ), Rob Sell (flute), Anthony Kerr (vibraphone), Joe Glossop (piano), Jack Mango (bouzouki) and Ian Post & his Homeric String Orchestra.
This album is Self-Produced.
Jazz from the London scene.
Available at: Bandcamp – eMusic – Amazon
Mar 9 2015
This Is Jazz Today: Marike van Dijk, Sebastian Sternal, Anouar Brahem & more!
And it’s a good thing that I’m getting you caught up, too, because there were some fantastic albums to see the light of day the week-ending February 24th. And several of them, as you’ll notice from the additional links, have received stand-alone recommendations on this site quite recently. So there’s even more reading & listening material out there if you want it… just follow the link.
Now, with all that said, let’s begin…
*** Pick of the Week ***
Marike van Dijk – The Stereography Project
Pick of the Week
Released on BJU Records. Visit the artist site.
More listening | Buy: Bandcamp | eMusic | Amazon
*****
*** This week’s featured albums ***
Sebastian Sternal – Sternal Symphonic Society Vol.2 (Traumton)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
*****
Anouar Brahem – Souvenance (ECM Records)
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon
Read more about this album on Bird is the Worm (LINK).
*****
ADHD – ADHD5 (Contemplate Music)
Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
Read more about this album on Bird is the Worm (LINK).
*****
Jacky Terrasson – Take This (Impulse)
Artist site | Buy: Amazon
*****
Jeremy Siskind – Housewarming (BJU Records)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
*****
Grace Moon & the Jaguar – Kananga (Self-Produced)
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – eMusic – Amazon
Read more about this album on Bird is the Worm (LINK).
*****
Luiz Moretto Quintet – Vampyroteuthis Infernalis (Slam Productions)
Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
*****
Matthew Stevens – Woodwork (Whirlwind)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic
*****
Wolff & Clark – Wolff & Clark Expedition 2 (Random Act Records)
Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
*****
Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet – Desire (Challenge)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
*****
Blaubart – Blaubart (Unit Records)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
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Lisa Parrott – Round Tripper (Self-Produced)
Artist site | Buy: CDBaby – Amazon
*****
Tom McClung – Burning Bright (Archieball)
Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon
Have a great time digging through the list!
And remember, it’s simple: You like what you like.
Cheers.
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 0 • Tags: This is Jazz Today