The Japanese Jazz scene came into its own after the end of WWII. During the war, jazz was banned in Japan as its American roots made it the music of the enemy. After the end of the war, western forces occupied the country, and the jazz scene began to flourish. Since then, Japanese Jazz has … Read more
Modal jazz is a type of jazz music that originated in the 1950s. The most famous example of modal jazz is Miles Davis’ seminal record Kind of Blue. Modal jazz is unique in the fact it uses musical modes instead of chord changes as the basis of its harmonic structure. The introduction of modes in … Read more
Acid jazz is a sub-genre of jazz that draws primarily on elements of jazz, funk, soul and disco. The term was first coined by Gilles Peterson, who went on to form Acid Jazz Records. The genre enjoyed its heyday in London in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By using funk and disco rhythms, acid … Read more
Emerging in the late 19th and early 20th century in the deep American south, blues and jazz music share some commonalities, as well as some significant differences. The main difference between blues and jazz is the use of different scales and different instrumentation. Blues music tends to adhere to simple chord progressions and relatively simple … Read more
Jazz has seen something of a revival in recent years, with a wave of new talent springing up in the UK jazz scene, and around the world. One of the best ways to discover new music has always been to turn to the professional curators, who spend their days seeking out new artists. With that … Read more
The new video release from Marco Woolf explores the tenderness and joy of family relationships. The track sits on his EP Francine, i, which follows the story of an African woman who migrates to the West for the sake of her children. Building from a gentle kalimba introduction, the sounds of ‘Let’s Build This House’ … Read more
A jazz revival is happening in the UK. After spending many years as a symbol of wine-sipping middle-class civility, a new generation of music lovers are getting back the gritty, sweaty, passionate roots of the genre. The likes of London-based Brownswood Recordings and Gilles Peterson have been important to publicising the movement. But outside the … Read more
There are many acts out there who attempt daring stylistic fusion projects. While impressively ambitious, more often than not a band will overstretch themselves and fall flat in the process. One group that has no issue in this regard is Nubiyan Twist. An effervescent collective of artists, their third full-length Freedom Fables is a vibrant fusion of … Read more
The debut EP from Birmingham-based future jazzers Zyggurat represents a passage through imagined landscapes. Travelling across abstract wilds to urban civilisation and beyond, the band arrive at Earth II. Led by Pete Grimshaw (synths, trombone, samples, production), Zyggurat combines elements of jazz, electronica, experimental, and ambient music. The journey is cerebral and sonically pleasing. Underpinned … Read more
Skeltr seamlessly blend spiritual jazz and rave in their epic debut album Dorje. In a distinctly unusual fusion of genres and ideas, the Manchester-based duo pull off a crossover that feels unwaveringly coherent and organic. Drawing inspiration from Buddhist philosophy and practice on the one hand, and Manchester‘s rave scene on the other, the record … Read more
Millicent James blends jazz, gospel, and contemporary classical to create a daring, accomplished debut EP in Moyo. In the four tracks, Millicent explores the themes of silver linings, history, and ‘becoming more comfortable with my identity as a black woman.’ The cinematic ‘Moyo/Ancestors’ is a bold opening to the record. A Swahili chant segues into … Read more
If Wandering Monster’s 2019 self-titled debut album marked them out as ones to watch in the UK jazz scene, their new double A-side EP Metropolis / Division puts them firmly on the map. The record sees the quintet extend into new terrain, with rich quivering organs, deft guitar changes, soaring sax melodies, and hypnotic grooves … Read more
The recent tidal wave of emerging London jazz bands has hailed a new era of fusion and experimentation for jazz music. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a new generation of artists mixing and matching musical cultures, imbuing new life and meaning into a genre that was, for many, fading into irrelevance. From … Read more
Intricate, enchanting, and sonically striking, Yaatri’s new EP Reach is the latest release to emerge from the ever-fertile Leeds jazz community. From the epicentre of the north’s Jazz renaissance, Yaatri’s new release is the fruit of a cross-genre, DIY music culture that is full of surprises. Now more than ever, rising artists in the jazz … Read more
Contemporary jazz hasn’t always been well received by young people. For a long time it’s been dismissed as a pretentious genre preferred by austere middle-aged audiences. But in recent years this stereotype has been turned on its head. In the UK there’s a tight-knit network of young musicians changing the face of contemporary jazz. And … Read more
Angular, atmospheric, and lush, Rosie Tee’s new single ‘Wither’ shows the Birmingham singer and composer reaching new heights. The track is infused with jazz, and constructed as if for an orchestra, but this is alt-pop – and alt-pop at its finest. Calling to mind the likes of Laura Mvula, Björk, and Anna Meredith, ‘Wither’ is … Read more
M.O.S, the debut album from Mansion of Snakes, shows the 10-piece Leeds/London-based troupe reach new levels of depth and sonic maturity. Whilst staying loyal to their early afrobeat sound, the debut album draws on a new palette, calling to mind the free jazz of Sun Ra, 1970s Ethiopiques, New York new wave and more, with … Read more
Leeds-based trip-hop electronica grunge band Freese Trio drop their single ‘Paradise Island’ today, from their forthcoming album The Beast in the Blueprint.
K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade’s long-awaited debut album Wahala Wahala shows unexpected new sides to the renowned genre-bending party-starters.
We spoke to Vula Viel about her love of Dagaare music and what it means for a white woman to play African music in 2019.
Têtes de Pois – that’s ‘head of peas’ for those of you who don’t speak French – make intelligent jazz, fused with hip-hop and afrobeat.
K.O.G talks about Sheffield, Ghana, and Zongo Music – a collective to represent the next generation of alternative music in the North.
