Browsing Tag

jazz

Michel Héroux Orchestrated Synesthetic Euphoria in the Serenity of His Jazz Fusion Installation, Folk Song

Michel Heroux

Montreal-based guitarist, composer, arranger, and educator, Michel Héroux allowed his latest instrumental piece, Folk Song, to become a paragon of his fusionist prestige. His ability to translate technical skill, while balancing jazz, blues, rock, pop, rock, classical and experimental elements, into profoundly evocative sensory experiences which transcend auditory bliss is superlative – to say the least.

With each progression an explosion of vibrant, almost tropical, soul, you can’t help but be enveloped by the synesthesia-bestowed hues which blossom around the complex layers of the creatively uninhibited melodies which serenade you away from the mundanity of material reality and implant you in a sonic scene of utopia. If you need to be reminded of the capacity for fret-carved beauty, hit play.

Folk Song will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 24th. Discover Michel Héroux via his official website and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NYC’s Jazz-Punk Raconteurs of Rancour, Goldbloom, Stridently Blossomed in Their Fusionist Revolution, Redneck

For Money and Power by Goldbloom

The protestive pulse of punk and the rhythmic rebellion of jazz went hand in hand in ‘Redneck’, which is just one of the seminal singles from the Texan-born, NYC-based jazz trio Goldbloom’s sophomore LP, For Money and Power.

Channelling the jazz-punk flair of icons in the same vein as Acoustic Ladyland, with this sax-led riotously smoky tour de force, the outfit which originally connected at NYC’s New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, pushed visceral momentum into an aural arena hallmarked by sophisticated syncopation and inaccessible pretension.

The synergy trio’s triadic power is on full display in Redneck, as is the dualism between the technical skill and the intensity of a garage rock band riffing out a sonic resistance that you will want to join them at the vanguard for.

Redneck is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

David Seymour constructed a euphonic paradise in his jazz-folk piece, What a Life

Easy listening doesn’t come much easier than, What a Life, a standout piece on David Seymour’s jazz-folk fusion EP, Shelter. The elegant-with-soul slice of euphonic paradise doesn’t allow sophistication to get in the way of the accessibility of the release which prises minds open to the possibility of utopias lying wherever your rose-tinted perception looks for them.

The Latin guitar flourishes which beckons the outro adds another layer of auditory serenity to the organically free-flowing release after the female vocalist spills her equable graceful beguile over the score written and composed by David Seymour who has been integral to the London music scene for the past three decades. Following his position as a world music agent at Jenako Arts, he studied with the one and only Amancio D’Silva before studying at the music department at New City College with Chris Wilson.

By filtering jazz through a lens of folk and ensuring soul spills from every note of the instrumentation, David Seymour established himself as an essential artist for anyone who seeks the spiritual sanctity of folk and the expressive fluency of easy-listening jazz. With more music in the pipeline, Seymour is undoubtedly one to watch throughout 2024.

Stream What a Life with the rest of David Seymour’s seminal EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joanne Louise’ standout score, The Avenue, is a refreshing sojourn through jazz fusion

With her standout score, The Avenue, the rhythmically intuitive composer Joanne Louise captured a distinctive space within the jazz sphere, presenting an easy-listening single that smoulders with classical sensibility and innovative flourishes.

This piece is a testament to the breadth of the Pittsburgh-born artist’s musical education and the depth of her creativity; Louise’s training at The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia evidently informs the sophisticated orchestration of the track. Her ability to weave hip-hop nuances into the fabric of world music, without overshadowing the jazz foundation, speaks to a refined compositional skill.

The Avenue” itself is an engaging paradox. It is rooted in tradition yet feels entirely contemporary, thanks to Louise’s daring genre amalgamative style. The result is a simmering blend that respects its jazz heritage while introducing an eclectic mix of sounds that serenade the ear and envelop the soul in a lush auditory reprieve.

Stream The Avenue on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sojourn into Scott Murphy’s profound musical ethos with his seminally lush release,  Follow the Right Light

Scott Murphy’s standout release, Follow the Right Light, featuring Janek Gwizdala, Daniel Chu, and Padget Fresh Nanton, taken from his expansively styled album, a dream of form, is a sublime exploration of the intersections between easy listening jazz and art-rock.

As Murphy’s sax lines lace the instrumental soundscape with smoky strident cultivation with a similar sense of Pete Wareham’s fiery finesse, the trip-hop-esque percussion modernises the jazz-infused production, ensuring that Follow the Right Light resounds far away from your typical and inaccessible jazz fare.

Scott Murphy, an internationally acclaimed name in the jazz scene, proved exactly how he earned his prestigious stripes with Follow the Right Light; the 10-minute sojourn into sensuous serenity is as essential as listens come for those who carry a penchant for jazz, and those who look for catharsis in lush sound palettes.

Follow the Right Light was officially released on April 20; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Harmony Serenaded Hope in Camille Rose’s Jazz Pop Installation of Optimism, Be Alright

Camille Rose’s recently released EP, Be Alright, is a sojourn of warmth in the murky waters of early adult life. The title track encapsulates a journey of inner reflection, set against a backdrop of jazz-pop reverence. As Rose navigates through themes of self-development, her soulful voice serves as a comforting guide through the turbulent tides of coming to age in an imperfect world.

Released on the 18th of April 2024, the three-track EP is a blend of introspective lyricism and lush musical arrangements, kicking off with the title single which sees the sax elevating the listening experience with its vibrant and cinematic presence that pierces the soul with serotonin and pull listeners into the very core of the music’s optimistic spirit.

The title single weaves together the complexities of life’s challenges with a narrative that reassures us, in Rose’s tender timbre, that everything will “be alright”, which becomes a soulful reprise throughout the release, which follows the high bars set by previous releases which showcase Rose’s growth as an artist who not only understands her musical roots but also knows how to enthral her audience. Her ability to blend jazz, soul, and R&B into a sonic experience that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth is a testament to her evolving, and increasingly honed artistry.

In essence, Be Alright is a therapy session wrapped in melody and harmony, promising solace and a sunny-side-up disposition for anyone needing a moment of musical catharsis.

Be Alright is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robert Prester & Adriana Samargia gave jazz a sophisticated edge with ‘Altar Ego’

Two major talents collided for the creation of the superlatively cultivated jazz-pop score, Altar Ego; with Robert Prester in deft charge of composition, lyrics and piano & Adriana Samargia lending her cinematic vocal timbre to the number, it unravelled as a standing ovation-worthy triumph.

Sophistication spills from every note in the sublime, bordering on baroque, score which exhibits Robert Prester’s virtuosic flair when his hands find harmony over piano keys while Adriana Samargia’s vibrant-with-zeal contribution to the single infuses Altar Ego with swathes of commercial appeal. With a voice which wouldn’t be out of place on Broadway, Adriana was the perfect fit to add even more vigour to this exhilaratingly distinctive number.

Stream the official music video for Altar Ego on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slip back to the mid-century with Sam Johnson Trio’s jazz number, Waltz for Taylor

Sam Johnson Trio’s latest single, ‘Waltz for Taylor’, is a temporal gateway to the golden era of mid-century jazz, an introduction to the trio’s commitment to authenticity and an exhibition of their skill in crafting a sound that resonates with the essence of jazz legends like the Vince Guaraldi Trio and the Oscar Peterson Trio.

The easy-listening instrumental score crafted by Sam Johnson (piano), Georgia Johnson (double bass), and James Wood (drums) shuns the lure of bravado and opts for an ambience rich in opulence and decadence, yet remarkably free of pretension. It’s a rare feat in today’s jazz scene.

The heart of this piece lies in its melodious piano keys, led by Sam Johnson. His intuitive play is the cornerstone of the trio’s sound, weaving a soundscape that is both warm and beguiling. The expressive flair of the music is subtle yet profound, inviting listeners into a world of escapism. The cathartic nature of this waltz is undeniable, offering a respite from the chaos of modern life.

This single is a must-listen for jazz aficionados and casual listeners alike, offering a slice of history served with a side of modern flair.

Waltz for Taylor was officially released on March 15th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Martin Packwood wrapped his latest jazz fusion, Moonlight in Paris, in the warmth of the Parisian night

Martin Packwood’s latest single, Moonlight in Paris, is a scintillatingly smooth journey through the streets of jazz fusion, where every note feels like a step along the Seine under a starlit sky. This amorous installation unravels as a sensory expedition, wrapped in the warmth of a Parisian night.

Packwood’s guitar work, reminiscent of the bluesy soulfulness of Eric Clapton, intertwines effortlessly with the jazz keys. The bluesy guitar notes, like whispers of a distant love affair, meld with percussive fills that don’t just give the score structure, they fill Moonlight in Paris with anticipation.  Each progression in the track teases the listener not unlike the narrative arc of a classic romance.

The genius of Packwood lies in his ability to draw from a diverse palette of influences. His style, a confluence of Santana’s rhythmic mastery and the improvisational spirit of jazz, makes Moonlight in Paris a track that transcends mere auditory experience. It’s a piece that paints pictures, evoking the filmic aura of a David Lynch creation.

This release, following Packwood’s consistent contributions to the jazz-rock fusion domain, confirms his place as a sculptor of soundscapes rather than just a musician. Moonlight in Paris is a nocturnal stroll through the heart of jazz fusion, leaving listeners with a longing for just one more night in the city of lights.

Moonlight in Paris will officially release on March 15; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Daniel Walzer – Space Thing: A Cosmic Journey Through Jazz Fusion

Tripglitch by Daniel Walzer

Daniel Walzer’s single, ‘Space Thing’, from his LP ‘Tripglitch’, is an innovatively entrancing blend of jazz, electronica, and progressive rock elements and a shining example of Walzer’s prowess as a composer and multi-instrumentalist. His ability to compose avant-garde soundscapes deeply rooted in musical tradition is evident in the synthesis of spacey tones and mind-altering melodies.

The prog-rock guitars add a unique dynamic, intertwining seamlessly with the more traditional jazz and classical elements. This fusion creates a soundscape that is vibrant and upbeat yet laced with subtle hints of dystopia. Even amidst the more energetic progressions, Space Thing evokes a sense of quiescence and solace while sharing a few tendencies with the ‘War of the Worlds’ OST.

The production of ‘Space Thing’ is gentle yet potent, allowing each instrument to shine without overpowering the others. This balance is a hallmark of Walzer’s work, reflecting his deep understanding of and respect for each genre he incorporates into his music.

‘Tripglitch’, and particularly ‘Space Thing’, is a reflection of Walzer’s journey through various musical landscapes, from jazz fusion to new age and ambient pop. His ability to blend these styles while maintaining a cohesive sound is nothing short of remarkable.

Space Thing is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast