With ‘Carl Finegan’, the jazz maverick Jay Riley throws open the doors to a smoke-filled 70s lounge and lets the groove do the talking. As the opening salvo from his latest LP, Orange, the track drips with nostalgia, lacing jazz-funk grooves with an almost hypnotic momentum. If anyone is on track to crack jazz hypnosis, it’s Riley.
With sax lines that speak louder than any lyrics ever could, Carl Finegan makes vocals feel surplus to requirement. Each swanky note bends and sways with an effortless conviction, conjuring the kind of unrelenting euphoria that breeds in the dim glow of a dive bar. The progressive exhilaration of the release never settles, always finding new ways to pull you further into the intricate layers of Riley’s masterful production.
Riley, a Midlands-born saxophonist and keyboardist, has spent decades refining his craft since studying at Dartington College of Arts. From touring the US and Europe with the Dr Teeth Big Band to carving out his own path with independently released albums, his ability to wield groove as both a time machine and a serotonin trigger is undeniable.
For those looking to escape into the warmth of funk-infused jazz, Carl Finegan is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.
Review by Amelia Vandergast