Hitting The Ground Running
(Fat Cat Records)
‘Hitting the Ground Running’ is the latest studio album from 2009 BBC Folk Award winners Chris While and Julie Matthews, and one which showcases the breadth of their musical passion. From ballads rooted deep in the English folk tradition to nostalgic celebrations of the great American songwriter, the eleven new songs capture the energy and musical sophistication which have become the trademarks of the While and Matthews sound over the last 15 years.
The New Emancipation
(Soweto Kinch Records)
The acclaimed alto saxophonist Soweto Kinch, who was Mercury Prize nominated in 2004, is back with his first new recording in four years. His new recording draws its inspiration from 19th century work songs and early blues, exploring the modern resonances of the emancipation story. From debt/wage slavery, to creative oppression in the music industry and ideas of race in a post-Obama age, it combines this rich musical inheritance and revisits it with a stellar jazz ensemble and modern electronic production.
Tears, Lies, And Alibis
(Everso Records)
A stellar group of musicians enhance the immediacy of the songs, bringing a vintage, live-in-the-studio vibe to the album. Shelby does vocals, harmonies and guitar with added musicians Val McCallum (guitars), Ben Peeler (steel guitar, mandolin and banjo),John Jackson (guitars, dobro),Rick Reed (drums), Bryan Owings (drums, percussion), Kenny Malone(drums, percussion), Randy Leago (horns), Dave Jacques (upright bass) , Mark Jordan (piano) and Swampers from Muscle Shoals David Hood (bass) And Spooner Oldham (Wurlitzer, Rhodes).
Dancing On Frith Street
(Lost Marble)
Previously unreleased live session recorded at Ronnie Scott’s in 1990 by Loose Tubes, the innovative big band that brought together many of the leading young jazz musicians of the day. With over 20 members, Loose Tubes was one of the biggest of big bands and it drew on a considerable pool of writing as well as playing talent: particularly from Django Bates, Eddie Parker, Steve Berry and Chris Batchelor. Its music was an exotic blend of jazz, rock and sundry world musics plus a substantial dash of British humour.
