Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Sep 5, 2008	Maceo Parker - Pigalle Club, 20/8/08
The Pigalle is not short of trendy downtown charm. It’s a little bit glitzy and supper-clubbish: definitely not the usual setting for “2% jazz, 98% funk” kind of music. Luckily, there is no better man to bring a venue to life than Maceo Parker, playing here with his nine-piece band...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Aug 27, 2008	Avishai Cohen - Gently Disturbed
With this release on his own Razdaz Recordz, Avishai Cohen firmly entrenches himself as a frontrunning innovator in the piano trio medium. The Israeli bassist is joined by Mark Guiliana on drums and countryman Shai Maestro on piano - the latter a change in personnel from Continuo (Razdaz,...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Aug 22, 2008	Portico Quartet: Mercury Rising For Hang Men
The Portico Quartet are ‘indie’ in the truest sense of the word. Frederick Bernas talks to the Mercury-nominated post-jazz ensemble. It is a genuine musical fairytale. In 2004, the Portico Quartet was just one of countless acts busking the hallowed walkways of London’s South...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Aug 8, 2008	Samay - Dingwalls, 16/7/08
The first thing that strikes you about Samay is the intriguing combination of Western and Indian instruments: guitar, bass, saxophone, Tabla and Sarod. From the opening moments of this CD launch gig, it was clear a wonderful sense of communication existed: the five musicians frequently exchanged...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Aug 8, 2008	Polar Bear - Polar Bear
Polar Bear: Polar Bear Tin Angel Records Release: 14 July 2008 The long-awaited third album from Sebastian Rochford’s trailblazing group does not disappoint. Polar Bear have recently been gigging material from the 75-minute disc, with themes varying from rich, reflective soundscapes to...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Jul 31, 2008	North Sea Jazz Festival 2008
North Sea Jazz Festival Ahoy, Rotterdam July 11-13, 2008 The 33rd North Sea Jazz Festival was a showcase of epic proportions. 15 different stages in the Ahoy Centre played host to 200 artists; venues varied in size from large concert halls like the Amazon, Darling and Hudson to smaller,...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Jul 25, 2008	Neil Cowley Trio: What's In A Name?
Neil Cowley is a jazz musician who doesn’t listen to jazz. Frederick Bernas talks to him about his 20-year career on the piano stool. When their debut album Displaced was released independently in 2006, the Neil Cowley Trio received mixed reactions....... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Jul 21, 2008	New wave of UK jazz groups shine at Europe’s biggest jazz festival
North Sea Jazz Festival 11-13 July 2008 Ahoy, Rotterdam A veritable Who’s Who of contemporary jazz was on the bill at the 33rd North Sea Jazz Festival, with titanic names like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter alongside an exciting selection of newcomers. Empirical, Led...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Jul 24, 2008	Neil Cowley Trio - Koko, 20/7/08
Neil Cowley Trio + Portico Quartet Koko, Camden Sunday, 20/7/08 Two of our jazz scene’s rising names graced the stage at Koko, a venue normally reserved for the very latest disposable indie bands. Kudos must go to the iTunes festival programmers: even though the total...... [view]

Posted By:  sunflowerluv Posted On:  Jul 20, 2008	nostalgic architecture
I wanted to visit Brancusi's exibition at the National Art Museum of Romania in Bucharest (MNAR), but the day was too short.. I've always loved the architecture of the museum building!! Each time I pass by the building, I remember my student years in Bucharest when I used to suddenly decide...... [view]

Posted By:  Rapscallion Posted On:  Jul 11, 2008	Blink - Blink
Blink: Blink LOOP Records The latest offering from London’s infamous LOOP Collective, this eponymous debut features an unconventional bass-less trio of pianist Alcyona Mick, Robin Fincker on tenor sax and clarinet and drummer Paul Clarvis. All demonstrate considerable...... [view]