January 2014

Babel Catch Up January 2014

Raymond MacDonald and Marilyn Crispell - PARALLEL MOMENTS (4 ****)
An excellent pairing from the avant garde pianist and alto saxophonist.
A long-time associate of Anthony Braxton, Marilyn Crispell's playing is avant garde, but with a strong romantic sensibility, making her an excellent match for Scottish saxophonist Raymond MacDonald, co-founder of Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra. Crispell was the
special guest at last year's GIO Fest, expanding on a partnership first forged in 2010. Recorded at that year's London Jazz Festival, Parallel Moments is an intimate and richly imaginative duo set.

The opening ballad, 'Longing', sees MacDonald weave melodic alto sax over Crispell's
lush chording, with his raspy tone on the chorus bringing a passionate edge. 'Town and City Halls' is altogether starker, with MacDonald's sustained tones offset by Crispell's masterfully restrained one-hand piano statements. With 'Notes in the Sky', MacDonald channels Evan Parker with soprano loops and squawks, while the title track features some inspired inside piano from Crispell, her fingers dancing around the frame and rubbing the strings to create deep resonant tones.

Source: The List
Date: 13 January 2014
Written by: Stewart Smith

Emilia Mårtensson - ANA 
Below Emilia talks about her new album. Ana is the name of her Slovenian grandmother who the album is dedicated to. The influences range form Swedish folk songs to jazz. Stylistic references include Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Rory Simmons makes an appearance as one of the producers of the album the other being Alex Bonney.
Lots of other familiar names from the Babel stable including Sam Lasserson (double bass), and Barry Green (piano). New addition to the band is Adriano Adewale (percussion). The Fable string Quartet add another dimension. Release date: 7/April/2014





23/Jan/2014

Alexander Hawkins Ensemble - STEP WIDE, STEP DEEP the track in the video is the first track of the album 'Space of Time Danced Thru'. This is a rather excellent track that grooves! Otto Fischer's facial movements jamming in time is quite a love affair with the camera. Just as I write this a review from The Free Jazz Collective is posted. Now I know the meaning of Dolphy-esque.
Video 5***** 6/Jan/2014