Jazz

Gerald Clayton
Ones & Twos
Blue Note 7547255; LP: 7547258

Pianist Gerald Clayton’s third Blue Note album is an all-star affair, with Joel Ross, Marquis Hill and Kendrick Scott joined by prodigy flautist Elena Pinderhughes. But it’s also an experiment, says Clayton, ‘where the A side can be played simultaneously with the B side — a nod to that moment in the club when the DJ transitions from one song to the next’. The side A tracks audibly complement those on the B side. You can play the opener (and single release) ‘Angels Speak’ at the same time as ‘Lovingly’, play ‘Cinnamon Sugar’ along with ‘Rush’ and so on. Later this year, there’ll be a release of the combined tracks. But even now, if you can get the tracks in sync, you will hear that it works. And it’s nice music too. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Anouar Brahem
After The Last Sky
ECM Records 75342877; LP: 7534425 (two discs)

Tunisian-born oud player and composer Brahem continues to synthesise the Arab musical tradition with elements of western music and jazz. Here we have the lineup of 2017’s Blue Maqams, pianist Django Bates contributing only judicious amounts of western harmony over the secure foundation of Dave Holland’s bass, but with the excellent addition of cellist Anja Lechner, an ECM artist (and former member of the Rosamunde Quartett). As the lengthy liner essay explains, the context of this album is inevitably the tragedy of Gaza, and you could say that the music is more melancholy than ever. But the beauty of Brahem’s oud is transcendent. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Scott Hamilton
Looking Back
Stunt Records STUCD24072; LP: STUCD24071

The master of swing/mainstream sax has maintained his ‘London quartet’ for decades but he also leads the Scandinavian quartet heard here, with the urbane piano of Jan Lundgren, Hans Backenroth on bass and the propulsive drums of Kristian Leth. Each selection is dedicated to a musician Hamilton has worked with, starting with ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face’ as this was a favourite of Ruby Braff’s. ‘Tune Up’ is for its composer Eddie Vinson, ‘Big Tate’ is a bouncy blues for Basie saxophonist Buddy Tate, and ‘Noblesse’ is from an album Hamilton made with Gerry Mulligan. As always he gives us a warm sound, effortless flowing melodies and real enjoyment. SH

Sound Quality: 85%

Alison Rayner Quintet
SEMA 4
Blow The Fuse Records BTF2515CD

Culled from two nights at London’s Vortex jazz club in May 2024, this live album captures the perfect integration and vibrant life of the band led for a decade now by British bassist Alison Rayner. On alto sax is Diane McLoughlin, best known for her Contemporary Classical Ensemble, and on guitar Deirdre Cartwright, who first collaborated with Rayner in the 1970s (and presented BBC TV’s Rockschool in the ’80s). With pianist Steve Lodder and drummer Buster Birch, ARQ refuses to be ordinary, drawing on many genres with adventurous rhythms. At the end, ‘All Will Be Well’ begins peacefully but builds to an impassioned climax to bring well-deserved applause. SH

Sound Quality: 85%