They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and the same goes for CDs. Pick up a copy of Laura Comfort‘s new album Don’t Ignore Me, and you may think this is all about the look and not much about the sound – style over substance. But you’d be very wrong. Continue reading
Category Archives: Pop
Soul with a hint of funk: Can you dig it?
If you’re in any doubt about what to expect from the new Gina Carey album, Can You Dig It, a glance at the tracklist will soon put you straight: songs include Funkalicious and Gimme The Soul. Continue reading
Love Supreme is here to stay (I hope)
After just three years, the Love Supreme Festival seems to have established itself as a firm fixture on the jazz (and blues and soul) calendar. This year’s edition, again in the beautiful East Sussex countryside at Glynde Place, offered veterans Chaka Khan and (Sir) Van Morrison as main stage headliners, with the likes of Neneh … Continue reading
‘Kinky’ and funky acts add to jazz festival line-ups
The founder of legendary rock band The Kinks, and the DJs of Funky Sensation are among the names that have been added to the line-ups at two of the summer’s big jazz festivals. Continue reading
Whatever this is, I want more – Zeeteah serves up tasty Juice
“Whatever this is, I want more” is the catchy refrain from the opening track on the superb debut studio album from Zeeteah Massiah. And I agree. Juice will leave you wanting more. What is this? Well, it’s jazz, but it’s totally accessible, with hints of blues, soul, R&B, even reggae, without lapsing into pop. Many … Continue reading
‘Sizzle and Swing’ combines the mouth-watering with the toe-tapping
There seems a natural connection between music and food, doesn’t there? At their best, both are creative and satisfying – and essential for a happy existence. Music is, after all, the food of love. And now jazz star Erin Dickins has combined her love of the musical and culinary arts to produce Sizzle and Swing … Continue reading
Chaka Khan and Van the Man – big-name veterans top the Love Supreme bill
It’s understandable that Jazz FM has been blowing its own trumpet this week. Landing two big-name veterans to top the bill at the annual Love Supreme Festival is worth trumpeting. American jazz-funk and soul star Chaka Khan will headline on the Saturday (July 4) and Northern Ireland’s rock-blues-jazz-pop maestro Van Morrison is the man on … Continue reading
Love Supreme meets the challenge of that ‘difficult second festival’
We’ve all heard the cliche about that “difficult second album”. Imagine how the challenges are multiplied with that difficult second jazz festival. Yet, Love Supreme II was again supreme. The inaugural Love Supreme Festival in July 2013 was such a success, I gave it a glowing 10 out of 10. It was the UK’s first … Continue reading
It’s all in the timing at Love Supreme
With the Love Supreme Festival just days away, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be when. Can I see Jamie Cullum and Snarky Puppy? Will I miss Laura Mvula, if I see Incognito? Such are the dilemmas of a multi-stage event with top-class jazz, soul and R&B acts at every turn. … Continue reading
New Love Supreme acts grab attention
A further impressive chunk of the Love Supreme Festival line-up has been announced, with De la Soul, Incognito and Imelda May among the names grabbing my attention. Jazz FM‘s greenfield festival of jazz, soul, blues and more is back at Glynde Place in Sussex (July 4-6) for its second year, having been given a glowing … Continue reading
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