18. Serious fun

Lullaby for Igor. From Rita Marcotulli and Andy Sheppard, On the edge of a perfect moment, 2005 Andy Sheppard is … More

17. Essence of Brazil

Cochichando. From Paulo Moura, Pixinguinha, 1996 Sun-drenched days put me in mind of this, which comes with fond memories of … More

Irene. From Charlie Haden and Hampton Hawes, As Long as There’s Music, 1978 Such a wondrous combination here. “I can … More

Down San Diego Way. From Arthur Blythe, Lenox Avenue Breakdown, 1979 Did I say this little series would avoid obvious … More

My ship. From Andrew Cyrille, Metamusicians’ Stomp, 1978 Manchester in the late 1970s. There’s one decent jazz gig a week, … More

Re: Person I knew, from Nutty (on) Willisau, Coe, Oxley and Co, 1983 Even allowing for the smaller number of … More

Sho’ Nuff Blues, Bobby Bradford and the Mo’ Tet. Lost in LA, 1984 Now here’s a man who doesn’t get … More

The Gardens of Harlem. Clifford Thornton and the Jazz Composers’ Orchestra, 1975 No convenient way to embed a single track … More

For Harry Carney, Charles Mingus, 1974 Ah, what a band. The only acceptable Mingus drummer, Dannie Richmond, had come back … More

Panamonk, Danilo Perez, 1996. This isn’t purely a study in rhythm but rhythm is at the heart of the project. … More