John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension
Now Here This
Abstract Logix ****
This is a deceptive release. Listen to the first tracks ‘Trancefusion’ and ‘Riff Raff’ and you’d swear the record was a generic jazz-rock fusion album with Ranjit Barot adopting the Billy Cobham role, and McLaughlin not sounding like himself at all. But everything changes from ‘Echoes From Then’ on, as Etienne M’Bappé steers the band on a loping, boogie-ing tilt, and Gary Husband moving into more open improvising territory. M’bappé produces a lovely figure at the beginning of ‘Wonderfall’ and so, lo and behold, the album suddenly becomes much more tender and approachable. ‘Not Here Not There’ is where McLaughlin really opens up in terms of expression rather than firepower, utterly remarkable at 70 or any age.
Released on 15 October
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
St Peter & 57th St
Rounder ***
Marking 50 years of a trad jazz institution recorded at Carnegie Hall in January St Peter & 57th St is a starry gathering with Allen Toussaint, Steve Earle (a big highlight on ‘Taint Nobody’s Business’) and remarkably Merrill Garbus of the toggle-case loving Tuneyards. Check your deeply ingrained ideas about trad at the door or you’ll miss out on a few gems here.
Released on 24 September
The Cloudmakers Trio with Ralph Alessi
Live at the Pizza Express
Whirlwind ****
Recorded in 2010 this classy release, with great artwork and live sound faithfully captured by the Pizza Express’ sound engineer Luc Saint-Martin complementing the quality of the musicianship at play, the Cloudmakers allow once more a good hard look at Jim Hart’s outstanding vibes playing. The existential, at times admittedly overly-serious, sound of trumpeter Ralph Alessi is the main thing you’ll hear upfront on many of the tracks, but there is a complex set of rhythms at play from the trio that demands more detailed listening, as anyone who has heard bassist Michael Janisch play in whatever context over the past five years will testify to. Outhouse’s Dave Smith is typically capable, and this release will also do much to raise the profile of Whirlwind not just for the undoubted taste it brings to its output, but also the label’s improving presentation, something that many indie jazz labels don’t think hard enough about.
Released on 10 September
Stephen Graham