Tenor saxophonist Timo Lassy, one of Finland's leading jazz artists, is back with a new album release "Trio" on We Jazz Records. The album, to be released on 27 August, introduces Lassy's new combo with bassist Ville Herrala and drummer Jaska Lukkarinen – both We Jazz Records roster artists on their own right.

The new Lassy sound is tight, swinging and funky, led by the strong and riff-ready sax of the tenorman. That being said, the album's sound is not limited to that of the swinging trio. As we hear already on the first single "Orlo", Lassy's new vision also brings in some subtle electronics (played on "Orlo" by Lassy and Dalindèo frontman Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen) and lush strings performed by Budapest Art Orchestra as arranged by Finnish artist Marzi Nyman. It's a new sound for Lassy, but one which keeps true to his no-nonsense cookin' on the tenor.

Timo Lassy, tenor saxophone
Ville Herrala, double bass
Jaska Lukkarinen, drums

All tracks written by Timo Lassy
Produced by Timo Lassy & Abdissa Assefa
Strings arranged by Marzi Nyman, performed by Budapest Art Orchestra cond. Peter Pejtsik (1., 2., 4., 7.)
Synthesizer, keys: Tuomo Prättälä (3.), Valtteri Pöyhönen (7.), Timo Lassy (2., 5.)
Percussion: Abdissa Assefa (5.)
Recorded & Mixed by Abdissa Assefa at Ambience studios, Helsinki
Strings recorded at East Connection Music Recording, Budapest
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers
Original artwork by Ilari Hautamäki: "Subtropic" (2019)
Original artwork photographed by Jussi Tiainen
Design by Matti Nives

Orlo

7" and Digital out May 13, 2014. 

Order the 7" and get instant download of this song : https://bastardjazz.bandcamp.com/album/montreux-sunrise-trans-alpine-express

After the dynamo sophomore release that was 2013's "Curiosities", New Zealand's Lord Echo returns to Brooklyn's Bastard Jazz label, this time producing Kiwi trio The Elder Statesman comprised of twin brothers and Wellington fixtures Christopher (piano) and Daniel (double bass) Yeabsley with Lord Echo himself on percussion and drums. 

On the "A" side, Montreux Sunrise is mellow meander through a laidback early 70s souljazz vibes, while "Trans Alpine Express" picks things up on the B side with a deep, spiritual piano groove, upfront doublebass, and Echo's percussion perfectly in the pocket. 

A timeless gem of a 7" from Bastard Jazz, releasing their own namesake for once!

Buy 7" or Digital

The Elder Statesman - Trans-Alpine Express

Wildcookie "Serious Drug" Instrumental

This gem of a track is a live version used as the 'outro' to the Black Wax DVD, which was recorded in 1982 at the Wax Museum Club in Washington DC when Gil performed with Amnesia Express. This version for me trumps the album versions as it's energy captures the live aspect of jazz more faithfully, whether it's the amazing solos or his little blurb in the middle about his frustration with how the music is classified, or simply his velvety singing!

The sound quality isn't brilliant as I suspect this DVD may have been bootlegged from a VHS (which was the original format this footage appeared on), A nice one to have in the collection though. I can highly recommend picking up the DVD if you're a fan of his, as it's peppered with little skits and asides of his poetry and social commentary as well as the great live performance. 

Gil Scott-Heron - Is That Jazz  (Live at Wax Museum Club DC with Amnesia Express 1982)

A.O.E.I.U. (An Ordinary Exercise In Unity)

Unity & The Downbeats - Love Dream

OriginalRaw Feat. Kamasi Washington & Sam Dorman

Drummer-producer Teppo Mäkynen's celebrated alias The Stance Brothers returns with a properly groovy 7"/digi single "Resolution Blue / Where Is Resolution Blue?" on We Jazz Records, 19 June. The source of inspiration here is an original track by Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen found on their self-titled 2019 We Jazz LP. The Stance Brothers mangles the track up into two different versions with crisp drums, catchy vibraphone riffs, distorted guitars and 100% signature Stance Bros groove, like only Teddy Rok can deliver it. The digi version adds a "bonus beats" type of treatment in "Teddy Rok Mass Appeal Edit".

True to We Jazz style, the 7" comes with an old school heat-pressed labels and a generic brown paper sleeve.

Resolution Blue

Another song I was introduced to by my father.
Everything's in place.
J

Free / Support

Wayne Shorter - Ponta de Areia (Middle Sky Boom Edit)

Stimulator Jones breaks new ground on his sophomore LP, La Mano. The Stones Throw affiliate heads over to Mutual Intentions for a novel instrumental record that expands a musical dialect built on his singular fusion of sounds. The artist explores the musical possibilities contained in his hands as he moves between keys, guitars, drums and wind instruments in arrangements that break down the intellectual barriers of genre for the corporeal intimacy off the soul.

www.mutualintentions.com 

@stimulator-jones

Stimulator Jones - Drama Time

Buy / Stream the album here: https://orcd.co/shintaro

BBE Music presents the seventh release in its highly acclaimed J Jazz Master Class Series: ‘Evolution’ by Shintaro Quintet. Recorded in 1984 and originally released on the private label Streetnoise Records, ‘Evolution’ is a perfect example of stately modal jazz with every one of its five tracks composed by band leader and bassist, Shintaro Nakamura.

A cut from the album, ‘A Blind Man’, was included on the BBE Music compilation ‘J Jazz – Deep Modern Jazz from Japan 1969-1984’, and it’s a track that’s indicative of the album’s graceful blend of spiritual jazz and gently swinging minor blues waltzes, a style favoured by Nakamura that allows the band to stretch out and explore the strong melodic themes, lush arrangements and seductive rhythms.

Recorded in New York, ‘Evolution’ features the great Japanese trumpet player Shunzo Ohno alongside a mixed Japanese-American band: pianist Jeff Jenkins, who brings a touch of McCoy Tyner’s percussive blues to the album, has worked with many jazz greats including Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris and Clark Terry; US-born Saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu, one- time member of Jack McDuff’s band has also recorded and performed with jazz guitarist Pat Martino; and drummer Fukushi Tainaka, who studied under Philly Joe Jones, completes the solid rhythm section with Nakamura and Jenkins.

‘Evolution’ is reissued as a double 45rpm 180g LP, cut by the Grammy-nominated Carvery Studio. The BBE Music edition features exact reproductions of the original artwork and super-rare diagonal obi strip. It also comes with the original notes fully translated plus a new extended essay and interview with band members by Tony Higgins. ‘Evolution’ is also available as a CD and across digital formats.

The BBE J Jazz Masterclass Series is personally curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden and is dedicated to presenting the very finest in Japanese modern jazz. The series features rare material, presented in the highest quality reproductions of the original releases, fully licensed and authorised by the artists and labels.

A.O.E.I.U. (An Ordinary Exercise In Unity)

Philophon

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