Acoustic Ladyland - Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright - Acoustic Ladyland, the band that broke the mould back in 2001, was originally conceived in name if nothing else as a way of interpreting the groundbreaking music of Jimi Hendrix. Despite the name the band’s direction is not at all acoustic, indeed it is very loudly electric, full of menace and since the critically acclaimed , became an edgy post-No Wave outfit with an acute improvising ethic, and the godfathers of a new young UK jazz scene that’s been called anything from punk jazz to post-jazz or even death jazz. Saxophonist Pete Wareham, the guiding light behind the band, gears up for the release this month of . Interview: Selwyn Harris Read more...
 
Christian McBride - Magnetic Force - Christian McBride debuts his new band Inside Straight with the slightly tongue-in-cheek title, this month. The foremost acoustic jazz bassist of his generation, and a pretty fine electric one as well, if recent touring with the Five Peace Band is anything to go by. McBride was a bright talent in a generation of fine players to emerge in the States at that time and the Philadelphian went on to make a successful solo debut on Verve in 1994. Since then he has alternated between acoustic, post-Weather Report and James Brown Ropeadope funk side projects and electric jazz-rock. Kevin Le Gendre talks to McBride about his approach to creating his new group which includes the distinctive sounds of the vibraphone courtesy Mack Avenue Records. Read more...
 
Stanley Clarke - Songs Of Experience - Bassist Stanley Clarke made an indelible mark on jazz history with Return To Forever in the 1970s and has since gone on to become a major star at jazz festivals around the world, reuniting successfully with Chick Corea, Lenny White and Al DiMeola last year. In demand as a film composer Clarke has, nonetheless, had his career peaks and troughs along the way with a number of less successful projects failing to make the impact that he once would have made. But new album, featuring Clarke on double bass, could well be a return to form. As Andy Robson discovers, it’s an older, wiser Clarke who talks openly about his new approach to life after a painful divorce, how he finds himself in a new America now Barack Obama is President, which Clarke marks with a special composition. Read more...
 
Reviews - Jazz and Beyond - From the UK's biggest review section
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The UK's most definitive review section of jazz and beyond - over 100 CDs, Book, Gig and DVD reviews are in the July 2009 Jazzwise Magazine (Issue No. 132) - to read them all click here to subscribe and receive a superb FREE CD.

May CD Sample Reviews

Acoustic Ladyland - Living With A Tiger **** - Read The Review

Stanley Clarke Trio - Jazz In The Garden *** - Read The Review

Tony Allen - Secret Agent **** - Read The Review

The Player

Neil Yates - Trumpet and flugelhorn  - David Gallant talks to the busy trumpeter about how he got started, the instruments he has played over the years and her all time favourite choice - click here to read the interview.
 
July 2009 Jazz Instrument News
 
David Gallant reports on the latest instrument developments and launches here.