In a year marked by the debut releases of some fine new jazz singers – with Gregory Porter’s superlative Water clearly leading the pack – it’s encouraging that another singer, this time a UK-based Australian vocalist by the name of Josh Kyle, is set to launch his debut album.

Kyle came to the UK just two years and soon got the backing of Claire Martin and Ian Shaw and began to work with renowned bassist Geoff Gascoyne, who was influential in Jamie Cullum’s early success.

After a year of careful preparation Possibilities is the result and it’s set to be released on Jazzizit records in the autumn with a launch at Pizza Express Jazz Club on 20 October followed by a further London date at Lauderdale House on 17 November. Kyle has a high, almost falsetto alto voice slightly reminiscent of a Michael Franks or Jimmy Scott, even Chet Baker on ‘The Thrill is Gone’, but he is clearly no copyist.

Standouts include ‘Proof’ (a fine version of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Actual Proof’ from the influential Thrust album) and aside from the totally believable nature of Kyle’s vocal delivery the band accompanying him has a very hip feel to it, with none of the retro swing mannerisms that could have erected a barrier between performer and listener. Tom Cawley’s Fender Rhodes sets the mood for the most part but Gascoyne, especially when he plays electric bass, really keeps the momentum up providing formidable support for Kyle while Ralph Salmins is as dependable as you’d expect from a top jazz and session drummer. You can hear a few previews from the album here www.t.co/0FbFsRd
– Stephen Graham