SAMSARA (www.urbangypsies.org/) 7/10 What other band would even contemplate performing both Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir and Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango on the same album? Such juxtapositions could easily seem somewhat arch, but the Urban Gypsies Quartet makes it seem almost inevitable, so seamlessly does it blend genres, anyway. Elements of flamenco, jazz,…
Category: Album Reviews – Archive
WITH LOVE AND FURY (Kin/Universal) 9/10 Whereas poetry is conceived of as complete in itself, lyrics and librettos conceptually leave the composer creative space. So for Katie Noonan to use 10 of Judith Wright’s almost mystical poems for a song cycle was risky: delicate lilies could easily have been gilded…
ENSAM (LRP) 7.5/10 Not only is Ireland’s Kevin Brady an exceptional jazz drummer, he is a composer of expanding breadth and creativity. In writing for his trio with fellow Irishman Dave Redmond (bass) and the American pianist Bill Carrothers he crafts pieces replete with that most magical of musical assets:…