7th June 2024
by Barney Whittaker
Kicking things off is the always reliable GoGo Penguin, whose latest release -From the North - GoGo Penguin Live in Manchester -sees the trio take to the venue of the Old Granada Studios in their hometown for a cracking run through their most up-to-date setlist. Next up is Flukten, a young troupe of upcoming Norwegian all-stars presenting their equally fresh ideas on their second self-titled LP. With over 20 albums as leader, the American trumpeter Jeremy Peltis back with the doubly inspired Tomorrow's Another Daybefore we hear from Elton Dean, whose free jazzUnlimited Saxophone Company receives its first ever reissue. Finally, we have some rareStan Getz, recorded in Copenhagen in 1977 off the back of the legendary saxophonist's 50th birthday. Enjoy!
From the North - GoGo Penguin Live in Manchester
GoGo Penguin
With a recent lineup shift coming in the wake of COVID, it feels like things are now starting to settle for the Manchester-based trio. Strong tides are quietly morphing into calmer waves, as this limited edition live release certainly proves. Featuring live renditions of tracks from their most recent work, including last year’s stellar Everything Is Going To Be OK, the Northern three-piece are steadily regaining momentum with their emotive blend of broken-beat jazz.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
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Read our review of GoGo Penguin's Everything Is Going To Be OK here...
Flukten
Flukten
With major accomplishments already behind each member, this talented bunch of young Norwegian musicians re-emerge on their second album with a commanding presence plus an attitude of hearty exploration. Beautiful synergy and matchless rhythmic sensibilities, all delivered with a wicked sense of the unexpected that lies at the heart of this band of four close friends. Refreshingly modern; extremely listenable.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
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Available Format: Vinyl Record
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Tomorrow's Another Day
Jeremy Pelt
For his latest adventurous recording, the prolific American trumpeter calls on the talents of Deantoni Parks, the drummer and producer who recently made an appearance on the new André 3000 album. A self-styled ‘creative technologist’, Pelt’s lines blend sumptuously with Parks’ choppy sampling and loops, making for an entirely fresh sound as the leader breathes through each of his warm phrases.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
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Elton Dean's Unlimited Saxophone Company
Elton Dean
Thank goodness for Ogun Records, who've captured this short-lived project from the Soft Machine-affiliate in all its glory. Having only ever given three performances (two of which are now available together on CD for the first time), Dean leads a rollicking lineup of progressive musicians, including the blindsiding titular sax quartet! This release marks a solid entry in the innovative English jazz musician’s career, with a forthcoming reissue of Louis Moholo-Moholo’s Viva La Black (1988) also set to arrive from the label later this month.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
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Unissued Session Copenhagen 1977
Stan Getz
Make no mistake, we’re dealing with one of the great tenorists of the day here, and this previously unreleased live date captures him at the peak of the jazz-fusion era. Actually, that genre never rubbed off all that much on the bebop blower, although Joanne Brackeen’s delectable Fender Rhodes does call to mind the saxophonist’s earlier work with Chick Corea during those early ‘Return to Forever’ days. Elsewhere, the vibes are gorgeously mellow and subdued as the band balances a winning variety of different contemporary styles.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
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Unissued Session Copenhagen 1977
Available Format: Vinyl Record
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Barney Whittaker
Hailing from Warwickshire, Barney is a twenty-something musician with a burning passion for sounds that entice as well as grooves that swing. He undertook a BA English Language & Linguistics at King's College London, graduating in 2022. Having promoted jazz and folk artists and performers throughout the West Midlands and the Greater Manchester area, he now sings on Sundays in a church choir, plays double bass to anyone that’ll listen, and occasionally might bring out an Irish reel on the mandolin - but not without warning. He can also speak some French, if you ask nicely. Performing has dragged him from his humble beginnings in cosy local pubs to the prodigious stage of the Royal Albert Hall, and all the way back again. This is his first editorial role and he looks forward, with the help of everyone at Presto Music, to discovering the perfect beat.
