Jazz

Artemis
Arboresque
Blue Note 7528553; LP: 7529846

A third album from the Artemis collective, originally assembled by distinguished Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes in 2016 and first heard on record in 2020. The other founder members are trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Allison Miller, while saxophonist Nicole Glover joined in time for 2023’s In Real Time. As well as one composition from each member, there is a joyful take on Wayne Shorter’s ‘Footprints’ and an affectionately re-rhythmed ‘What The World Needs Now’ while the opener, ‘Smile Of The Snake’, is by one of Rosnes’s favourite pianists, Donald Brown. It’s a cliché to say that this supergroup has gone from strength to strength, but it’s the truth, as this is another must-hear. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Glebe
Gaudí
Daggio Records DR001; LP: DR001LP

Guitarist Kieran Gunter and pianist Chris Bland both graduated from Leeds College of Music before hitting the London scene. Co-leading Glebe, their music pulls in many directions, twisting and turning to mix fusion, rock, pop, theatre music and Latin, while a highlight is the suite-like ‘Kirkstall Abbey’ that celebrates a landmark of their home city. With fellow Leeds graduate Dom Pusey on saxophones and bass clarinet, Tom Smith on sax and flute, occasional harp by Tara Minton (who also contributes some of the alluring vocals), synths and lots of overdubbing, they’ve created a big production sound for an album that’s full of surprises yet totally accessible. SH

Sound Quality: 80%

Julia Hülsmann Quartet
Under The Surface
ECM 7528093; LP: 7545301

The German pianist’s well-known trio became a quartet when Uli Kempendorff joined for Not Far From Here. His visceral sax, often suggesting birdsong, is now seamlessly embedded in the group, as is clear even from the first cut, ‘They Stumble, They Walk’. Next comes ‘May Song‘, with sounds of nature as if heard across a quiet lake, and featuring Norwegian trumpet guest Hildegunn Øiseth, who plays on five numbers. As on previous albums, half of the pieces are Hülsmann’s, and half written by other quartet members, and all are thoughtful and engaging. With more of ECM’s reverberant ambience than usual, they’re also a sonic delight. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Oz Noy
Fun One
Criss Cross Jazz 1422

Known for his fusion/funk/rock power trio, the Israeli-born NY-based guitarist plays jazz standards too, and now with pianist David Kikoski joining bassist James Genus and drummer Clarence Penn, he’s recorded an album of them. He plays Davis’s ‘Milestones’ theme in chords and ‘Solar’ in 7/4, while Monk’s ‘Ruby My Dear’ becomes a bossa nova. Though Noy’s ‘Giant Steps’ has just the melody over simple chords, he closes the album with his own ‘Improv 1’, gently hinting at the ‘Coltrane changes’. But it’s his other original, the hugely enjoyable opener and title track, which shows what Noy can really do, as he takes flight like a supercharged Wes Montgomery. SH

Sound Quality: 85%