CD REVIEWS:

Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya/Sotho Blue (Intuition INT34332) This same band appeared at the Gateshead Jazz Festival in March with a horn section of three saxophones and a trombone playing over a tasteful rhythm section. During the lengthy concert it seemed rather too measured and stately but on CD, in shorter and perhaps more concentrated performances, it sounds much better with a lovely richness of sound.

Dan Block plays the Music of Duke Ellington (Miles High Records MHR8612) Subtitled “From his world to mine” and previously performed (at the Norwich Jazz Parties, for example) as the Unheard Ellington, this is a brilliant reworking of over a dozen of the Duke’s compositions.

Block himself plays superbly on various saxophones and clarinets and his arrangements present a wide range of Ducal works in wonderfully fresh settings. The whole album is a delight, to be played over and over again.

Matt Herskowitz/Jerusalem Trilogy (Justin Time JUST2392) An unbelievable mix of musical and cultural influences is brought together on this rather stimulating and inspiring disc. It successfully combines jazz and classical themes (from Chopin and Prokofiev) with Jewish and Arab styles in a cosmopolitan and contemporary mix.