Malcolm Strachan - About Time - ITI Music

Scottish jazz trumpeter Malcolm Strachan releases his first stateside album, About Time through ITI Records. Nodding slightly to the late 1960s classic Blue Note Records jazz, where soul and funk beats are at the heart of the arrangements. The album is a collection of original compositions, all written and arranged by Malcolm, which are firmly rooted in the classic acoustic modern jazz style typified by the great 60’s and 70’s recordings on the legendary Blue Note Records label. A nice variation of themes and tempos featured throughout the album. From full-on Latin vibes to beautiful ballads, soul-jazz grooves to cinematic soundtrack flavors, all woven together by a great group of experienced musicians. Malcolm’s core quartet is himself on trumpet/flugelhorn, fellow Haggis Horns members George Cooper (piano) and Erroll Rollins (drums), plus Courtny Tomas on double bass. Featured guests are Atholl Ransome on tenor sax (The Haggis Horns), Rob Mitchell on baritone sax (Abstract Orchestra) and Danny Barley on Trombone. Strings are courtesy of Richard Curran and the percussionist is one of the finest session players in Europe, Karl Vanden Bossche (Incognito, Robert Palmer, Joss Stone, The Gorillaz, Sade).

by Kim Giles

The Jazz Defenders - Memory in Motion - ITI Music

Following up on their #7 JazzWeek Chart hit Scheming, The Jazz Defenders return with their latest new release – Memory In Motion. Led by one of the UK’s most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders are a group born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz, drawing on a wealth of inspiration to craft their own raw and vibrant compositions. Having played several shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club as well as many other prestigious venues in the UK, they continue to electrify audiences with their energy and virtuosity. As The Jazz Defenders continue to distinctly ‘defend’ the legacy of some of the classic hard bop greats such as Horace Silver, Lee Morgan and Art Blakey, they are beginning to evolve their modern soul jazz slant to combine solid grooves and catchy horn lines with a collaborative and all-encompassing sound, fusing soul, jazz, hip hop, soundtrack and groove into a masterful union that leaves audiences mesmerized. The Jazz Defenders are making a name for themselves that should provide them with worldwide acceptance, either in Prague or Brooklyn.

by Kim Giles