Xhosa Cole: On a Modern Genius (Vol 1) review
Ever since Monk's emergence among the midnight-jamming subversives of jazz's revolutionary early-1940s bebop movement, his rhythmically jagged, melodically circuitous music was revered – and even feared – by improvisers. His playing would ascend, only to suddenly stop with a crash or jump a sudden chasm; he would lay harmonic booby-traps that invited escapes in shambling melodic runs. Even the great John Coltrane described missing a Monk chord change as like falling into an empty elevator shaft. But Cole will surprise even the most devout buffs, and hook the most unsuspecting of jazz newbies too.
Cole accelerates the opening Trinkle, Tinkle into a whooping clamour of figures resolving on a dark, grouchily slurred low note, then elides the details of the composition without losing any of its ingenious design. An unusual lineup features a dynamically empathic guitarist in Steve Saunders, and the percussion is shared between drummer Nathan England Jones and the sharp chatter of Brooklyn tap dancer Liberty Styles' feet. Rhythm-a-ning opens on wriggling free-tenor figures before the melody emerges – first faithfully, then slewing and loose – and Misterioso enters on bassist Josh Vadiveloo's muscular solo pizzicato before the dreamy tenor theme. Criss Cross segues into Round Midnight before ending up at Brilliant Corners, and Cinematic Orchestra singer Heidi Vogel unwraps a majestic account of Duke Ellington's Come Sunday before a quietly ecstatic tenor-sax odyssey at the end. An erudite young sax master, Cole sounds as if he's already way down the road, but with plenty of fascinating detours to go.
UK double-bassist/composer Misha Mullov-Abbado sidestepped his illustrious classical-musical parentage and found his own contemporary-musical path in 2014, and with his fourth album, Effra (Ubuntu Records), he unveils an autobiographically heartfelt mix of hard-boppish and traditionally swinging grooves, minimalism and Latin jazz from his A-list London band.
Long-running Norwegian piano trio In the Country (including Susanna and the Magical Orchestra's Morten Qvenild) is joined by imaginative guitarist Knut Reiersrud, the crystal-clear vocals of Solveig Slettahjell, and recitations by Sidsel Endresen on Remembrance (Jazzland). Qvenild's compositions and Reiersrud's shimmering guitar sounds create luminously delicate contemporary settings for poems by the Brontë sisters and Emily Dickinson, and if jazz and improv aren't exactly conspicuous, this soundscape owes a lot to them.
German pianist/composer Julia Hülsmann continues to be one of the quietly ascending stars of the ECM label's roster, with her regular band plus Norwegian trumpeter Hildegunn Øiseth (captivatingly applying electronics to both the conventional instrument and to Norway's goat horn) on the playful and haunting Under the Surface.
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
EIF music reviews: Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble Up Late: Jazz Jam + more
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble ★★★★★ Queen's Hall The sound that this remarkable ensemble achieves in very old music is entirely new and startling. In Zebrowski´s Offertorium, from the early 17th century and as ancient as Poland can remember such things, trombones clucked along with a clarsach-like harp, voices declaimed Allelujahs, a violin played a plain line with the voice above decorating in fantastical detail over a deep bass. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble | Jess Shurte The musicians play and sing as though the music is written on fragile glass, eliciting emotions as clamorous as a vast symphony. We skipped two centuries adding two trumpets to Zebrowski´s Vesperae for Maria Virgine opening with a jaunty Dixit Dominus. Three bold male voices announced each section in excited unison, two violins climbed in extraordinary obligati – we were to hear more fantastical duets – and voices became more operatic as psalms and antiphoni wound round our ears. Clearly, we learned that this European enclave of liturgical greatness delivers a distinctive, highly personal sound far removed from English flutey refinement. Singers, players sang out in smiling exultation, rode on leaping lines and drew the audience in as though we were entitled, right now today, to celebrate a shared liturgical history of miraculous benedictions and heady prayers. A concert of wonder, inspiring joy. 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Restraint, polish and the fluent tempi that he and his orchestra perfect, all was set here for the kind of emotional reactions which swerve from the glorious to red-rimmed eyes. Novelties first: Puccini´s graduation piece with its youthful rehearsal of the themes which would dominate La Boheme to come. Then Trieste-born de Sabata´s explosive Juventus. Succeeding Toscanini in Milan and allegedly a terror on the rostrum, his music is tremendous, rattling with staccato, rowdy brass and Disney-like sweep. Suor Angelica, tragic, super-sentimental and musically stunning, is not a concert hall piece. While beautifully cast here with glamorous nuns, a superb Angelica (Carolina Lopes Morano) and a Principessa (Ksnila Nikolaieva) of dragon-like appearance and gestures, whose contralto blasted flames, a sense of shocking theatre was hard to achieve other than in the most devastating scenes. 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4 days ago
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‘Let the man leave' – Peter Crouch walks out of TNT Sports' Aston Villa vs Newcastle coverage to catch urgent flight
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Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
What is Gary Lineker doing now? TV future after Match of the Day 'confirmed'
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The synopsis continues: 'Every episode will see them face surprising reveals, unique games, and a compelling series arc – as each week two players will face The Duel, a dramatic show finale, which will see the loser leaving the competition for good.' In a statement after his next project was confirmed, Lineker said: 'I can't wait to host The Box. I've always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch, and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar. 'The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control.' On what viewers can expect, he teased: 'It's going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I'm excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action.' Lineker's new show, which is set to air in the UK in 2026, has already been greenlit for a second season following the success of its Norwegian edition, which has spawned several versions in other countries. And it's certainly got UK viewers intrigued, who took to social media following its announcement to express their excitement. 'It'll be fantastic to see him back so quickly', wrote @acotswoldvoice of Lineker's return to screens. However, others admitted their fatigue over 'another gameshow' being added to the broadcasting schedule, meaning Lineker might have to graft to win over cynics. The former Everton and Barcelona player announced his exit from the BBC during the early months of 2025 after he shared a post to his Instagram Story from the Palestine Lobby group, titled 'Zionism explained in two minutes'. His repost included an illustration of a rat, which has historically been used as an antisemitic representation of Jewish people, most notably in Nazi Germany propaganda. Lineker later 'apologised unreservedly' and swiftly deleted the post from his account, saying he was unaware of the reference and that posting it had been a mistake. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video After the former England striker left the Beeb but before joining the ITV gameshow, The Sun claimed that his prospective presenting gig on The Box would 'infuriate' his former employers. The publication reported that The Box had been gathering steam as TV networks search for the next answer to match The Traitors' dominance – see the latest attempt, Destination X. Touted as a possible successor to Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV after the Geordie duo put it on hiatus last year, The Box had apparently caused ITV to pursue Lineker for some time. The tabloid reported that ITV has been keen to snap up Lineker for some time and thinks this show, hailed as a mashup of I'm A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins, could be just the thing. A source told The Sun: 'The scheduling hasn't yet been confirmed, but filming takes place in the autumn, and the series is due to air early spring. 'It looks likely to get a Saturday night slot, though, but obviously it's all still to play for.' As well as Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates will replace Lineker and share the presenting role on Match of the Day from the new Premier League season. More Trending Speaking previously, broadcaster Chapman, 51, said he doesn't expect there to be a great deal of change to the programme. 'I know people keep saying, 'Oh, this will change, or that will change'. I genuinely don't think anything will change,' he mused. 'It will still be showing all the highlights and having a little bit of a chat. So, if you're wanting a lot of change, I suppose you're going to be a bit disappointed by it. View More » 'I think we still do the same thing and talk about football and have a laugh, and that'll be that.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC show that 'cost £30,000,000 axed after just one season' MORE: MasterChef fans in 'tears of laughter' at bizarre Gregg Wallace editing MORE: Strictly 2025 line-up confirms Arsenal star and Game of Thrones legend
