Jonatha Brooke – Careful What You Wish For 
– Great songs, great production, great performances. Jonatha Brooke has loads of talent and writes the kind of stuff that would almost tempt me to go back to rock. Oh and for you guitar heads – she plays an Olsen! Ms Brooke rarely puts a foot wrong, but this album is possibly her best.
Pink Martini – Hey Eugene! – Few bands can manage to be consciously genre-defying without a hint of irony or pretention – but Pink Martini manage it. The title track is probably the best thing on the album, but everything else is solid and inventive. A contender for album of the year.
Jazzanova – Homecooking – Eclectic and slightly hit an miss nujazz with a twist of 70s soul. The packaging suggests summer lunches (complete with recipies for the performers favourite dishes, but the heart of this disk is groovy, late-nite, easy-listening.The best track is Just paradise, featuring regular Jazzanova collaborator, Clara Hill.
Motian, Frisell and Lovano – Homecooking – This trio’s 2005 release, Motian, Frisell and Lovano – I Have the Room Above Her is one of the most outstanding jazz albums of this decade. So, it is good to hear them back together again. This time Frisell’s guitar tone is larger, more forward and effected; Lovano’s playing is even more restrained and Motian’s rythmns are slightly busier (whilst still retaining that trademark space and ambiguity). Perhaps not as mesmerising as the trio’s last album, but this is still excellent music from one of the most rewarding jazz groups of today.
Various – What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves (1967-1977) – Unless you are either a) hate music, b) are bankrupt or, c) already have hundreds of original. late 60s and early 70s vinyl releases from Atlantic, Atco and Warners. If not, then you should seriously consider treating yourself to this exquistly boxed set. This isn’t some rushed cash-in job, but a real treasure – the songs have been carefully chosen for both their funkiness and obscurity, very well mastered and put together with a hip and informative booklet. A revelation.
