Recorded during the same session as the last two tracks of Matthew Halsall’s previous album Fletcher Moss Park (2012), When the World was One (June 2014) introduces seven new compositions featuring the Manchester-based composer, producer and DJ himself on trumpet and his “Gondwana Orchestra” – a seven piece ensemble. The instrument mix (bass, drum, saxophone, piano, harp and bansuri flute) and the reflective pace of the songs (7’’ to 12’’ long) all point eastwards, especially on songs like “Kiyomizu-Dera” and “Sagano Bamboo Forest” with the addition of a Japanese 13 string Koto harp (Keiko Kitamura). And the title of the final track (“Tribute to Alice Coltrane”) nicely positions the entire recording as an homage to the spiritual jazz movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Los Angeles, guitar virtuoso Scott Henderson has finished his new album "Vibe Station", the most ambitious project of his career! The highly anticipated instrumental album for guitar trio will be released on May 1, 2015. Scott Henderson's impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group TRIBAL TECH, leader of his own ground breaking trio, and sideman to some of the best jazz artists of their generation, including the great Joe Zawinul, has elevated him to the front ranks of both Jazz and Blues. Besides being a world class player and premier composer, Scott's trademark is his beautiful tone and striking ability to blend Blues, Rock, Funk, and Jazz, creating a soulful and unique voice on the guitar.

The ways in which passion is expressed in song vary from nation to nation, Kurt Elling maintains. Melody, language and style of expression are intimately connected and that’s why he sings these 12 songs from around the world in their original languages, with his jazz style subtly adjusted, and joined by an international cast of guests. It’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing this difficult feat off with such panache. The songs range from Bonita Cuba, featuring Cuban trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval to Loch Tay Boat Song, with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. The highspot for me is The Tangled Road: Elling’s lyric, Richard Galliano’s melody and a heart-stopping flugelhorn solo by Till Bronner.

Paul Hardcastle's Jazzmasters series reaches its sixth installment with this cool, rhythmic, jazzy collection, which is similar to its five predecessors. The album cover shows a sun setting over water, and that's a good indication that the music is intended to serve as the background to a tropic vacation, Beki Biggins occasionally contributes romantic or philosophical lyrics and sings them in a calm, emotionally disconnected voice reminiscent of Sade. Sometimes a flute or saxophone, courtesy of Chris "Snake" Davis or Rock Hendrix, plays a flowing lead line.