UP's favourite releases this week!


Kristi Stassinopoulou / Taxidoscopio / Heaven & Earth

Taxidoscopio is Greek singer Kristi Stassinopoulou's latest album released this week. The album is essentially a travel diary made up of songs composed whilst touring with her band. Clearly inspired by the cities and countries they visit (Israel, Armenia, India, Spain to name a few), Taxidoscopio is a diverse album made up of Byzantine and Arabic scales, Balkan backings, hints of flamenco sounds, intertwined with Greek traditions and instrumentation, rock and electronica. My personal favourite is "Nama Namaste" which sounds very much like an Indian pop mantra. Kristi Stassinopoulou and her husband-music collaborator Stathis Kalyviotis have managed to generate a lot of success in the international world music scene: Taxidoscopio was ranked third on the World Music Charts Europe in March and April this year. To find out more about Kristi Stassinoppoulou, click here.



Michel Camilo / Spirit of the Moment / Telarc Jazz

Dominican born jazz pianist Michel Camilo has released a new album Spirit of the Moment. He incorporates a new face to the existing trio (comprising already of Camilo, and Cuban bassist Charles Flores) – drummer, Dafnis Prieto. Prieto who is Cuban born comes equipped with an Afro-Cuban, jazz background and much experience, having collaborated with Henry Threadgill, Kip Hanrahan, Peter Apfelbaum and Chucho Valdex to name a few. Preito is versatile and this album demonstrates his ability to adopt and adapt to Camilo's wide ranging jazz playing styles. The album is strong and it is clear that all three musicians are classically trained as the album bears traces of classical perfection and technique as well as the flexibility and freedom of jazz rhythms, improvisation and harmonies. The album features tracks by Camilo himself ( a must listen are " Just Now", and the title track), as well as renditions of Wayne Shorter's "Nerfertiti", John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" (which shows off Camilo's virtuosity) and Miles Davis' "Solar" and " Nardis". In Camilo's words, "This album, for me, is a milestone. I believe it is a classic. After all of these other projects and experiences in the past years, I'm able to refresh and redefine my trio sound." And he has indeed.



Various / Act: 15 Magic Years / Act Music

Since its founding in 1992, ACT has been one of the most successful independent Jazz labels. ACT's 15 Magic Years is a celebration of its rich and diverse catalogue and each track has been specially chosen by the founder himself, Siegfried Loch. The compilation features artists: Michael Brecker, E.S.T. Viktoria Tolstoy, Nils Landgren, Norah Jones, John Lee Hooker and many more. Particular highlights are a stunning flamenco-jazz track "Calima" with Gerardo Nunez, Michael Brecker and Chano Dominguez taken from the album "Jazzpana II", and east meets west "Mangustao" with French Vietnamese guitarist Nguyen Le and vocals by Huong Thanh taken from the soul searching album " Tales from Vietnam".

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Have you heard any of these albums or heard any of these artists live? Do you know something great that's due for release in the next couple of weeks? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a comment!
MYO