Back catalogue: All genres

Review: This staunch collection of songs compiled by Decca hears the very best works of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker "reimagined" by a varied selection of international talent, celebrating the legacy of one of American jazz's coolest ever piston-valvers. It's no surprise that Baker earned himself the name "Prince of Cool" as the concept of cool overtook the jazz world in the 50s and 60s; likewise, the artists chosen to reimagine Baker's many sweet treats here each epitomise that same offhand effortlessness which typified Baker's playstyle. Highlights include Dodie, who leads with a Latin percussive rekeying of 'Old Devil Moon', and mxmtoon, who brings equable guitar lurches to Baker's rather lost-his-cool confession of loving excitement, 'I Fell In Love Too Easily'.

Review: You will be hard-pushed to find a more eclectic record than this as it collides folk, samba, glittering pop, doom metal and rap with plenty of broken beats. DJESSE Vol. 4 concludes Jacob's thrilling series and was again crafted in his iconic home studio and around the world as a way of encapsulating his most vivid dreams. The unclassifiable music blends a spectrum of emotions into a joyous celebration of collective awakening and human potential and this deluxe edition includes four new tracks featuring collaborations with stars like Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, John Mayer, Lizzy McAlpine, Kirk Franklin, Brandi Carlile, Lawrence and Michael McDonald.

Review: Brian Eno, a towering figure in ambient music and a master of sonic landscapes, has shaped the contours of modern music through his production collaborations with iconic artists like David Bowie, Talking Heads and U2. His latest work with Beatie Wolfe, a conceptual artist from Los Angeles, encapsulates a career of endless reinvention. Recorded in London, the collaboration weaves together the worlds of alternative vocals and ambient soundscapes. 'Big Empty Country' serves as a vivid contrast between light and darkiits day and night versions embodying the very essence of Eno's immersive, evolving sound. Much like his work as part of Roxy Music and beyond, this release is both forward-thinking and introspective, grounded in a shared commitment to environmentalism and artistic exploration. It's a meditation on space, sound and feelingian unbroken thread in Eno's enduring legacy of artistic expression.

Review: Brian Eno, legendary master of ambient music and Beatie Wolfe, the LA-based conceptual artist known for her innovative blend of the physical and digital, unite for a collaborative sonic exploration. Throughout 2024, the two artists recorded material that bridges the boundary between deeply personal emotions and universal experiences, creating an evocative soundscape. The work pulses with the distinctive energy of Eno's ambient prowess, while Wolfe's haunting vocals add a layer of intimacy. On tracks like 'Milky Sleep' and 'Hopelessly At Ease', the listener is swept into a dreamlike state where time feels suspended. These moments of calm are balanced by the more urgent, yet still deeply meditative, 'Suddenly', which sways between serenity and tension. The delicate interplay between light and shadow becomes even more palpable on 'A Ceiling and Lifeboat', where the quiet sense of stillness gives way to a profound sense of rebirth. There's a sense of movement throughout the releaseiparticularly on 'Breath March', where rhythm and texture converge with palpable energy. Eno's atmospheric layers create space for Wolfe's voice to become a thread, guiding the listener through these reflective, almost sacred-feeling sonic spaces, where every note invites introspection and feeling.

Review: Decca Records, a champion of British jazz and particularly the homegrown talent of the 50s, 60s and 70s, continues its exploration of those eras. Curated by Mark Baxter, this is the perfect entry point for those unfamiliar with the virtuoso saxophonist, flautist, vibraphonist and composer Hayes, gathering ten tracks originally recorded for the Fontana label between 1961 and 1969 and answering to the question "Where do I start with Tubby Hayes?" Hayes was a significant figure in British jazz, a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work spanned various styles, from hard bop to modal jazz. This collection showcases the breadth of his talent, highlighting key moments from his prolific period with Fontana. It's a chance to hear Hayes at his peak, demonstrating his technical prowess and his distinctive musical voice. Here, seasoned jazz aficionados are offered a curated selection of familiar favorites, perhaps revealing new nuances with fresh ears. But its primary purpose is to introduce new listeners to Hayes's brilliance and by focusing on a specific era and label, the compilation offers a coherent taste of Hayes's evolution throughout the 60s

Review: An essential snapshot of late 60s British jazz, Off Centre snaps pianist and arranger John Cameron during a rare small group session, capturing a uniquely vivid, rhythmically complex album. Renowned for his soundtrack and library music work, Cameron brings that same cinematic flair to these tracks: 'Off Centre', 'Troublemaker' and 'Omah Cheyenne' are rowdily rich in texture, yet never overworked. His collaborators include the extraordinary Harold McNair, whose flute and tenor sax playing bring a kinetic energy that nods to his Roland Kirk influences, but with a cooler, more spacious edge. There's a strong modal undercurrent throughout, bringing the session a searching, propulsive edge, reflecting the sonic gemstone gleams that music magpie Gilles Peterson helped champion on his storied Impressed compilations.

Review: Cam Sugar and Decca present Jeymes Samuel's Spaghetti Western Collection, a curated set of rare Italian Western soundtrack gems from 1963 to 1972. British artist and director Jeymes Samuel, confoundingly known as The Bullitts, handpicked the 20 tracks, made the cover art, and topped it all off with two self-produced new singles; though his career spans Jay-Z and Baz Luhrmann collabs through to songwriting for Doja Cat and Jay Electronica, this collection hints at a deeper intel, marking out a hidden job lot of Italian Western scores, with their standoffish, twangy surf-rock guitars, and abstract, picture-ready surf rock psalmoi. With an exclusive booklet with interviews and archival material, it's the first of its kind, and an essential for film buffs and soundtrack collectors.