jazz plus picks 002 | 23.03.16

A selection of our favourite tunes – this week guest edited by Felicity Evans.

Empirical

Forward thinking band Empirical collaborated with Benyoundes String Quartet for their most recent album ‘Tabula Rasa,’ and this tune is most certainly a favourite. No Empirical album sounds the same so we can’t wait to hear what cutting-edge sound will be featured on their new album, being released later this month.

Snarky Puppy

Classic favourites, Snarky Puppy, released a monster of a collaboration album earlier this year, and this catchy tune is one of our faves. Recorded live in New Orleans, this album has been a highlight of the year so far.

Donny McCaslin

This beautiful tune by New York saxophonist Donny McCaslin is a forward-thinking, creative piece of music, blending jazz and electronica to produce an amazing sound.

Esperanza Spalding

For Esperanza Spalding’s most recent album ‘Emily’s D+Evolution,’ she takes the stage as her alter ego Emily, providing a sound that we haven’t heard Esperanza explore before. This smooth jam titled ‘Judas’ sees Esperanza do what she does best, with catchy bass lines and beautiful, melodic vocal lines.

Yesa Sikyi

If you haven’t noticed, here at jazz plus HQ, we are huge fans of this London-born band – so much so that they are playing at our launch gig next week!  Hecticity is taken off their debut album ‘Vol. 1’, and the lilting quality of those finely blended horn lines is what puts this track firmly in the ‘cool down and chill’ section of #jazzpluspicks.