It's the New Thing!
A first piece for UK Jazz News, and some links to other stuff
Many thanks to Sebastian at UK Jazz News, who’s very kindly (and humblingly, considering the discrepancy between the expertise of his readership and that of this chancer) given me the opportunity to write about some of the music I’m energised by for a considerably larger audience than is ever going to exist here. My first piece was published just before Christmas, and there are presently another couple in the pipeline.
While I’m in blowing-own-trumpet mode, here’s the other pieces I’ve done about music during 2025. They’re all for the redoubtable and increasingly essential The Quietus, who have also re-published several of my older anniversary pieces, as 20th birthdays become 25ths, 25ths turn into 30ths, and, in two cases, 35ths becomes 40ths. Oh dear. Well, if I’m going to have to be forcibly reminded of how advanced my years have become, at least it’s to strong musical accompaniment. Thanks to John, Luke, Bobby and Paddy for the work, the kind words, and the encouragement, as ever.
D’Angleo: Voodoo, 25th anniversary essay
Miles Davis: Dark Magus (Mobile Fidelity reissue) review
Emma-Jean Thackray: Weirdo review
Mary Sue and the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club: Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword review
Kokoroko: Tuff Times Never Last review
Tidiani Kone et T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: Tidiani Kone et T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo review
Makaya McCraven: Techno Logic/Hidden Out!/The People’s Mixtape/PopUp Shop review
And anniversary re-ups for pieces on Meat Is Murder, Me Against the World, Repeater, To the East, Blackwards, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Liquid Swords and Radio/Mama Said Knock You Out.
I’m always on the lookout for other opportunities to bang on about the music that moves me, so long as they don’t come with attached rights grabs or are contingent on “partnerships” with technology companies who see written work purely as grist for their dark satanic software mills. If they’re being offered by people who are decent to work with and for, that never goes amiss either. Commissioning editors with budgets, please send a stamped addressed envelope to the usual address.