Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Monday, March 08, 2021

Album review: Logan Richardson - Afrofuturism

A big wake up and antidote to my normal reserved fare of ECM, Scandi and standards, with this blockbuster release by Whirlwind from Logan Richardson, the NYC alto saxophonist, composer and producer.  He is also the current voice of Afrofuturism (see an overview here), a movement taking African history and aesthetic, fused with the modern, science fiction, and in the case of early proponent Sun Ra, outer space travel! Arguably the movement peaked in the 70s, but is now resurgent, energised by hiphop, electronica and more, arriving via Kamasi Washington to this album by Richardson’s risk taking exploratory collective.

The album is an intriguing and attention-holding programmed collage of substantive ensemble pieces, interspersed by short sonic interludes of spoken “scraps of found audio”, electronica and historical references.

The dominant voices are Richardson’s powerful, sustained sax layered with programmed keyboards, driven by a maelstrom of drumming from Cory Fonville,  best known for his work with Christian Scott. The Birth of Us lays down the repeated, heavy anthemic style for the headline songs, with thunderous propulsion, punctuating sustained, shifting synths.  

Trap throws in a whole array of filthy beats, while a synth fest dominates Photo Copy. That’s not to say there are no reflective moments, which I feel are often missing from Kamasi or Scott’s work, so Sunrays casts cooler light, with piercing sax over a calmer but constantly shuffling beat. Other voices are showcased, with multi-tracked strings, over-driven guitar and emotive vocals.

An imposing and exciting statement emerges from this busy and sometimes over-produced symphony of modern times - watch for more focused future visions from where this came from!

Chris K

Try/buy CD, vinyl,digital. 

Recorded July 2019/September 2020, releases March 12, 2021.

Logan Richardson (alto sax, piano, keys, synths); Igor Osypov (electric, acoustic guitars), Peter Schlamb (vibes, keys, key bass); Dominique Sanders (bass, key bass, production); Ryan J. Lee (drums, bass); Corey Fonville  (drums); Laura Taglialatela (vocals);  Ezgi Karakus (strings).

No comments :

Blog Archive