BeatCaffeine’s Weekly Record Rundown 03.28.25
This week’s BeatCaffeine Weekly Record Rundown includes the much anticipated sophomore release from rising London-based pianist Sultan Stevenson, the latest brilliant offering from legendary UK producer and multi-instrumentalist Kaidi Tatham, an impressive new album from upcoming vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, and an eclectic full-length from keyboard wiz and Ezra Collective member Joe Armon-Jones.
Sultan Stevenson — ‘El Roi’
(Edition Records)
Breaking through onto the international scene with his highly acclaimed 2023 debut Faithful One, Sultan Stevenson has quickly become one the most compelling rising stars in jazz. The London-based pianist returns with his much-anticipated sophomore album, titled El Roi. Building off the foundation of the last recording, which also takes inspiration from legends like McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, and Geri Allen, this brilliant new release continues to push his sound forward to new heights with virtuosic levels of musicianship from his core trio, which includes bassist Jacob Gryn and drummer Joel Waters, and guest trumpeter Josh Short and UK jazz great and saxophonist Soweto Kinch. The session flows well throughout, from adventurous uptempo pieces to more reflective meditative works. Another impressive outing from a pianist that is well on his way in establishing himself as the next great jazz pianist of his generation.
Kaidi Tatham — ‘Miles Away’
(First Word Records)
Legendary Belfast-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Kaidi Tatham, who has been a pioneer among both the Broken Beat and UK jazz scenes for decades, returns with his sixth full-length offering, titled Miles Away. Similar to many of his previous records, the 10-track album see’s Kaidi handling all of the instrumentation himself, brilliantly fusing together spacey keys and warm-tone Rhodes grooves, jazz-funk, futuristic cosmic tones, electronic textures, mind-bending drum patterns and a touch of complementary vocal melodies. Another masterful recording from one of this generations greatest artists.
Sasha Berliner — ‘Fantôme’
(Outside In Music)
Rising Los Angeles-based vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, who’s originally from the Bay Area, has released her third, and arguably best full-length recording to date, titled Fantôme. On this session, Berliner is joined by a superb cast of musicians that include pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Jongkuk Kim, along with guests trumpeter David Adewumi, saxophonist Rico Jones and pianist Lex Korten. Great from start to finish, the ensemble is truly hitting on all cylinders, incorporating adventures arrangements and dynamic rhythms that allows each musician to build off each other throughout each piece. With each and every album, it becomes very clear that Sasha Berliner is one of today’s most forward-thinking jazz artists.
Joe Armon-Jones — ‘All The Quiet (Part I)’
(Aquarii Records)
One of the most prominent and leading voices among the London jazz scene, keyboardist, producer and songwriter Joe Armon-Jones, who is also known for his work in Ezra Collective, returns with part one of a two-part album release, titled All The Quiet. Continuing to push his own music into new territories, this superb 10-track album fuses together his keyboard wizardry with jazz-funk, dub, hip hop, and soul in a way that all feels cohesive and original. There might not be another pianist that captures the vast dynamism of today’s UK music scene more authentically than Joe Armon-Jones.
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