Harvest of Highlights

  • March 2022 Playlist

    Given the horrendous unfolding world events at the start of March 2022, just sitting here writing a blog post to accompany the monthly playlist feels a rather privileged position to be in. People are fighting for their lives, losing their lives, refugees are fleeing across borders while property and architecture is bombed and obliterated at… Read more

  • February 2022 Playlist

    Firstly, for those who are following my albums of 2021 features, please understand the time I am taking in writing about my twenty favorites is simply down to the fact that this is how I like to do it. They are all worth spending some time with; proper listening undistracted by other goings on so… Read more

  • Greentea Peng – Man Made

    The reason music lovers such as I get labelled as “snobs” is because we are dismissive of many (not all) of the big selling mainstream names who receive mass acceptance as representative of current tastes. And yes, I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to pouring cold water on Ed Sheeran’s acclaim or… Read more

  • Reigning Sound – A Little More Time With

    It may only be 2014 since the Reigning Sound last released an album but still, ‘A Little More Time With’ did arrive in 2021 feeling like a reformation. Happily, unlike many bands who get it together again after a hiatus, this one returned strong and with barely a hint that they had ever been away.… Read more

  • Emma-Jean Thackray – Yellow

    One of the most infectious Jazz based debut records of the year, ‘Yellow’ introduces itself with ever increasing waves of cosmic vibrations on opening track ‘Mercury.’ As a scene setter, this sort of tells the listener all and nothing simultaneously. Yes, you may well deduce that what will follow is going to be something of… Read more

  • Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!

    As album titles go, ‘Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!’ certainly signposts the listener to what is going on within these grooves. This is the record in which Aaron Lee Tasjan lets his name ring aloud, showing the world what he can do without inhibition. You do not need gently easing in, no sales pitch, no preparation or… Read more