You will find here a selection of jazz albums (and tracks) released in February 2021 that got our full attention.

February 2021 – Jazz Selection

“The highlight here may be Coltrane’s “Wise One,” where the two stretch out a bit on the thirteen-minute rendition. Shepp’s tenor is robust yet delicate, and Moran’s approach gets roisterous in support. “
— Mark Corroto @AllAboutJazz

Archie Shepp: saxophone, tenor; Jason Moran: piano
Release date February 5, 2021

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“London-based trio, St. Barbe, takes the harmonic and rhythmic language of jazz and melds it with a visceral rock energy”

James Maltby: guitar; Edwin Ireland: bass guitar; Floyer Sydenham: drums.
Release date February 5, 2021

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“‘The Rat’ is an intense contemporary jazz tune featuring sought-after Israeli trumpeter Itamar Borochov (Yemen Blues), and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Qmillion, known for his work on Robert Glasper’s ‘Black Radio’.” [read here]

Itamar Borochov: trumpet; Shay Hazan: bass; Noam Cherchie: drums
Release date February 10, 2021

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“Imagine all the shadows of the art cover starting moving, enlightened by the fire dancing around”. Read our review: FIRE! – defeat

Mats Gustafsson: saxophone; Johan Berthling: bass; Andreas Werliin: drums.
Release date February 12, 2021

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““To Stanko” is Bro’s hushed tribute to the late, great Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, who featured the guitarist in his quintet for the ECM album Dark Eyes.”
— ECM

Jakob Bro: guitar; Arve Henriksen: trumpet, piccolo trumpet; Jorge Rossy: drums.
Release date February 12, 2021

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“Delbecq is a multi-awarded Parisian pianist and composer, a trendsetter who persists in developing his ideas in a very rhythmic and multi-layered approach, bringing the soul of jazz to John Cage’s prepared piano.”

Benoît Delbecq: piano
Release date February 12, 2021

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“Storytelling trumpeter Pelt boldly crosses genres and ages with agile contemporary bop, ballads and spoken word passages”
— John Fordham

Jeremy Pelt: Trumpet; Chien Chien Lu: vibraphone; Victor Gould: piano; Vicente Archer: bass; Allan Mednard: drums; Ismel Wignall: percussion; Brandee Younger: harp.
Release date February 12, 2021

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“This album is Jazzy, it’s Latin and it’s Cuban, it’s beautifully melodic and at the same time irresistibly energetic. Most importantly, It is sure to touch anybody with a bit of fire in their hearts.” … yes!

Arnan Raz: tenor saxophone; Eyal Hai: alto saxophone; Hillel Salem: trumpet; Scott Colberg: bass; Joel Mateo: drums; Kofi Hunter: percussion; Daniel Meron: piano (#5).
Release date February 19, 2021

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“Now the venerated drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist, and composer returns with Samba de Maracatu, a sterling set of original compositions, standards, and pieces by Shorter, Hutcherson, and Horace Silver”
— Blue Note

Joe Chambers: drums; Brad Merritt: piano; Steve Haines: bass, acoustic; Stephanie Jordan: voice/vocals; MC Parrain: voice/vocals.
Release date February 26, 2021

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“A late work of a revolutionary musician. And a celebration of simplicity and the sheer delight in melody, love, and joy.”
— ACT

Joachim Kühn: piano
Release date February 26, 2021

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Jazz February 2021 – Albums List

• St. Barbe – Shapeless (Self-release)
• Fire! – Defeat (Rune Grammofon)
• Joe Chambers – Samba De Maracatu (Blue Note)
• Arnan Raz – 7 Days (Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit)
• Archie Shepp & Jason Moran – Let My People Go (Archie Ball)
• Jakob Bro, Arve Henriksen, Jorge Rossy – Uma Elmo (ECM Records)
• Joachim Kühn – Touch the Light (ACT)
• Yoni Mayraz – The Rat (Self-release)
• Benoît Delbecq – The Weight Of Light (Pyroclastic Records)
• Jeremy Pelt – Griot – This Is Important! (High Note)

The entire year is summed up in the Best Jazz 2021 post.

Playlist

Listen to these tracks on our Spotify playlist here.

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