Dwight Trible - "What The World Needs Now Is Love (ft. Matthew Halsall)"

I have a pretty big love for old pop - particularly the likes of Burt Bacharach who wrote this classic with Hal David, and an equally large love for great jazz vocalists so this cut is a no-brainer.

Trible sounds like Terry Callier on this cover, and the strings (harp!) swell beautifully behind him.

Can't wait to hear the rest.

Matthew Halsall - "Breathless"

Something beautiful and mellow to ease you into the week. I've previously mentioned Manchester's Halsall in association with the Gondwana Orchestra, but  On The Go (out May 20th) is credited to him alone.

Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra - "As I Walk (ft. Josephine Oniyama)"

Orchestral jazz sometimes gets a bad rap. I think it might be the association with schmatlz purveyors and the likes of Lawrence Welk, but let's try to remember that folks like Duke Ellington absolutely killed it back in the day while incorporating more than just 'traditional' jazz instruments. Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra are following in the footsteps of the Duke on "As I Walk."