J-SONICS

As a whole, J-Sonics are fairly new to the London jazz scene, but the members of this slinky sextet, assisted by vocalist Grace Rodson, have many years’ experience between them in other projects, which means they can sound both fresh and highly polished. Their debut album is a tasty cosmopolitan medley of originals and Brazilian classics characterised by the twining of smoky brass lines from twin horns of saxophonist Matt Telfer and trumpeter Andy Davies, fretboard acrobatics from guitarist Clement Regert and the propulsive bass of Mike Flynn, all tied down by the drums of Gabor Dornyei, while Jon Newey’s beautifully judged percussion always drives the instrumental debate forward with just the right rhythmic texture: the maracas at the beginning of “12 Labours” shiver the spine. J-Sonics work at the frontier where the sharp edges of jazz meet the sultry, swinging melodies of Latin, especially Brazilian music, read more...