Greg Foat teams up with Finnish saxophone great Eero Koivistoinen for Feathers

Legendary Finnish jazz saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen greatly enhanced Greg Foat's CTI-style Feathers album for Jazzaggression. 

Here's the scoop...

British keyboardist Greg Foat recently traveled to Finland, teaming up once again with the Jazzaggression label to unveil “Feathers.” Building on the success of “Gone to the Cats,” the collaborative trio date with Aleksi Heinola and Teemu Åkerblom, “Feathers” follows a similar formula while expanding its musical horizons. 

“Feathers” introduces an even larger cast of Finnish musicians, including the notable inclusion of Finnish saxophone legend Eero Koivistoinen on tenor saxophone and the talented Ilmari Heikinheimo on percussion. Recorded over a stormy long weekend in mid-October 2022 at Jazzaggression’s in-house Studio Pelto, the album strikes a balance between precomposed tracks and spontaneously created pieces.

Devotees of Greg’s earlier releases are in for a treat, as “Feathers” skillfully merges his signature atmospheric touch with an expanded synthesis of sounds. Imagine the legendary Eero Koivistoinen infusing his prowess into the monumental jam “Riding the Breeze,” while tracks like “Feathers” and the contemplative “A Prayer for Love” showcase a downtempo elegance that lingers in the air.

Yet, “Feathers” doesn’t stop there—it delivers captivating jazz classics as well. Experience “The Sandpiper,” a bluesy minor jam reminiscent of the golden era of CTI albums, or delve into the engaging rhythms of “Inconsequential Narrative” and the thematic intrigue of “As the Crow Flies.” A particularly enchanting aura envelops “When All Is Said and Done.” Its ephemeral minimalistic essence captures a spontaneous late-night allure, compelling the engineer to “Keep the tape rolling…”—the kind of magic that can only be conjured in the moment.

With “Feathers,” Greg Foat brings his animalistic trilogy of albums on Jazzaggression Records to a triumphant close, possibly delivering his most exceptional recording yet.

Album comes limited to 1000 copies, sealed with hype sticker and hold a coloured insert with photos documenting the recording, with info and digital download of album. Get a copy directly from Jazzaggression right here. Listen to some snippets via Soundcloud right here. 

Check out "In The Dog House" off Greg Foat's 2019 mini-album Gone To The Dogs and "Valley Of Black Cats" off 2021's Gone To The Cats album followed by a performance by the Greg Foat Group (with Rob Mach on tenor saxophone and Trevor Walker on trumpet) of "Bright As The Sun" off the Dark As The Sun album for Jazzman Records below. 

Christian Reim Sextet's performance at Molde '73 discovered

Norway's JazzAggression recently found a tape of Christian Reim Sextet's Mona Lisa suite from 1973!

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A post-bop suite created by Christian Reim Sextet for the Molde Jazz Festival in 1973 featuring a line-up of Norway's top players: Calle Neumann - alto saxophone, Knut Riisnæs - tenor saxophone/flute, Ditlef Eckhoff - trumpet, Terje Venaas - bass and Espen Rud - drums. Christian Reim who plays piano delivers 6 original parts starting with a lovely melodic theme and further incorporates elements of avant-garde, psychedelia, modal jazz and folk. Recently found loft tape, originally recorded in fantastic quality in 1973, never before released. Limited to 500 vinyl copies. Listen to some snippets right here. 

Second EP from Finnish jazz combo Oiro Pena due May 30

Finland's acclaimed JazzAggression label is releasing Antti Vauhkonen's 4-song Oiro Pena 2 EP as a 10" limited to 350 copies. 

Here's the scoop...
Finnish saxophonist/composer Antti Vauhkonen (Soft Power, Melufantti, Kasler Häsler) is back with 4 new tracks from his Oiro Pena collective, Vauhkonen handles most of the instrumentation but collaborates with J.Hulmi on piano and K. Koskenharju on bass, guitar, and percussion on two of the tracks. A well-balanced showcase of four instrumental songs, with the same energetic and subtle feeling as their first release. Listen to the snippets below followed by "Pritzch" from Oiro Pena's excellent s/t debut EP and the title track from Soft Power's new Brink of Extinction album.

Oiro Pena 2 10" EP is limited to 350 numbered copies and comes with a digital download code insert! You can pre-order your copy from the Jazzaggression label right here.

Jazzaggression

Ultraääni

Norwegian spiritual jazz gem from Jan Simonsen Quintet due in March

Jazzagression is putting out an unreleased 70s set by the Jan Simonsen Quintet – feat. members of That's Why, En Tiempo & Ruphus –  on March 2. 

Here's the scoop...
Jan Simonsen Quintet was an active mid-seventies, norwegian jazz group, drawing up influences from Herbie Hancock to McCoy Tyner the group's very rhythmical approach fell positive with the crowd and landed them regular gigs at the famous Club7 venue in Oslo, the group also performed at Molde Jazz 1976. In Winter that same year the group recorded these four tracks to reel using Asker Church for maximum reverb effect and broaden the acoustics. Jazzaggression is pleased to present these 4 tracks on vinyl for the first time, with one bonus track (digital). Vinyl comes in a special heavy paste-on sleeve with printed inner sleeve containing full story and photos. Limited to 500 copies – out March 2. Pre-order it right here. Listen to clips below.

Electronic jazz home recordings of Pedro Ruy-Blas unearthed by JazzAggression

Here's the scoop from JazzAggression:

Spanish Maestro Pedro Ruy-Blas is a cherished composer and singer in Spain, well known for his part in the 70s fusion band Dolores. Since the dawn of electronic music making and home studio recording, Pedro bought the latest equipment and started making his own music. Cyber Dolores features a varied selection from his own tapes dating 80's and 90's - It's DIY Electronic Jazz music emphasizing organic textures and utilizing the latest of Midi and sequencing tools, echoing those days of Dolores. Listen to a selection of snippets from the album below. 

Greg Foat, Paul Armfield & Ken Black have Gone To The Dogs

Sound library fans will enjoy Brit jazz keyboardist Greg Foats' trio set for JazzAggression. 

Here's the scoop...
A dedication to man’s best friend, GONE TO THE DOGS is the result of a surprise collaboration between renowned UK pianist Greg Foat, bassist Paul Armfield and drummer Ken Black. Greg had initially booked Red Squirrel studios for another project but was left alone in the last minute, luckily Paul and Ken came to the rescue and this is the result, 4 original tracks – completely improvised with a strong groove backbone and Greg on the Rhodes spicing it up with additional Roland Juno 106 interplay. A surprisingly fresh listen! Limited to 500 copies, UK type sleeve and laminated front, out May 31st on JazzAggression. Listen to snippets below.

Unreleased 70s jazz recordings from Montreal's Quintonal due in February!

Jazzaggression's 2LP collection of Quintonal's 1975/76 basement sessions is out February 5th.