The New Spirits Of Jazz

Older jazz sources may have been incorporated into techno, house, hip-hop and drum'n'bass in recent years, but this phenomenon hasn't stopped the sound itself from progressing independently, on its own terms. 'New Spirits' is compiled by nu jazz aficionado Sean McAuliffe and is proof, if any were needed that the sound can still send shivers up spines on demand. Opening with scatty, guitar strumming from Baby Mammoth and American Beauty soundtrack provider Thomas Newman, Spirits also boasts gloriously sultry, smoke-filled torch songs from S-tone Inc., Victor Davis, former Galliano chanteuse Valerie Etienne and Jimpster, covering Herbie Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage'. Best of all though, is Kinobe's contribution, 'Slip Into Something More Comfortable’, a cinematic excursion taking in live, jazzy instrumentation and a sensuous string section, proof that the newer strains of jazz keep progressing and pushing the envelope.