Kenny Wheeler Legacy: Some Days Are Better – The Lost Scores (Greenleaf Music CDGRE 1113X)

Kenny Wheeler, the virtuoso trumpeter, achieved fame later in life, making his mark at 38 after a suggestion from John Dankworth to compose a suite during recovery from dental work. This led to the recording of Windmill Tilter (Fontana, 1969), though his true debut as a leader came with Song For Someone (Incus, 1973), which established him as a key figure in British jazz. Wheeler’s choice of collaborators was eclectic, drawing from various jazz and improv backgrounds, showcasing his versatility. He played with prominent bands led by figures like Mike Gibbs and Mike Westbrook, and also engaged with free jazz ensembles such as the Spontaneous Music Ensemble and Tony Oxley’s groups. His leadership in recordings, particularly under Manfred Eicher’s ECM label, solidified his legacy with albums like Gnu High (1975) and Music For Large & Small Ensembles (1990).

A comprehensive account of Wheeler’s life can be found in the new biography, Song For Someone: The Musical Life Of Kenny Wheeler by Brian Shaw and Nick Smart (Equinox, 2025). Smart, a trumpeter and head of jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, provides insights into Wheeler’s journey. The album Some Days Are Better – The Lost Scores features pieces from Wheeler’s archives, with scores that had not been heard since their original broadcasts decades ago. Notably, Evan Parker’s soprano solo on Some Days Are Better Suite and Norma Winstone’s lyrics on Sweet Yakity Waltz highlight the album’s exceptional quality, performed by the RAM Jazz Orchestra and Miami’s Frost Jazz Orchestra.

Music Soup Organ Trio: Upbeat Mood (Chicken Coup/Summit Records CCP7032)

This Greek organ trio from Athens delivers sophisticated jazz that consistently swings. Evgenia Karlafti’s Hammond XK3c organ captures the classic essence of the B3, while Nestor Dimopoulos adds Kenny Burrell-like guitar tones, all supported by Vagelis Kotzabasis’s precise drumming. Of the eight tracks, only Burt Bacharach’s My Little Red Book is a cover, with highlights including Korean Apartment, Around The World, and Fun Island.

Soft Machine: Softs (Esoteric Recordings ECLECLP2897)

This remastered vinyl release, recorded at Abbey Road, marks Soft Machine’s second album on EMI’s Harvest label from 1976. Following the departure of guitarist Allan Holdsworth, John Etheridge was brought in, joining Karl Jenkins, Roy Babbington, and John Marshall. Jenkins emerged as the primary composer, contributing most of the tracks. The three-part Tales Of The Taliesin showcases Etheridge’s dynamic playing, while Ban Ban Caliban features a compelling blend of Babbington’s bass, Marshall’s drumming, and Jenkins’ keyboards. The album culminates with the moving Song Of Aeolus and a vibrant duet between Etheridge and Marshall on The Camden Tandem, making this reissue a must-have for fans.

John Stein: Next Gen (JS Jazz 001 CD & Tiger Turn digital)

Guitarist John Stein dedicates this album to his grandchildren, featuring five original compositions that reflect their personalities. The upbeat track for Kai exemplifies this personal touch. The album also includes six standards like Lover Man and Misterioso, with Stein accompanied by bassist Ed Lucie and drummer Mike Connors, with whom he began rehearsals during the Covid pandemic. The set concludes with Wayne Shorter’s Infant Eyes.