Ben

For today's John Coltrane centennial, I wrote 2,000 words re: the new archival release The Tiberi Tapes. Here are 19 to whet your appetite: "When I finally heard Tiberi’s tapes, the first words that leapt to mind were “revelatory,” “electrifying,” and “holy shit!” www.tabletmag.com/sections/art...

A fantastic read…

Matador Records to Release Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda Devotional Albums Full announcement on the label site: matadorrecords.com/blogs/news/m... Photo: Radha Botofasina #alicecoltrane

Later I’ll be playing The Balance for the umpteenth time. RIP to Abdullah Ibrahim. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Saw the majestic Tortoise at The Barbican and now when I grow up I think I want to be a vibraphonist.

This was three full days of wall to wall highlights, incredible music and some very cool shit. I loved it.

Fortunate to have seen (Swami) John Reis three times at The Portland Arms (twice in Hot Snakes). Last night’s gig (and the band’s shirts) were fantastic. This rubbish picture is the best I could do.

Sixty mesmeric minutes in the company of Brìghde Chaimbeul at The Junction 2

I saw Terry Reid play live twice (Cambridge and Norwich). Both gigs were, in some way, quite shambolic and pretty chaotic, but Terry was nothing less than absolutely captivating. RIP.

Here is my rather average picture from this evening’s absolutely exceptional Joan As Police Woman gig at the Cambridge Junction. What a trio.

Hear Morphine’s slide bass on a secret fan recording, now streaming in full. www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/07...

Cannot *wait* to listen to this…

I listened to a great deal of Ron Carter’s music whilst reading this excellent book, and it blows my mind that I still didn’t really scratch the surface of what’s out there.

@iammilliam.bsky.social Andy, can I be the umpteenth person to tell you this was a *superb* discussion. Loved it.

This evening’s entertainment. Can’t wait.

The Messthetics gig, with James Brandon Lewis, at The 100 Club in February was an absolute blinder - so to have the chance to see them again in Cambridge is a proper treat.

As a Mike Watt fan-boy, this is essential reading/listening:

Les Rallizes Dénudés: the rougher the recording, the better they sound.

This evening’s entertainment. Can’t wait.

This evening’s entertainment. Can’t wait.

David Lynch. Damn.

That feeling when you realise there’s an incredible gig coming up and you won’t be able to make it. Just gutted.

Oh yes.

The magnificent Califone at The Portland Arms last night. One of those gigs where I just felt enormously privileged to be able to watch an amazing band do their thing. (I nicked this pic off Instagram, BTW)

Ridiculously excited to be able to see Califone live within the next few months.

Myriam Gendron’s new album is exquisite.

Not sure you can post YouTube links here. But David Pajo remains a gift to the world and this is a great What’s In My Bag.

Really looking forward to reading the smart new English translation of Guillaume Belhomme’s book on Eric Dolphy.

Val Wilmer on DID. Essential listening. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Can confirm this book is an absolute beast and utterly, utterly gorgeous.

Had never heard of High Rise, or their album ‘Dispersion’, until this week… and now I don’t want to listen to anything else.

75 Dollar Bill - still the best damn band on the planet.

Happy New Muriel Grossman Day

Beautiful, exceptional stuff.

Completely missed, until now, that this fantastic Tubby Hayes documentary, A Man In A Hurry, is available to watch on Amazon Prime. A superb insight in to his genius and talent.

Last night: Brigid Mae Power and Steve Gunn at the Portland Arms. One of those gigs where you felt very fortunate to have been there to experience it.

Every bit the audiobook I hoped it would be

Still throwing money at Cambridge Jazz Festival gig tickets with wilful abandon.

An absolute peach.

L’Rain has the ‘Okay, So That’s What You’re Going With’ Album Title Of The Year Award properly in the bag

Going to use my inaugural blue sky post to say the new reissue of Talking Head’s ‘Stop Making Sense’ is absolutely lush.