I just thought I’d share some things that my ears have been loving recently…

First up is a new album from bassist-composer-producer Michael Olatuja called ‘Lagos Pepper Soup’, available here: https://michaelolatuja.bandcamp.com/

An incredible vision for an album, and soooo much joy. Here’s a video of one of the tracks called ‘Soki’ which features legends Dianne Reeves and Lionel Loueke

Next up is a piece called “i only bite because you make me” by Yshani Perinpanayagam, for piano synchronised to a perfect game of snake. It was written for “The Pixel Players” hosted by Royal Concert Hall Nottingham and the National Videogames Arcade, March 2019. I think this is just a brilliant, inventive piece of writing.

Next one… admittedly I’m a bit biased, this is a video of my good friend Louise McMonagle performing Heinz Holliger’s ‘Chaconne’ for solo cello. I’m writing Louise my own solo piece at the moment, so I’ve been checking out the details of this incredible composition, and Louise’s brilliant performance of it!

Finally, I’ve discovered these amazing string quartets by Eleanor Alberga… These are just EVERYTHING I want to hear in string quartet writing… Happy listening everyone!