We lost some extraordinary Jazz talent over the past few weeks although i’m happy to say that they all lived to a ‘good’ age. RIP to Sonny Rollins, Abdullah Ibrahim & James Blood Ulmer.

UK guitarist Diedre Cartwright delivers with Mango Bango; vocalist extraordinaire and UK Jazz giant, Norma Winstone finally gets a release for her 1990 album A Timeless Place recorded with the NDR Symphony Orchestra. Powerful old school jazzy soul from Kyra, throwback to the Pop/Jazz of Peggy Lee or Julie London from Laufey and the immortal Queen of vocal Jazz given a reworking for the Verve Remixed series. Slick new Kongo Jazz from Kongo Dia Ntotila and more from Espen Borg Trio’s excellent “Nap Of The Earth” release.

If Salsa is your thing make sure to make it to The Roundhouse on July 8th for the farewell UK performance of the generational talent – across the arts and politics – that is Rubén Blades, essential collaborator with both Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe with an anthemic catalogue second to none (more info www.comono.co.uk).