Bop

Over recent years, trumpeter Mark Kavuma has been a busy man on London’s jazz scene, establishing his own ensemble, the Banger Factory, cutting five albums with assorted accompanists, and generally rousing the capital’s diverse talents. Kavuma likes inclusion: lineups featuring both old and young, the odd gospel choir, and the community big band Kinetika Bloco, which he credits with nurturing his youthful interest.His new album, in partnership with tenor saxophonist Theo Erskine, is a more intimate, small group affair,…

If you own a PS5 and have been fixing to take Apple Music for a spin, now is the time to do it — Sony is offering you up to six months to do it for absolutely free.Apple Music is available on a whole range of devices from iPhones to Macs to Apple Watches and yes, even the PS5. With more than 100 million songs and streaming being completely ad-free, Apple Music is a great way to both listen to the music that you love and find new music that you aren't already familiar with.Unlike so many offers, this one isn't limited to…

It’s appropriate that Marlon Williams is chilling in a rocking chair when we talk. The only furniture more suited to his heady and breezy third solo album, My Boy, would be a hammock. The title track is a perfect indication: a good-times radio hit, or “Māori disco bop” as Williams puts it, set to guitar played in Māori strum style (also known as jingajik, jungajuka and dumdejak, from which you no doubt get the idea). It’s a welcome salve after a few stagnant years, in which he – like most musicians – could not tour his…

Screenshot: Lucasfilm/LegoWe knew that “Weird Al” Yankovic wouldn’t just be appearing in the Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation special, but singing an entirely new song for it. And now that the special has arrived on Disney+ today, the full song has been released as well, and frankly? It rules.It’s a short song, but it gives me early Miley Cyrus/Carly Rae Jepsen vibes, and I mean that in the best way possible:“Weird Al” Yankovic - Scarif Beach Party (From “LEGO Star Wars: Summer Vacation”)Scarif, if you don’t recall, is the…