Tom Neale self-releases his new album, The Realm, a jazz-infused LP that represents a mixture of Neale's influences from electronic to modern jazz. It manages to take the listener on a journey from dark to light, exploring different soundscapes that reflect the artist's experiences growing up next to the ocean in North Cornwall...

First things first. If you're a lover of jazz, be it modern or old skool, you're going to find a lot to enjoy on Neale's The Realm. These nine tracks (34 min, 49 sec) take the listener on an epic voyage from nostalgia to a bright new future. If you live and breathe jazz then you're going to be smiling to yourself the entire way through this release. There are countless nods here and there to some of the genre's great recordings, but just when you think you have a handle on where Neale is heading... off he flies, letting the music take him, and us, in a new direction.

This, more than anything else, makes this essential listening for all lovers of jazz. And even if you normally aren't a great follower of the genre, it's melodic and engaging enough to embrace newcomers.

Neale works his magic here, and I can guarantee you'll be spellbound.

9

Nick Smithson