A day in the life : impressions of Pepper

"A Day In The Life: Impressions Of Pepper eschews preciousness for sonic freedom as the psychedelic standard-bearer is worked over by 12 jazz performers who spike the music with their own takes on the '60s classic ... The source material here is treated with respect (but not too much) and given careful consideration by some of the most innovative instrumentalists working today. Collectively, this an entertaining grip of songs we thought we all knew, but perhaps don't".

"Drummer and self-proclaimed "beat scientist", France-born/US-raised Makaya McCraven, who's heavily influenced by hip-hop rhythms (...) is being hailed by some tastemakers in rock mags as the saviour of jazz. Though it's an interesting listen, there's nothing Messianic about his latest album, Universal Beings, a sparwling double-set comprising jam sessions recorded in New York, Chicago, California and London (the latter is a live performance captured at Stoke Newington's now defunct Total Refreshment Centre). Listen out for notable cameos from Brits Shabaka Hutchings, Ashley Henry, and Nubya Garcia".

"While the spirit of the original source material is respected, each musician offers an interpretation stamped with their own musical DNA. What results is a truly kaleidoscopic array of performances, where psychedelic funk (Miles Mosley's Lovely Rita) collides with cosmic mellowness (Onyx Collective's Within You Without You), and grungy avant-jazz-rock (Antonio Sanchez's rendition of the title tune) is juxtaposed with meditative spiritual jazz (Shabaka & The Ancestors' Good Morning Good Morning). Horn blower Keyon Harrold also impresses on She's Leaving Home".