Kim Faulks And Jacqueline Sweet

Following two critically acclaimed John Parish-produced studio albums – New Long Leg (2021) and Stumpwork (2022) – South London’s Dry Cleaning take a moment to reflect on their journey and pay homage to their roots with the release of their first two EPs, now remastered and reissued together on one single record with the original artwork and lyric sheet. Guitarist Tom Dowse, drummer Nick Buxton, and bassist Lewis Maynard had been friends and musical collaborators for years, and invited mutual friend Florence Shaw – a visual artist, picture researcher and drawing lecturer – to join the band in 2017.

Franco-African jazz singer Cecile Verny, who entered the German jazz charts in Spring 2005 at #13 with her album European Songbook, has set yet another milestone with The Bitter and the Sweet, continuing the tradition for which her ensemble has long been celebrated. Verny applies African roots, French song tradition, and smooth jazz "scat-robatics" to unite the rhythmic, pulsing compositions of her quartet. Here, her incredible voice sounds more personal than ever. Excellent musicians accompany her, highly inspired and very skilled, and their performances demonstrate modern jazz at its best.