GEOFF BOTTOMS applauds a version set amid the violent conflicts of the 19th century west African Oyo empire before the intervention of British colonialism
The Fascinating Adventures of Little Bee
Beans On Toast
BEANS ON TOAST, otherwise known as Jay McAllister, with his catchy alt-folk tunes, has carved out for himself a career of a bit of a north-east London folk hero. But now he’s writing songs for a different type of audience.
His latest studio album, The Adventures of Little Bee, is a bit of a unique one. Bringing some new friends on board — nurse Jaime Adamsfield and teacher Lily Adamsfield, and with help from the animated Little Bee — they have written and illustrated a collection of 10 short stories and songs for kids.
WILL STONE is frustrated by a performance that chooses to garble the lyrics and drown the songs in reverb
WILL STONE is impressed by a tour de force rendition of three decades’ worth of orchestral chamber pop
STEVE JOHNSON, CHRIS SEARLE and TONY BURKE review new releases from Steve Knightley, Jupiter & Okwess, Jason Palmer, Lisa Knapp and Gerry Driver, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata, Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey, Dan Sealey, Simin Tande, PAZ



