Record Reviews

ISSIE BARRATT`S INTERCHANGE ~ DONNA`S SECRET FUZZY MOON 015 (Barcode: 5065001308123) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is a wonderful and sadly criminally obscure album by British Jazz baritone saxophonist / composer / bandleader Issie BarrattFind albums by this artist and her all female ensemble / Big Band called InterchangeFind albums by this artist, which performs compositions commissioned from female Jazz composers. The album presents eight tracks, including one composed by Barratt, one by pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist (who also plays piano on this track) and the rest by other composers from among the band members or originating outside the band. The music is brilliant modern Jazz, often quite intricate and multi-layered, with elaborate arrangements and vocal parts, all bringing fond memories of the British Jazz orchestral recordings of the 1960s / 1970s. The album offers a vast amount of musical themes, which requires several listening sessions to comprehend and fully appreciate the depth of the music and its complexity. The instrumental and vocal performances are all exceptional and although the names of the ensemble members are rather anonymous, they are all first class and highly able musicians, which is obvious in view of the complexity of the music recorded on this album. If Barratt’s intention was to prove that women are able to play Jazz of the highest artistic and aesthetic level, she certainly made her point, but of course we all knew that female Jazz is a power not to be ignored. Overall, this is a magnificent album, which should be heard not only by all British Jazz lovers, but by all Jazz connoisseurs the world over. I often wonder how albums, which deserve the highest regard and offer truly meaningful music, can be so ignorantly overlooked and buried among the heaps of mediocrity. Well, go for the best and try to grab a copy of this gem, and thank me later…

Updated: 24/01/2026Posted: 24/01/2026

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