Launching in without so much as a drumroll, seasoned host Soweto Kinch immediately found his groove. If I were new to jazz I'd have felt welcome, drawn in by the host's natural warmth and the infectious rhythms of the opening track, Ezra Collective's "Love In Outer Space". The BBC's decision to feature jazz every weeknight on Radio 3 is surely a bold bid to develop an audience.
With the show's commitment to showcasing next generation British artists, it was striking how much of Monday's playlist was rooted in the spiritual and free jazz of the '70s. Kinch provided concise and accessible contextualisation for each piece, and I love the element of serendipity that comes with this format.
I'm not sure I'll have the stamina to tune in live each night, but with episodes available at BBC Sounds for up to a month after broadcast and full track listings in the show notes, I'll certainly be dipping in on a regular basis.
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