Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller announce 'Jazz on the Corner Two'

Eddie Piller and Martin Freeman have announced the return of their Jazz On The Corner compilation. It’s the second time the Acid Jazz Records founder and the Hollywood actor have teamed up to share some of their favourite jazz music.

Following the success of Jazz On The Corner in 2018, the nattily titled Jazz on The Corner Two includes songs by Patrice Rushen, The Jazz Crusaders, Roy Ayers and Chet Baker, as well as contemporary names like Emma Jean-Thackray and Nicola Conte. **

Reflecting on the album, Martin Freeman claimed, “…going through my records again for things that haven’t appeared on loads of comps (as far as I know of anyway) is a fine excuse to do my favourite thing and pretend it’s work.”

Meanwhile Piller alludes to his youth detailing, “From the moment I first heard Gilles Peterson on pirate radio back in the mid-eighties I fully embraced the underground London Jazz scene. It took me back to my childhood, accompanying my dad to jazz pubs like the Cauliflower in Ilford. Later, reminiscing of DJ’s whilst frequenting the likes of Upstairs At Ronnie’s and other word-of-mouth Soho jazz spots".

Watch Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller talking to Chris Philips about the experience of buying records (as well as Martin being mistaken for Gilles Peterson):

Even prior to setting up Acid Jazz Records some thirty years back, Eddie Piller was championing new artists, whether spinning tracks in clubs, mentoring fledgling acts and presenting the forefront of the UK soul jazz scene. It’s that ongoing movement that first brought the pair together whilst appearing on a radio show and despite busy itineraries have both mined their collections to present a concise and varied compilation.

Full tracklisting:

Disc 1 – Martin Freeman

1. Stanley Turrentine - The Magilla

2. Nina Simone - I’m Gonna Leave You

3. The Jazz Crusaders - Tough Talk

4. Roberta Flack - Compared To What

5. Duke Pearson - Gira,Girou (Round and Round)

6. Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Summer Days

7. Roy Ayers - A Tear To A Smile

8. Les McCann - Us

9. Johnny Mercer – That Old Black Magic

10. The Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde

11. Horace Silver - Tranquilizer Suite Part 4: Perseverance and Endurance

12. Chico Hamilton - Conquistadores

Disc 2 – Eddie Piller

1. Emanual K Rahim & The Kaliqs – Al Amin (The Knower)

2. Brian Auger Oblivion Express – Freedom Jazz Dance

3. Gene Ammons – Jungle Strut

4. George Benson – Shape Of Things To Come

5. Chris Earland – Leaving This Planet

6. Emma Jean-Thackray – Ley Lines

7. Nicola Conte – Caravan

8. Lorez Alexandria – Nature Boy

9. Chet Baker – Do It The Hard Way

10. The Lyman Woodard Organisation – Creative Musicians

11. The Bukky Leo Quintet – Rejoice In Righteousness

12. Patrice Rushen – Haw Right Now