Bassist Martin Wind doesn’t play fair. In fact, he stacks the deck. And for that, we should all be happy.

JazzTimes Magazine Review by Emilie Pons, January 2026

From the first notes of Martin Wind’s Stars, a relaxed bonhomie among its four musicians makes itself apparent... Stars is the first of five albums that commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Newvelle label, known for its impeccably recorded vinyl releases.

ukvibe.org Review - January 2026 - by Mike Gates

Martin Wind’s long-gestating dream project, “Stars”, is a fascinating and often touching album that glows with maturity, restraint and deep musical empathy.

Jazz Views review by Tim Larsen - Jan 15, 2026

"Stars succeeds simply because the playing feels good from start to finish—melodic, unforced, and full of small moments that keep revealing themselves as you listen."

The Best of Jazz - January 2026

"Stars really feels like a gathering: generous, unhurried, and deeply grounded in the pleasure of playing together. It is moving in its clarity, with a direct sense of accessibility that allows you to settle quickly into the heart of this warm, beautiful album."

JazzNu - Review by Jeroen de Valk - January 2026

"The eerie outside world may stay outside when playing the album Stars. “The world news is already a daily torment; for once, let’s bring nothing but beauty into the living room,” Martin Wind must have thought. And yet current events still play a role, in the sense that the musicians deliberately distance themselves from them. Fighters for freedom may find a moment of distraction with this album, late in the evening."

Papatamus Redux - Published by Abe Goldstien on January 29, 2026

"But the best reason why Stars fits this release so well is the music — it shimmers, shines and glows, guiding you through a galaxy of simple, yet sophisticated stratospheric swing."

All About Jazz - review by Pierre Giroux on January 30, 2026

"A chamber-jazz glow hangs over Stars a sessions featuring renowned bassist and composer Martin Wind, with a quietly luminous quartet including legendary pianist Kenny Barron, exceptional clarinetist Anat Cohen, and imaginative drummer Matt Wilson. The album feels less like a blowing date than a late-night conversation among old friends, where each phrase is weighted with warmth and meaning."

Paris-Move - review by Thierry De Clemensat on Feb. 1, 2026

"Wind belongs to that select group of artists for whom structure, balance, and intention matter as much as virtuosity.

It is graceful. It is refined. And it reminds us of a form of musical intelligence we could stand to hear far more often."

Rating: A MUST / INDISPENSABLE

Another "All About Jazz" Review - by Dan Bilawsky on Feb. 5, 2026

"Beyond being one of the music's premier bassists, Martin Wind is a creatively driven composer and leader—a seemingly bottomless font of expression in action—and his work most certainly represents the breadth, and breath, carried in his name."

Dan also reviews Martin's upcoming release "September" on Laika Records

"WINNING SPINS" Review - by George Kanzler from Hot House Jazz Magazine - Feb. 2026 issue

Stars, Martin Wind (Newville), the quartet album with Kenny et al, is from the vinyl only label Newville, but is also available as a download. It features a mix of standards, including two lesser-known Duke Ellington titles, 1936's "Black Butterfly," and "The Feeling of Jazz," from Duke's quartet album with John Coltrane.

George also reviews Martin's upcoming release "September" on Laika Records

"CD HotList" Review - by Rick Anderson - March. 2026

...there’s a pleasing warmth and dryness to the production, and you can hear both the confidence of these veteran players and their obvious pleasure in being in the studio together. Recommended to all jazz collections.

"Couleurs Jazz" Review - By Thierry QUÉNUM - Feb 27, 2026

This is a beautiful recording, featuring music performed with fervor by four seasoned instrumentalists who are totally dedicated to showcasing this timeless jazz.

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