Saturday Night at The Howff with Jim Jasmine, Steg G and Graham Costello

howff /haʊf/. A favourite meeting place or haunt, especially a pub.

The Howff is Bella’s Boozer, your virtual lounge for the lockdown. Every week we bring you new releases and recommendations for your listening pleasure. This week  we host SAY Award nominated Jazz artist Graham Costello returning with a single from his soon to be released second album Second Lives. Glasgow hip-hop legend and community activist Steg G releases a long awaited new album and another legend Jim Jasmine of The Jasmine Minks has released a new track this weekend.

Graham Costello’s ensemble STRAT features some the most exciting new talent in Scotland’s Jazz scene. the first single from the album Eudaimonia, released yesterday is a restrained and measured piece which he says is influenced by “visualizingand striving for inner calm and overall happiness.

You can find out more about Graham, STRATA and how to support their work at www.grahamcostello.com

Jim Shepherd aka Jim Jasmine was the lead singer of classic Scottish Creation Records combo The Jasmine Minks. His new mini-album Lou is a tribute to Lou Reed with three covers of Reed originals I Believe in Love (featured) Sweet Jane and Rock n Roll. You can download, buy and listen to the track here.

It would be impossible to tell the story of Scottish hip-hop without Steg G featuring heavily. He been around and involved in some of the best music to be released in this country.  Commissioned by Glasgow regeneration orchestra, The Glasgow Barons, Steg G is joined on his new album by some of Scotland’s leading rappers including Solareye from Stanley Odd, Empress, Govan rap duo CCTV, and Freestyle Master. Challenging themes: from unemployment, substance abuse and religion, to poverty, crime, mental health and issues around social media are used as he captures life in Govan over a 24 hour period. Scars is a sneak preview of the album Live Today which will be out on 25 February.