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CORTO.ALTO | SOME SMALL FORTUNE

CORTO.ALTO

SOME SMALL FORTUNE

Released

4 September 2026

Ninja Tune

****-

Superb Scottish jazz, weaving intricate broken beats, cinematic orchestration, and raw, vulnerable vocal collaborations together seamlessly..​​

Performing as corto.alto, multi-instrumentalist and producer Liam Shortall is at the creative intersection of Glasgow’s underground jazz movement and the UK's broader nu-jazz renaissance. Coming up alongside contemporaries in London and Manchester, Shortall combines bass-heavy electronic production, dub mechanics, and hip-hop sensibilities with masterful brass elements. His hyper-dynamic, self-produced sound has helped establish Glasgow as an essential hub on the contemporary UK music map, proving that cutting-edge, cross-genre jazz thrives well beyond the capital.

"SOME SMALL FORTUNE" kicks off with a brief but evocative string quartet prelude, the first of 15 varied tracks in the album's meticulously paced, 43  minute narrative. "THIEF" grabs early attention, it's easy tone, pulsing instrumentation, busy drums and regular drops creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. Standout collaborations stud the album, commencing with "APRIL" (featuring anaiis), whose delicate introspective vocal floats amid a mix of acoustic and electronica, bass and drums.

Instrumental "TEMPLE" sets a cracking pace - a fitting lead-in to the rapid fire spoken word delivery of "GO" (featuring Vector), and later "WHODIS" (featuring Mick Jenkins), each injecting sharp, rhythmic energy.

"PRAYED WE WOULD" is a mid-album highlight, featuring Oscar Jerome's assured vocals and warm, neo-soul guitar work. The instrumental "PAPER" allows brass to flourish and "OMNI" (featuring Terra Kin) manifests a delightful confection, as her melodic vocals are elevated by swirling strings. These tracks balance darker, percussive tones in tracks like "PAPER", and "SOMETHING" (featuring BINA.). Finally, "NOBLEHILL" (featuring the angelic voice of fellow Scott Jacob Alon) brings the 15-track collection to a poignant, cinematic close. ​

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