2019 new releasesJanuary 6, 2019January 6, 2019 Drone Trio, Du Yun & International Contemporary Ensemble, Timespine, Flavio Zanuttini Opacipapa, and Claudio Scolari, Daniele Cavalca, and Simone Scolari Drone Trio – Lantskap Logic (Clean Feed Records) When one considers a trio of pipe organ, electric guitar, and saxophone, the initial expectation is not likely, “a minimal, dark-ambient masterpiece!”Continue readingDrone Trio, Du Yun & International Contemporary Ensemble, Timespine, Flavio Zanuttini Opacipapa, and Claudio Scolari, Daniele Cavalca, and Simone Scolari
2018 releasesJanuary 5, 2019 The 2018 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll Happy new year and best wishes to everyone for a brilliant 2019! Before I break the slumber and write some new reviews, I’d like to look back at the bestContinue readingThe 2018 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll
2018 releasesDecember 9, 2018December 10, 2018 Zack Clarke, Eraldo Bernocchi, Andrew Cyrille, Friends & Neighbors, and Ant Law Zack Clarke – Mesophase (Clean Feed Records) The best thing about listening to new music is hearing something that outright confounds. Mesophase is a scientific term used to describe aContinue readingZack Clarke, Eraldo Bernocchi, Andrew Cyrille, Friends & Neighbors, and Ant Law
2018 releasesDecember 2, 2018December 2, 2018 Ingrid Laubrock, David Virelles, Anguish, Marcus Strickland, and Patrick Shiroishi Ingrid Laubrock – Contemporary Chaos Practices: Two Works for Orchestra (Intakt Records) Ingrid Laubrock’s Contemporary Chaos Practices: Two Works for Orchestra has to be one of the most ambitious recordingContinue readingIngrid Laubrock, David Virelles, Anguish, Marcus Strickland, and Patrick Shiroishi
2018 releasesNovember 25, 2018 Música de Selvagem, Trio Heinz Herbert, Florian Weber, John Coltrane, and François Houle, Alexander Hawkins, & Harris Eisenstadt Música de Selvagem – Volume Único (ShhPuma / Selo Risco) While living in France, São Paulo-born bassist Arthur Decloedt was faced with the insult música de selvagem, meaning “music ofContinue readingMúsica de Selvagem, Trio Heinz Herbert, Florian Weber, John Coltrane, and François Houle, Alexander Hawkins, & Harris Eisenstadt
2018 releasesNovember 19, 2018November 19, 2018 Poline Renou, Mattieu Donarier, and Sylvain Lemêtre, Ingrid Jensen and Steve Treseler, Matthew Golombisky’s Cuentos, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and PJ5 Poline Renou, Mattieu Donarier, and Sylvain Lemêtre – Adieu Mes Très Belles (Yolk Records) Following an impeccably recorded and drop-dead gorgeous solo vocal intro by Polline Renou, just as SylvainContinue readingPoline Renou, Mattieu Donarier, and Sylvain Lemêtre, Ingrid Jensen and Steve Treseler, Matthew Golombisky’s Cuentos, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and PJ5
2018 releasesNovember 11, 2018November 11, 2018 Myra Melford’s Snowy Egret, Albatre, Wayne Horvitz, Adam Hopkins, and Casey Golden Myra Melford’s Snowy Egret – The Other Side of Air (Firehouse 12) One thing is for sure: you’d be hard pressed to gather a more impressive group of players/improvisers thanContinue readingMyra Melford’s Snowy Egret, Albatre, Wayne Horvitz, Adam Hopkins, and Casey Golden
2018 releasesNovember 4, 2018November 4, 2018 Michael Formanek & Elusion Quartet, Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs, Jakob Bro, Master Oogway, and Satoko Fujii and Alister Spence Michael Formanek & Elusion Quartet – Time Like This (Intakt Records) There is an ominous cloud permeating Time Like This, the new and first release by bassist and composer MichaelContinue readingMichael Formanek & Elusion Quartet, Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs, Jakob Bro, Master Oogway, and Satoko Fujii and Alister Spence
2018 releasesOctober 28, 2018October 28, 2018 Tyshawn Sorey, WildSonicBlooms, John Blevins’ Matterhorn, Jonathan Finlayson, and Cuong Vu 4-Tet Tyshawn Sorey – Pillars (Firehouse 12) For the past decade or so, Dr. Tyshawn Sorey has busied himself making some of the most absorbing music of the 21st century, creatingContinue readingTyshawn Sorey, WildSonicBlooms, John Blevins’ Matterhorn, Jonathan Finlayson, and Cuong Vu 4-Tet
2018 releasesOctober 20, 2018October 28, 2018 Cécile McLorin Salvant, Cory Smythe, Phronesis, Fred Frith, and The Lie Detectors Cécile McLorin Salvant – The Window (Mack Avenue) Let’s start with this: Cécile McLorin Salvant is one of the three or so most compelling and excellent vocalists making music inContinue readingCécile McLorin Salvant, Cory Smythe, Phronesis, Fred Frith, and The Lie Detectors