SPAZA, Ron Miles, and Erik Friedlander

Artist: SPAZA

Title: UPRIZE! (Music from the Original Motion Picture)

Label: Mushroom Hour Half Hour

Release Date: 10/16/20

Personnel: Ariel Zamonsky – bass; Gontse Makhene – percussion; Malcolm Jiyane – piano/trombone/vocals; Nonku Phiri – vocals

Impression: With their original motion picture soundtrack to the documentary UPRIZE! the revolving-member South African musical collective known as SPAZA artfully asserts that the bold and transformative spirit of resistance to oppression from ’76 Johannesburg endures, underlining it’s significance to our current, tragic reality.

More Info: Mushroom Hour Site  and  SPAZA site

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Buy Here: Bandcamp

 

Artist: Ron Miles

Title: Rainbow Sign

Label: Blue Note Records

Release Date: 10/09/20

Personnel: Ron Miles – Cornet; Brian Blade – Drums; Bill Frisell – Guitar; Jason Moran – Piano; Thomas Morgan – Bass Guitar

Impression: One could attempt to discover a more cohesive contemporary ensemble performing refined tunes with seemingly effortless proficiency, but that exercise would be in vain.

More Info: Blue Note Records

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Buy Here: Blue Note Store

 

Artist: Erik Friedlander

Title: Sentinel

Label: self-released

Release Date: 10/02/20

Personnel: Ava Mendoza – guitar; Diego Espinosa – drums & percussion; Erik Friedlander – cello

Impression: Incisors, canines, and molars masticate in concert on Sentinel with decidedly amenable results.

More Info: Erik Friedlander’s Site

Listen Here:

Buy Here: Bandcamp