The blues are brewin… British blues guitarist Todd Sharpville shows that living the blues life is the best ingredient for playing it, as this album is an exploration of a time in his past when he had a breakdown and…
Month: September 2022
Jocelyn Gould: Golden Hour
Tasty mainstream tones are emitted from Jocelyn Gould’s guitar along with Will Bonness/p, Quincy Davis/dr, Rodney Whitaker/b and guest saxist Jon Gordon on a mix of standards and originals. Gould’s tone and delivery are reminiscent of vintage Johnny Smith-Herb Ellis-Barney…
Sachal Vasandhani & Romain Collin: Still Life
This is the second meeting between warm baritone vocalist Sachal Vasandhani and impressionist pianist Romain Collin, and it is even more intimate and pastoral than the first. Vasandhani is in conversant voice, caressing each syllable as if they were rationed…
John Aram & The United Underground Orchestra: Rhapsody In Red
Giving a tip of the cap to George Gershwin in the clever reworked title, UK trombonist John Aram brings together artists from both side of the Pond for an exciting ensemble that tackles modern musings in timeless fashion. Aram brings…
Billy Cobham’s Crosswinds Project @ The Canyon Club 09.11.22
There are concerts, and there are clinics… At 78 years old, the legendary drummer Billy Cobham has nothing to prove to his audience, but judging by the 90 minute set at the Agoura Hills Canyon Club, he still has a…
REISSUES FROM A GOLDEN ERA…Pee Wee Russell & Coleman Hawkins: Jazz Reunion, Clark Terry: Color Changes, Cecil Taylor: The World of Cecil Taylor, Booker Little: Out Front, Booker Ervin: That’s It
The early 1960s were an extraordinarily exciting time in jazz, and traditional, mainstream and advanced jazz were all calling for attention, and all sounding fresh. Candid Records was completely ecumenical in what they release, as these five latest reissues from…
Barre Phillips & Gyorgy Kurtag Jr: Face a Face
With the songs ranging from one to just over four minutes, double bassist Barre P hillips teams with electronic man Gyorgy Kurtag for a collection of moody and spontaneous conversations. Is it “music” when you get echoey drips on “The…
Alex Acuna: Gifts
While best known as one of the most important percussionists today, Alex Acuna rarely releases anything where he’s in charge, so this album is a delight. He’s best known for his work on the “classic” edition of Weather Report, and…
Julian Hulsmann: The Next Door
Spacious and crystalline atmospheres are created by pianist Julia Hulsmann and her team of Uli Kempendorff/ts, Marc Muellbauer/b and Heinrich Kobberling/dr. Concise 3×5 cards are created here, with plaintive piano on the floating “Empty Hands” and the gentle unison lines…
Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra: Attitude of Gratitude
Drummer and composer Henry Godfrey leads a collection of large ensemble tributes with a collection of rich charts and vivid solos. Pianist Rowan Barcham gives a dark chorded salute along with guitarist Pritesh Walia on the bright “For McCoy” while…