In the struggle to replace King Crimson, Ava Mendoza/eg, James Brandon Lewis/ts, Devin Hoff/b and Ches Smith/dr take up the challenge on this recent release. It seems like they stretch out the last note of “20th Century Schizoid Man” for…
Month: December 2023
FEMALE VOICES…Shakura S’Aida: Hold On To Love
For her first new album in a decade, Toronto-based Shakura S’Aida shows a wide range of styles on this album co-produced with Donna Grantis, Keb’Mo and Roger Costa. The songs range from swampy stompers like the title tune, a funky…
Mathias Heise Quintet: Mouth Games
Danish harmonica man Mathias Heise brings together Jacob Christoffersen/p, Pelle von Bulow/g, Thomas Fonnesbaek/b and Jeppe Gram/dr for a large palate of colors. Using mostly originals, Heise does delve into a coule of covers, bopping hard with Gram on John…
A MISSING LINK…Don Byas: Classic Don Byas Sessions 1944-1946
Because he spent most of his career as an ex-patriot living in Europe, tenor saxist Don Byas (1913-72) is overlooked in terms of the important jazz musicians. But during his career, he was considered an important link between swing and…
ARE THE 80S REALLY BACK? Twink: Think Pink V, Chardeau: Ombres Et Lumieres In Terra Cognita, Merv Spence: Phenomena Recovered
Haven’t I lived through these sounds before? Vocalist Twink palys percussion and programs with Ed Sykes/b-keypperc, Isaac Lock/voc, MartinYoung/g-perc and Brian Parsley /voc on te originals. The songs range from lots of 80s keyboards and evensome sitar sounds on “Sun…
Hays Street Hart: Bridges
Pianist Kevin Hays leads a trio with veteran all stars Billy Hart/dr and Ben Street/b on a mix of covers and originals. With a team like this, the joy is in the interpretation and interplay, and these guys don’t disappoint.…
Yuhan Su: Liberated Gesture
Vibraphonist Yuhan Su brings together Matt Mitchell/p, Caroline Davis/as-voc, Marty Kenney/b and Dan Weiss for a collection of originals. There’s even a poem included, recited by Davis during “She Goes To A Silent War.” There’s a deep hint of Monk…
Constantine Alexander: Firetet
Fresh from the Greek side of Chicago, trumpeter Constantine Alexander debuts with a hard bopping album that sounds like he was weaned from Blue Note albums as well as feta cheese. Playing flugelhorn as well Alexander brings together a muscular…
Margot Sergent: Douce France/Sweet France
Singing and accompanying herself on harp, Margo Sergent creates bohemian moods with Patrick Brennan/g, Alec Safy/b, Linus Wyrsch/cl and guests Ben Silashi/dr or Vitor Goncalves/acc a mix of Left Bank originals and interpretations. She suavely sambas here and there as…
Jason Arkins: In Focus
Playing sax and flute, Jason Arkins puts together a soulful jazz album with Beau Cornelius/p-key, Leo Folsom/synth, Mike Ramos/b and Jack Dratch/dr that gives hints of plugged in Chick Corea and Joe Sample. There’s some splashy synth work by Folsom…