We publish a new album review every day so you can stay up on the latest jazz releases.
New album, new Protocol: For the fifth release from his long-running project, journeyman drummer Simon Phillips, who’s fueled the music of everyone from jazz pianist … Read More “Simon Phillips: Protocol V (Phantom)”
Bob James made his name in fusion and smooth jazz, but some of us believe the pianist’s acoustic trio records represent his highest art. His … Read More “Bob James Trio: Feel Like Making LIVE! (Evosound)”
Jazz Twitter recently devolved into bedlam over the validity of standards, but one thing is certain—they still do what they were designed to do. To … Read More “Carlos Franzetti: In the Wee Small Hours (Sunnyside)”
Is there any instrument that comes more freighted with specific sonic associations than the harp? A handful of notes summons a celestial tableau, complete with … Read More “Tara Minton and Ed Babar: Two for the Road (Jazzizit)”
Beginning with 2001’s The Philadelphia Experiment, then moving onto editions inspired by Detroit and Harlem, producer Aaron Luis Levinson and his local casts (?uestlove, Christian … Read More “The Chicago Experiment: The Chicago Experiment (Ropeadope)”
The title is a sneaky misnomer. It’s not mainstream funk—it’s obscure soul-jazz and jazz-funk originally released on Mainstream Records. And it slaps. Mainstream Funk gathers … Read More “Various Artists: Mainstream Funk (Wewantsounds)”
The Sundering, in essence, is one man’s attempt to understand his identity. John C. O’Leary III, an accomplished pianist and neuroscientist, delves into personal dualities—a … Read More “John C. O’Leary III: The Sundering (Arbors)”
There are, very roughly speaking, two soprano saxophone schools. The John Coltrane school contains a shriek, perfect for waking the dead. The Sidney Bechet school … Read More “Emile Parisien: Louise (ACT)”
Bassist Tyler Mitchell served a brief tenure in the Sun Ra Arkestra in the mid-’80s, appearing on the albums Reflections in Blue and After Hours … Read More “Tyler Mitchell: Dancing Shadows (Mahakala)”
The title of pianist Bill O’Connell’s latest release suggests that it was created as a direct response to the political, racial, and pandemic-related upheaval that … Read More “Bill O’Connell: A Change Is Gonna Come (Savant)”
