Articles by Kevin Ray

Bobby Hutcherson: Oblique

by Kevin Ray
August 4, 2006

This album, recorded in 1967, is so special that it's hard to imagine why it wasn't released until 1980--and even then, only in Japan. Energy, creativity and empathy permeate it, and the players fit together wonderfully. Bassist Albert Stinson is subtle and inventive, making it all the more of a loss that he died two years later, at 24. Had he lived, he would have become known as one of the giants of his instrument. The first ...

Andrew Hill: Blue Black and Nefertiti

by Kevin Ray
June 4, 2006

Andrew Hill Blue Black Test of Time 2005 Andrew Hill Nefertiti Test of Time 2005

One of the most mindless quirks of some jazz listeners is major label prejudice. Take for example those vaguely familiar with pianist Andrew Hill's albums Blue Black and Nefertiti, both recorded for the semi-obscure East Wind ...