Thomas Shields

Astrocolor: Moonlighting--Astrojazz Vol. 1

by Dan McClenaghan
April 9, 2023

Considering the title of the recording, Moonlighting--Astro Jazz Vol. 1, and its futuristic cover art, the Canadian ensemble Astrocolor brings to mind the mid-1950s/early-1960s music that claimed the tag “Space Age Jazz," an offshoot of exotica or lounge music. It was a music considered by some at the time as schlocky, lacking a serious intent. It is, nevertheless, a somewhat forgotten genre that has taken time's test well. Albums like George Russell's Jazz In The Space Age (Decca, 1960), Martin ...