Jazz Articles
Our daily articles are carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. You can find more articles by searching our website, see what's trending on our popular articles page or read articles ahead of their published dates on our Coming Soon page. Read our daily album reviews.
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Meer: Wheels Within Wheels
by Glenn Astarita
Led by the dynamic brother-sister duo of Knut (vocals and keyboards) and Johanne Nesdal (vocals) from Norway, Meer's album Wheels Within Wheels is a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of progressive rock and symphonic influences. This is their third album, and it unfolds like an intricate maze, inviting listeners to explore its depths with each listen. The vocals are hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the lush instrumentation. Meer's knack for blending diverse genres and styles is impressive; they have ...
Continue ReadingSolstein: Solstein
by Glenn Astarita
This album marks the debut of the Norwegian/American band that spins a positive vibe that spans funk, jazz fusion, and groove-based jazz rock along with nods to classic era progressive rock. American A-list drummer Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Toto, Sting), known for his exceptional drumming, joined Solstein for the album, which projects an exhilarating synthesis of styles. Carlock's versatility and technical prowess behind the drum kit often elevate the dynamics and rhythm of any music he collaborates on. Paired with ...
Continue ReadingRuphus: Let Your Light Shine
by Glenn Astarita
In 2021, this Oslo-based progressive rock label reissued / remastered all of the Norwegian progressive rock unit's 1970s and early 1980s analog tapes of the original LPs. During its progression the band were especially popular in West Germany. However, the North American prog aficionados may have found it difficult to become aware of Ruphus unless they found a boutique LP import shop. The digital remastering of the original analog tapes yields numerous rewards and should be music to ...
Continue ReadingMeer: Playing House
by Glenn Astarita
Billed as an alternative progressive pop unit, this Norwegian octet skirts progressive rock territory as well. And from a qualitative perspective, the band executes the pop-related choruses with a college education. Lead singers Johanne-Margrethe Kippersund Nisdal (female) and Knut Kippersund-Nedsaf (male) alternate and coalesce throughout these radiantly melodic pieces embedded with strings, keys, guitars, and a rhythm section amid symphonic shadings, quirky segues, kaleidoscopic themes and more. With strong compositional frameworks, sparkling arrangements and good cheer, the album ...
Continue ReadingRhys Marsh: October After All
by Glenn Astarita
Hopefully, this alluring album by progressive rock multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist Rhys Marsh won't slip under the radar. It's an album that has staying power due to the artist's atmospheric and cleverly arranged works, largely containing memorably melodic hooks and emotive expressionism. Born in the UK, Marsh now resides in Norway, which has become a fertile region for the new prog rockers who often merge key components of this genre with personalized designs and mutable angles. In addition, Marsh states that ...
Continue ReadingCaravela Escarlate: Caravela Escarlate
by Glenn Astarita
Caravela Escarlate is a rather stunning effort by this Brazilian trio that pays homage to the progressive rock genre's storied past, coupled with a modern sound and distinct modus operandi. Simply stated, this album is a refreshing and highly melodic program that is quite focused and congenial. The artists' cleverness sparkles on motifs where robust church organ phrasings are throttled by synths and hallowed EFX-induced chorale chants. Harmonious riffs appear throughout, featuring Ronaldo Rodrigues' multi-textured, subtly shaded and shifty keyboard ...
Continue ReadingOak: False Memory Archive
by Glenn Astarita
This multitasking Norwegian trio's exceptional layering and mixing techniques provide a boost to the musicians' seamless ability to bridge a progressive rock aura with fresh material that occasionally skirts art-rock and pop. Simen Valldal Johannessen's warmhearted vocals (in English) are iterated with near flawless diction and mystical qualities. The melodic verses are often synched with choral background effects, emphatic dynamics and magnetic lyricism that draws you into the band's signature sound amid a horde of tuneful themes. With ...
Continue ReadingGalasphere 347: Galasphere 347
by Glenn Astarita
The record label duly notes that the ensemble's lineup is a pedigree from estimable progressive rock-based bands such as White Willow, Henry Fool, Änglagard, The Tim Bowess band, and more. Formed in 2018, Galasphere 347 occasionally draws similarities to prog giants, Porcupine Tree and Riverside amid the electro-symphonic stylings of many outfits from the strikingly advanced 1970s era and beyond, where rock was no longer relegated to 2/4 and 4/4 cadences with more emphasis placed on musicianship and complex song-forms. ...
Continue ReadingKrakow: Minus
by Glenn Astarita
Billed as a Stoner Metal band, Krakow is a quartet from Norway, which is a region that has rocketed into a progressive rock and progressive metal mecca, especially when considering the upsurge in young artists who seemingly learn from the masters and who are intent on cultivating distinct musical personas. With its fifth release, Minus, Krakow merges psyche rock with doom metal and spaced-out textures, but if you're heavily into song lyrics then you may need to follow ...
Continue ReadingWobbler: From Silence to Somewhere
by Glenn Astarita
Formed in 1999, this premier Norwegian band lights up the progressive rock genre with this superfine and expertly produced studio album, where the old school prog playbook is given a bit of an uplift, especially since the band casts a gleaming persona into these multifaceted works. Sure, glimpses of Gentle Giant and classic-era Genesis weave into various movements. However, Wobbler interlaces a multitude of rhythmic and melodic aspects into these memorable compositions, combining ethereal, windblown dreamscapes with tenacious ensemble work ...
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