Jazz Articles
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Jordan Rudess: The Road Home
by John Kelman
Genesis...Yes...Gentle Giant... King Crimson... Emerson, Lake & Palmer...all significant contributors to the stylistic groundswell of progressive rock nearly forty years ago. Morphing beyond recognition, ceasing to exist or resting on their laurels, each has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years, as the internet makes it possible for fans around the world to come together in ways previously not possible. They've also had a significant impact on contemporary groups like Dream Theater. DT's keyboardist Jordan Rudess--also a ...
read moreNiacin: Organik
by John Kelman
With a collective resume that ranges from the ostentatious stadium rock of David Lee Roth and Mr. Big to the fusion of John Scofield and John McLaughlin, the members of Niacin--keyboardist John Novello, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Dennis Chambers--clearly have chops to spare. What's remarkable about their sixth release, Organik, is the unbelievable high level of energy maintained throughout. By the time the hour-long program is over, even the most indefatigable listener will be spent and exhausted. It's a ...
read moreTony Levin: Prime Cuts: From Tony Levin's Magna Carta Sessions
by John Kelman
A pre-eminent bassist and proponent of that oddly-tapped guitar/bass hybrid called the Stick, Tony Levin began his musical life in the late '60s as an in-the-pocket jazzer, playing with artists including vibraphonist Gary Burton and early incarnations of the groove-centric band Stuff. But he's since moved on to become one of the most in-demand session players in genres including rock, pop, and progressive rock... many of the various subgenres that have emerged over the past 35 years, in fact. He ...
read moreVarious Artists: Modern Drummer Presents Drum Nation Volume One
by John Kelman
When the people at Modern Drummer magazine conceived the idea of an album highlighting some of the most innovative drummers on the scene today, they probably didn't realize they would also be making a statement applicable to all instruments: that there are some people who are players of their instruments, and then there are musicians --artists who transcend the boundaries of their instrument, rise above the egotistical concerns of demonstrating just how good they are and ambitiously aim, instead, to ...
read moreAndy West with RAMA: Rama 1
by Glenn Astarita
Known for his longtime affiliation with the Dixie Dregs, bassist Andy West assembles an all-star prog-rock/jazz-fusion based band here. Supported by high-octane guitarist Mike Kenneally, Dregs drummer extraordinaire Rod Morgenstein and other notables, West lays down the booming bass patterns for this rather boisterous affair.
Notions such as Intelli-Metal come to mind, as the musicians meld raucous soloing endeavors with blistering rhythms and shrewdly coordinated shifts in strategy. And while the compositions are somewhat nondescript, this outing ...
read moreVarious: Leonardo - The Absolute Man (Original Cast Recording)
by Glenn Astarita
Leonardo – The Absolute Man is the brainchild of “Magna Carta” chief Peter Morticelli, who enlisted one of the label’s roster artists, keyboardist Trent Gardner to bring the project to fruition. Perhaps Renaissance man, Leonardo Da Vinci would be delighted, knowing that a bunch of seasoned rock veterans decided to construct an album based upon his persona. Essentially, Gardner, known for his work with the bands “Magellan” and “Explorers Club”, composed the music and lyrics for this rather ambitious and ...
read moreRobert Berry: A Soundtrack For "The Wheel Of Time"
by Glenn Astarita
Progressive rock Renaissance man, Robert Berry conceptualizes, composes and performs a soundtrack based upon author Robert Jordan’s widely read, “The Wheel of Time” fantasy novels, with this newly released effort also featuring mandolinist, Leif Sorbye of the Celtic/prog-rock band, “Tempest” and violinist Michael Mullen among others.
Essentially, Berry proposes that this soundtrack might serve as an audible adjunct for Jordan’s books, whereas this recording also denotes a rather enthusiastic and inspiring standalone listening experience. Simply put, Berry is an articulate ...
read moreIce Age: Liberation
by Glenn Astarita
On Liberation, prog-metal rockers, “Ice Age” renders a set of theme pieces via Josh Pincus’ spirited and meticulously expressive vocals, as this band incorporates melodic choruses, amid hard driving riffs and complex time signatures. With the onset of the album’s opener, “The Lhasa Road (No Surrender)”, the band intertwines profoundly stated voicings with catchy motifs and a soaring to the heavens approach. Throughout, guitarist Jimmy Pappas’ blistering leads and chunky crunch chords enhance the band’s at times, silvery edge and ...
read moreUnder the Sun: Under the Sun
by Michael Askounes
Tracklist:1. This Golden Voyage (7:13) 2. Tracer (5:41) 3. Seeing Eye God (3:37) 4. Gardens of Autumn (5:02) 5. Perfect World (5:21) 6. Reflections (5:45) 7. Breakwater (7:34) 8. The Time Being (10:01) 9. Dream Catcher (7:56) 10. From Henceforth Now and Forever (9:16) ...
read moreBozzio - Levin - Stevens: Situation Dangerous
by Glenn Astarita
Situation Dangerous represents the second and latest release from the power trio of guitarist Steve Stevens, stick performer/bassist Tony Levin and drummer Terry Bozzio. And as some of us might surmise, the band pursues hard driving and altogether potent fusion/prog-rock style themes and tricky time signatures with dazzling marksmanship.
The band takes care of business in expeditious fashion, which is evident from the opening seconds of pieces such as “Dangerous” and “Endless”. However, the musicians do serve up a hearty ...
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