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Juanjo López: Above, Beyond, Within
by Troy Dostert
In our troubling national moment of intensified nativism and ethnic fearmongering, it can be edifying to encounter the stories of people whose lives are directly affected by the current climate. One of them is Juanjo López, a guitarist now well-established in the Chicago scene but who came years ago to the United States with his family ...
Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet: Live Spirit I
by Scott Lichtman
The album Live Spirit I is a compelling listen from the Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet. The music combines the very best of free improvisation with sparse, piercing compositions and ethereal ambience. While the bassist/leader and most of his group live in Poland, this is truly a world-class performance. Wojtek Mazolewski's influence is already significant. His ...
The Brian Martin Big Band: Old Home/New Home
by Jack Bowers
Brian Martin, who as a working musician wears many hats--trombonist, composer, arranger, educator and band leader among them--has taken those hats from his native Iowa and given them a new mailing address in the Boston, Massachusetts, area. Which is a big deal. Big enough, at least, for Martin to have devoted much of Old Home/New Home, ...
Billie Davies: Retrospectives (In The Key Of Jazz)
by La-Faithia White
Retrospectives (In The Key of Jazz) showcases a body of work by drummer Billie Davies that was created over a six year period. The musicians answered her call, recording albums and performing on her acoustic or hybrid drum set from 2012 to 2018. These pieces of music have never been released and are all improvisations that ...
Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet: El Muki
by Jack Bowers
Heavy rhythms rule the day on El Muki, the seventh recording by composer, arranger and trumpeter Gabriel Alegria's Afro-Peruvian Sextet, one that marks the group's 20th anniversary in 2025 by blending impactful elements of Peruvian, African and American jazz into a wholesome and flavorful banquet designed to whet the appetite of jazz aficionados of all persuasions. ...
Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii / Ramon Lopez: Yama Kawa Umi
by John Sharpe
Encounters with Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii arrive with mindboggling regularity, yet her output remains remarkably immune to routine. Yama Kawa Umi reunites her with trumpeter (and husband) Natsuki Tamura and Paris-domiciled Spanish drummer Ramon Lopez, resuming the volatile chemistry first heard on Mantle (NotTwo, 2020). Across eight compositions--five by Fujii, three by Tamura--and a brief collective, ...
The Who: Live At The Oval 1971
by Doug Collette
The Who were at the peak of their performing powers by the time they embarked upon an extensive touring schedule in 1971. Having honed their chemistry as a performing unit during the nearly two years of performing Tommy (Decca, 1969), the quartet had relegated equipment smashing to an occasional sidelight. And, having distilled guitarist/composer ...
Paolo Angeli: Lema
by Ian Patterson
Paolo Angeli has charted a singular course since Dove Dormono Gli Autobus (Erosha, 1995) introduced the Sardinian guitarist to the wider world. Back then, he juggled Sardinian guitar, classical guitar, electric bass and percussion. He soon transitioned to prepared guitar--a hybrid of guitar, cello and harp. Besides this triple threat, a typical Angeli guitar has more ...
Myra Melford: Splash
by John Sharpe
Pianist Myra Melford returns to the classic piano trio format for the first time since The Guest House (Enja, 2011), her acclaimed outing with Trio M with Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson. This time, the lineup is no less formidable: bassist Michael Formanek and drummer/vibraphonist Ches Smith--both commanding improvisers and bandleaders--join her for a set that ...
Nils Agnas: Nils Agnas Koper Sig Ur En Kris
by Vincenzo Roggero
Nils Agnas, non ancora trentenne batterista svedese, è il più giovane rappresentante di una famiglia di musicisti che da due generazioni testimonia la vitalità del jazz scandinavo. Entrato in una profonda crisi personale un paio di anni orsono, Nils ha pensato di intraprendere un percorso di rinascita investendo la quasi totalità dei suoi averi nella registrazione ...


