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Peter Madsen's CIA Trio: 88 Butterfly
by Dan McClenaghan
Many jazz artists find butterflies inspiring. Pianist Herbie Hancock recorded Butterfly" for his Thrust album for Columbia Records in 1974. In 1993 guitarist Russell Malone released his Black Butterfly (Columbia Records), the title tune a rendition of a Duke Ellington/Irving Berlin composition; and the Chick Corea + Steve Gadd Band offered up the album Chinese Butterfly ...
Chris Greene Quartet: PlaySPACE 2: Play Harder
by Hrayr Attarian
Accomplished saxophonist Chris Greene, with his warm sound and easily recognizable style, is a stalwart of the Chicago music scene. Over the past decade he has led the same quartet of equally brilliant musicians who have honed a seamless camaraderie. On his 13th release, the ebullient PlaySPACE 2: Play Harder, Greene and his band stretch out ...
George Freeman: Everybody Say Yeah!
by Mark Corroto
It took a long time (much too long) for listeners to recognize the brilliance that was Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson. The New York-centric jazz cognoscenti have often overlooked talent that comes from Chicago, and artists were often drawn to The Big Apple to seek the recognition they deserved. Beginning in the '90s, though, the focal point ...
Flock: Flock
by Chris May
One of the strengths of the alternative jazz scene which has grown in London since around 2016 is the interconnectivity of its players. Everyone knows each other and ad hoc bands constantly come together. Flock is the latest such conclave and it is something of a supergroup. On this its first album--others are ...
Jordan VanHemert: Nomad
by Jack Bowers
Although his name offers no clue, saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's heritage is Korean. He salutes that legacy on Nomad, his second album as leader, with a pair of Korean folk songs and half a dozen comparatively modern themes written by Koreans or Korean Americans. Most are performed by VanHemert's trio: (Rodney Whitaker, bass; David Alvarez III, drums). ...
Justin Chart: The Scarlet Jazz Room
by Kyle Simpler
Improvisation is one of the key elements of jazz, and it isomething listeners expect to hear in most performances. However, it is often a part of the overall composition, which is based around a central melody. But saxophonist Justin Chart takes improvisation a step further with The Scarlet Jazz Room. This album relies almost entirely on ...
John Coltrane: My Favorite Things: 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
by Chris May
Sonically improved reissuesstrikingly improved reissuesof classic John Coltrane albums are becoming regular events. Rhino/Atlantic kicked things off in 2020 with the 2 CD Giant Steps (Atlantic, 1960). Switzerland's ezz-thetics followed through in 2021 with Chasin' The Trane, a reissue of Live At The Village Vanguard: The Master Takes (Impulse, 1998), and Song Of Praise, a reissue ...
Ches Smith: Interpret It Well
by Karl Ackermann
Ches Smith's extraordinary Path of Seven Colors (Pyroclastic Records, 2021) was a breakout recording that placed the drummer/composer at the top of many year-end lists. His sophomore outing on Kris Davis' label bears little similarity to his Pyroclastic debut beyond the artist's knack for discovering unexplored terrain. Interpret It Well reunites the trio of pianist Craig ...
Alberto Pinton: Good Idea
by Mark Corroto
Solo instrument recordings were at one time a rare occurrence, but with advancements in recording technology, the barriers to recording have been lowered. They are no longer the anomaly they once were. This solo baritone saxophone performance by Alberto Pinton, though, was paved years ago by the likes of Roscoe Mitchell, Peter Brötzmann, and Anthony Braxton. ...
Chance Hayden: Shag Bag
by Geno Thackara
Warm springtime, sunshine, good friendsit must be time for a party. Chance Hayden is certainly feeling the joy and ready to kick off something fun. Working around pandemic restrictions left him and his colleagues ready to bounce and blow off some steam, and bagging (sorry) the iconic Ronnie Foster on keys made the perfect funk-fusion topping. ...

