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Craig Taborn: Compass Confusion
by Mike Jurkovic
Compass Confusion, the long hoped for return of Craig Taborn's depth defying, solo-gone-quintet from Junk Magic (Thirsty Ear, 2004), climaxes early and often and, however you like to be lured, It pulls you along with a lush velvet hook in your mouth. Reeling it in is a struggle but a blessing. We know that. We get ...
Christopher Merz's Very Happy Band: While We Wait
by Jack Bowers
Saxophonist Christopher Merz's Very Happy Band is essentially a foursome of like-minded fun-lovers with trombonist Anthony Williams added on two numbers and trumpeter Dave Rezek on one. For the most part, this is happy jazz, eleven original compositions by Merz that underscore the music's sunnier side without sacrificing proficiency or substance. To escape ...
Charlie Porter: Hindsight
by Paul Rauch
Portland based trumpeter/composer Charlie Porter is back, and following the trend industry wide over the past year, has released a finely crafted collection of pieces attached to a social narrative. Hindsight examines how we act in hindsight dealing with the long term societal struggles of racism, corruption and inequality. While two of the pieces feature the ...
Keith Pray: Universal Blues
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The opening sounds of Keith Pray's Universal Blues present a sonic gateway that ultimately leads to an overall significant musical experience. Throughout his career, saxophonist Pray, a highly talented and well-respected upstate New York artist, has been an avid explorer of textures and tonalities. With Universal Blues he and his mates deliver an intelligent and intriguing ...
Dave Douglas: Marching Music
by Angelo Leonardi
Gli intenti che stanno alla base del nuovo disco di Dave Douglas e la data di registrazione sono significativi. Come scrive il trombettista nelle note di copertina, il progetto è stato concepito come musica da ascoltare in cuffia durante le manifestazioni di protesta a favore del clima, dei diritti civili e di tutte le altre azioni ...
Omar Sosa: An East African Journey
by Dan Bilawsky
Back in 2009, Omar Sosa took part in an eight-stop trio tour of East Africa. Serving multiple purposes, it gave the pianist a chance to work with Senegalese singer Mola Sylla and Mozambican bassist Childo Tomas while connecting with the people, operated as the subject for a French-funded documentary and provided an opportunity for cross-cultural collaborations ...
Swantje Lampert: Now!
by Chris May
The Austrian tenor saxophonist Swantje Lampert caught the jazz bug relatively late, while studying for a degree in law. She took up the saxophone and, some twenty years later, after graduating from the Vienna Conservatoire and the Berklee School of Music, has matured into an assured player and a characterful composer. Lampert is ...
Matthew Shipp: Leonine Aspects
by Mark Corroto
Without exception, every time you encounter Leonine Aspects, you come away with a different experience. 'Encounter' not 'listen.' The word 'encounter' signifies both an engagement and a chance happening. Let's back up a bit. This duo between saxophonist Evan Parker and pianist Matthew Shipp was captured from a live performance on August 22, 2017 at Théatre ...
César Cardoso: Dice of Tenors
by Hrayr Attarian
The captivating and cinematic Dice of Tenors is Portugese saxophonist César Cardoso's fourth release as a leader. Cardoso has brought together an international octet of accomplished musicians for an eight track tribute to six saxophone giants including John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, and Benny Golson. In addition to six standards either penned or popularized by these legendary ...
Angelica Sanchez, Marilyn Crispell: How To Turn The Moon
by Alberto Bazzurro
Registrato nel settembre 2019 a Woodstock, questo albumall'ascolto assolutamente pariteticosi deve in realtà soprattutto ad Angelica Sanchez, non a caso autrice di quasi tutto il materiale tematico (sette suoi brani su dieci, con gli atri tre, evidenti improvvisazioni, a doppia firma). Detto ciò, quello che troviamo in questi cinquanta minuti di musica a ...

