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Aubrey Johnson: Unraveled
by Dan Bilawsky
Serving as a statement of elucidation, exploration and emotional reasoning, Unraveled lays bare a unique soul while presenting a clear-headed means of disentangling complex artistic threads. It's an album that's as sophisticated as it is accessible and as personal as it is universal in its line(s) of thought. In short, it's a debut destined to stand ...
Omer Avital/Qantar: New York Paradox
by Fiona Ord-Shrimpton
The world in its collective viral neurosis is in a cold sweat. What to do? Store shelves are empty, hands have never been cleaner, and if all goes wrong, salaries may soon rise for those who will work. In these trying times, some days you simply must “Avital"—Omer Avital understands this. Thanks to his latest album, ...
Larry Tamanini: Front & Center
by Chris M. Slawecki
Philadelphia leaves such deep and wide fingerprints on guitarist Larry Tamanini's Front and Center that he could list the city in its credits. Tamanini emerged on the Philadelphia jazz scene in the late 1990s, studying privately under Philly jazz guitar legends Dennis Sandole and Pat Martino, whose cerebral yet soulful sound sometimes echoes through ...
Thana Alexa: ONA
by Geno Thackara
Thana Alexa's voice contains a world of sound, and that is without even mentioning the globe-spanning musical trappings which surround it. Hearing her is like watching a thunderstorm or maybe a wild hawk in flight. She doesn't just sing but uses her voice as an expressive precision instrument, in much the same way all the tones ...
Tom Green Septet: Tipping Point
by Chris May
The second album from British trombonist, composer and arranger Tom Green's Septet follows the little-big-band's locally acclaimed Skyline (Spark), released back in 2015. Rather remarkably, the only change to the lineup since then is the replacement of alto and soprano saxophonist Matthew Herd by Tommy Andrews. Green's specialism appears to be big bands. His ...
Alex Goodman: Impressions in Blue and Red
by Rob Shepherd
For most, there is a clear divide between musical and visual arts. But for individuals with chromesthesia, a condition where one sees colors when they hear a particular sound, the two can prove inseparable. Throughout history, many jazz musicians have exhibited chromesthesic symptoms, including Marian McPartland, James Francies, and drum legend Elvin Jones. Duke Ellington saw ...
Tom Kennedy: Stories
by Jim Worsley
It's commonplace that an artist will have a concept or theme in mind when starting a record project. To build from the ground up without any preconceptions could be a recipe for a disaster. However, if it didn't crash and burn and, in fact, went the other direction, the possibilities then become infinite. With no boundaries ...
Das B: Canopy
by Mark Corroto
The free improvisational quartet Das B releases its first recording Canopy, taken from a live performance at the Festival Konfrontationen, in Nickelsdorf, Austria 2017. Formed in 2015, the 'B' refers to Berlin, the nexus of activity for the four musicians heard here. The two Australians, drummer Tony Buck and bassist Mike Majkowski, join the Beirut-born trumpeter ...
Jordan Ponzi: The First Journey
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The First Journey from bassist, educator Jordan Ponzi is a classic trio side which delivers a kaleidoscope of textures, tempos, and superb playing. The 7-track recording packs plenty of punch and variety within—and it's a winner. Jordan Ponzi's eclectic compositions offer fine launch pads for superior improv and great ensemble interaction. “Sign Unseen" is ...
Of Cabbages and Kings: Aura
by Tyran Grillo
On Aura, the first album by self-styled neo a capella quartet Of Cabbages and Kings, we find ourselves dancing on razor-edged arrangements of popular songs, settings of Shakespeare and Brecht, and originals besides. The vocalists are Veronika Morscher, Sabeth Pérez, Rebekka Ziegler, and Laura Totenhagen. The many shades of meaning in their music outnumber even the ...
