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King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King (50th Anniversary)
by John Kelman
The passage of time is often defined by both forward motion and a growing collection of memories past; it's also measured by significant milestones that are either realized at the time or in subsequent years. At a recent Royal/Celebration Package event prior to King Crimson's Théâtre St-Denis performance in Montréal, Canada, guitarist and only remaining group ...
Andy Fusco: Vortex
by David A. Orthmann
Vortex, Andy Fusco's fourth release on the SteepleChase imprint in as many years, is cause for celebration. Until recently, recordings by the veteran alto saxophonist as a leader have been few and far between. The date reunites Fusco with tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, who composed four of the selections and arranged nine of the ten tracks. ...
Mahatmosphere: Beautiful Dirt
by Mike Jacobs
Ever wished electric jazz would just drop a tab? Never fear, Mahatmosphere is here--whose latest release Beautiful Dirt thoroughly explores immersive, mind-expanding soundscapes laced with solid musicianship. Track them down on YouTube and you will find this UK-based electric trio--consisting of drummer Marco Anderson, guitarist Mark Lawrence and bassist Al Swainger--very much ...
Maria Schafer - Shane Savala: No Broken Hearts
by Mackenzie Horne
No Broken Hearts is special because while it could function on its own as a fond nod to tradition or a forward-thinking allusion to the modern songbook, it truly functions as a series of love letters--love letters to collaboration, the living history of strong women songwriters, and deeply personal experiences within music. Vocalist Maria Schafer and ...
Charles Lloyd Quartet: Montreux Jazz Festival 1967
by Chris May
2018 and 2019 have seen more than one release of newly discovered material by jazz icons which have been hyped as masterpieces by the record label, but proven to be underwhelming on investigation, no more than marginally interesting artefacts for anyone other than completists and the star-struck. The John Coltrane albums Both Directions At Once: The ...
Mareike Wiening: Metropolis Paradise
by Mark Sullivan
German-born drummer/composer Mareike Wiening makes her first full-length album and Greenleaf Music debut with Metropolis Paradise. This all-original program is a winning display of her composing, drumming and band-leading, with the help of a very sharp band. Returning from her earlier EP Crosswalk (Self Produced, 2015) are double bassist Johannes Felscher (a fellow Nuremberg native), Canadian ...
Albert Ayler: Quartets 1964: Spirits To Ghosts Revisited
by Mark Corroto
When did you first encounter saxophonist Albert Ayler's music? Not 'hear' because hearing was just part of the experience. Call it the shock of the new or just the discovery of a totally original sound, Ayler's music was a revelation. That first encounter will probably always be one of those “where were you when you first ...
Marcos Toledo with James Robbins and Dan Nadeau: Winter
by Jim Olin
Marcos Toledo is an exciting jazz guitarist who loves to come up with sophisticated melodies and intricate arrangement ideas inspired by the greatest jazz performers. His latest album Winter collects originals and standards for a hard bop affair. Toledo unites with two other talented musicians on these songs, double bassist James Robbins and drummer Dan Nadeau. ...
Joao Lencastre: Parallel Realities
by Mark Corroto
Portuguese drummer João Lencastre titled his release Parallel Realities because upon initial listening you might get a notion this music is tether-less free improvisation. But upon further spins, an order appears from the farrago. How that order is generated is, well, the magician's art of pulling a rabbit from his hat. Parallel Realities follows ...
The Octave Remastered Series: Part 2: A Night At The Movies
by Peter J. Hoetjes
Part 1 | Part 2 Most people's appreciation for Erroll Garner begins and ends with Concert By The Sea (Columbia, 1955), the pianist's career-defining performance for an audience of U.S. Infantrymen at the Sunset School in Carmel, California --coincidentally, just ten minutes away from the filming location of Play Misty For Me, Clint Eastwood's ...
