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John Yao's Triceratops: How We Do
by Franz A. Matzner
Trombonist and bandleader John Yao possesses a penchant for imposing ambitious artistic constraints on himself. How We Do continues that trend with a newly formed quintet comprised only of three horns, bass, and drums. Yao further ups the ante by composing demanding pieces that often careen from one stylistic approach to another within the same tune. ...
Lafayette Gilchrist: Dark Matter
by Franz A. Matzner
Recorded live, pianist Lafayette Gilchrist's second solo recording, Dark Matter, embraces the long history of jazz bound to the beat and textures of a specific time and place, rather than stylistic pedigree or lineage of influencers. Its rhythms are the jackhammer throb, subway rattle, and relentless pulse of Baltimore, Philly, and Washington, D.C. It's textures the ...
Mikael Mani: Bobby
by Franz A. Matzner
Icelandic guitarist Mikael Mani's debut release is a poised, rewarding set of original compositions inspired by events surrounding Bobby Fischer's capture of the world chess championship in 1972. Held in Iceland, the politically charged bout took place against the backdrop of the cold war and garnered worldwide attention. Less well known is the subsequent ...
Satoko Fujii: The Kanreki Project
by Franz A. Matzner
Over four decades of experimentation, Satoko Fujii has made a lasting mark on the contours of modern jazz. The wave after wave of expressive force she has unleashed emanate from the aesthetics of her home country, but are never bound exclusively to it. They form a distinctive sound belonging only to her, yet comprised of wide-ranging ...
Skuli Sverrisson: Strata
by Franz A. Matzner
A contemplative affair, Skuli Sverisson and Bill Frisell's Strata unfolds like a slow burning fire. The hovering notes and somber guitar lines evolve gradually, emerging like wind carved monuments visible through a hovering mist to reveal a stark, melancholic, and aridly beautiful landscape. The album demonstrates a fluid, masterful interaction between the two artists ...
José James: Lean On Me
by Franz A. Matzner
Already known for his crisp production values, astute musicianship and eclectic presentations, Jose James delivers again with his tribute to Bill Withers, Lean on Me. The album reaffirms James' signature attention to stylistic pastiche while further refining his thematic focus on the subtleties of human relationships. Here James' narcotic blend is simultaneously steeped in ...
Aaron Shragge: This World of Dew
by Franz A. Matzner
The distinctiveness of This World of Dew stems equally from Aaron Shragge's technical mastery of the flugelhorn, dragon mouth trumpet, and Japanese Shakuhachi, his deep understanding of the traditions underpinning the Japanese aesthetic, and guitarist Ben Monder's ethereal, elongated harmonic syntax. Combined, these elements produce an immersive experience permeated by the sensibilities of the ...
Adrean Farrugia: Blued Dharma
by Franz A. Matzner
The duet outing Blued Dharma by pianist Adrean Farrugia and tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm is a nuanced affair suitable as background to a quiet evening but also worthy of closer reading. The title track epitomizes the whole. Contemplative, balanced, subtly blended, tonally stolid, inviting, consequential. Throughout the following seven pieces, the pattern of ruminative ...
Wes Montgomery: Wes Montgomery In Paris
by Franz A. Matzner
With Resonance Records' release of Wes Montgomery in Paris 1965, we receive not only the first official production of this classic concert to provide royalties to the Montgomery family, but also a gloriously remastered portrait of a seminal jazz contributor during a pivotal period of artistic history. Lovingly appointed with extensive commentary and an ...
Fabian Almazan: Environmental Action Figure
by Franz A. Matzner
This article was submitted on behalf of Melissa Denchak and originally published by the Natural Resources Defense Council. After nearly going extinct, vinyl has staged a billion-dollar comeback. This year, in a seventh year of double-digit growth, an estimated 40 million records have been pressed and sold globally, and the business forecast looks just ...
