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Harvey Valdes: PointCounterPoint
by Glenn Astarita
It makes sense that experimental guitar hero and studio whiz David Torn would be involved to whatever extent on guitarist Harvey Valdes (Butch Morris, Sean Sonderegger's Magically Inclined) debut solo album. Torn mastered this studio session and the parallel here is that both guitarists tend to rip boundaries to shreds. Here, Valdes and violinist Sana Nagano ...
Fred Frith Trio: Another Day in Fucking Paradise
by Glenn Astarita
The album title may equate to what a disgruntled co-worker may utter at the office on a Monday morning. Yes, some of us have used this line, but master improviser, guitarist Fred Frith's prowess and boundless creativity is the antithesis to anything that may cause a semblance of drudgery. Jason Hoopes' bursting e-bass lines ...
Prasanna: All Terrain Guitar
by Glenn Astarita
As a solo artist, Prasanna (Raga Metal Conversations, Raga Bop Trio) doesn't record that often, but when he does, it's usually an impressive musical statement, incited by his ferocious licks and unique convergence of Indian Carnatic music with a Western muse. For example, check out his previous outing, which is an East-West tribute to Jimi Hendrix ...
Andrew Cyrille & Bill McHenry: Proximity
by Glenn Astarita
The story behind this duo setting by legendary drummer Andrew Cyrille and venerable tenor saxophonist Bill McHenry was initiated by Max Koslow who routinely attends New York City's fabled Village Vanguard venue on Thursday evenings. After hearing the twosome perform, he proposed they record a set in the studio for his nascent Brain Schism Productions. Indeed, ...
Michael Formanek - Tomas Fujiwara - Mary Halvorson: Convallaria
by Glenn Astarita
Three hyper-progressive improvisational jazz and cross-genre artists push the envelope again on their 2nd album for Cuneiform Records. The musicians' busy schedules via numerous and largely prolific solo and group-based projects have rocketed their respective artistries into the limelight, especially ECM recording artist Michael Formanek (bass) who for the past several decades has become a household ...
Andreas Willers / Urs Leimgruber: Pale White Shout
by Glenn Astarita
Guitarist Andreas Willers (Germany) and saxophonist Urs Leimgruber (Switzerland) are among Europe's most prominent improvisers and free-thinkers. On this outing their experimental metrics are quite rangy and focused, offering the antithesis to a madcap free-form blowing session. The duo alternates between controlled thematic buildups and subdued encounters with polytonal dialogues along with certain parts that elicit ...
Slava Ganelin / Lenny Sendersky: Hotel Cinema
by Glenn Astarita
Back when electronics instruments entered the vanguard of jazz, rock and other genres, the old adage, man vs. machine became a proverbial response due to excessive gyrations and overly hectic interplay between conventional instrumentalists and synth performers. Thankfully, things settled down and a maturation process evolved over time. Fast forwarding to the modern era, well-travelled Russians, ...
Jonas Cambien Trio: A Zoology of the Future
by Glenn Astarita
Belgian-born pianist Jonas Cambien currently resides in Oslo and is supported by first-rate regional musicians on his debut outing as a leader. No doubt, this trio possesses a distinct personality as the artists seemingly concoct a horde of magic potions on a per-track basis. Here, free-form maneuvers evolve into tangible themes amid quirky advancements and spunky, ...
Nick Fraser Quartet: Starer
by Glenn Astarita
Canadian drummer Nick Fraser follows up his trio CD Too Many Continents (Clean Feed, 2015) featuring pianist Kris Davis and saxophonist Tony Malaby with this quartet date also featuring Malaby, consummated by cellist Andrew Downing and bassist Rob Clutton. Hence, the leader imparts an atypical vista, contoured by his scrappy or terse drumming, where structural song-forms ...
The Claudia Quintet: Super Petite
by Glenn Astarita
For this widely acclaimed band's 8th album, drummer John Hollenbeck decided to compose concise pieces that get the job done in less time stating: When the tunes are longer, there tend to be moments when not a whole lot is happening. If you have a really short tune, the whole thing has to be compelling." Hence, ...


