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Article: Play This!

Espen Berg Trio: Rue Saint-Michel

Read "Espen Berg Trio: Rue Saint-Michel" reviewed by Carl Medsker

by Carl Medsker

The piano trios of Tord Gustavsen, Espen Eriksen and Espen Berg share a Norwegian terroir, but differ in expression. In a flagrant oversimplification, Gustavsen tends toward introspective rumination with classical undertones, while Eriksen revels in lyricism. Then there is Berg, who spits the difference, with added rhythmic complexity. Like three exceptional yet distinct wines ...

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Article: Play This!

A Dave Holland Primer

Read "A Dave Holland Primer" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu

by Ludovico Granvassu

Here is an audio-companion to Points of View: Celebrating Dave Holland. The playlist contains songs by, or featuring, Dave Holland, selected by those who contributed to that article. It's actually a quite interesting thing to see who selected what (click on the above link and under each individual contribution the selected song is listed).

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Article: Play This!

Espen Eriksen Trio: Winter Is Coming

Read "Espen Eriksen Trio: Winter Is Coming" reviewed by Carl Medsker

by Carl Medsker

An homage to Game of Thrones? A wish for the end of another excessively hot summer? Or just impatient for better ski conditions? Whatever the intention, the Espen Eriksen trio is back for another set of melodic Nordic jazz. After a pulsing, ominous start, the performance flowers into a memorable theme. The bandmates (Espen Eriksen on ...

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Article: Play This!

A Percussion Paradise Inhabited By Searing, Soaring Sensations

Read "A Percussion Paradise Inhabited By Searing, Soaring Sensations" reviewed by Keith Flint

by Keith Flint

From its solo conga introduction to its exuberant ensemble finale, Donny McCaslin's “Soar" leads listeners along a path of tension, anticipation, and release. The pleasures of the performance are immediate, yet its full gratification is tantalizingly delayed: rhythm first, then added texture, then a gathering rush of sound as each musician finds a place ...

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Article: Play This!

Two Views Of A Masterpiece

Read "Two Views Of A Masterpiece" reviewed by John Chacona

by John Chacona

As a jazz composer is it better to be a hedgehog or a fox, to write music that is so irreducibly singular that there is only one way to perform it or do be so embracingly universal that one's genius spreads like pollinator bees? Arguably Wayne Shorter, fairly unanimously embraced as the greatest jazz composer of ...

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Article: Play This!

Joseph Quiles Takes the Scenic Route on Sunset Cruisin

Read "Joseph Quiles Takes the Scenic Route on Sunset Cruisin" reviewed by Acacia Grace

by Acacia Grace

"Sunset Cruisin'" is the kind of track that settles into a smooth groove and makes you want to stay there. Joseph Quiles delivers a vibrant blend of contemporary smooth jazz, soul, and funk, built around a mid-tempo pocket that feels effortless while still carrying plenty of energy. Lush piano textures bring warmth to the ...

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Article: Play This!

Lionel Loueke: Actual Proof

Read "Lionel Loueke: Actual Proof" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara

Adapting a little Herbie Hancock material is manageable enough for anyone with solid instrumental skills. Doing it without a piano might be a bit more tricky. Adapting it for solo guitar and voice is another challenge entirely, but his longtime sideman Lionel Loueke is more than up to the challenge, not just mastering the song forms ...

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Article: Play This!

Brian Bromberg: Top Down

Read "Brian Bromberg: Top Down" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara

One might not think there are many places to find a new wrinkle to instrumental guitar rock, but Brian Bromberg manages it on an interesting technicality: not using any guitars. For this 2005 highway cruise, he doubles himself on electric five-string and high-tuned piccolo bass, making a “trio" outing full of wild grooves and sweet fuzz ...

5

Article: Play This!

Angélique Kidjo: Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Read "Angélique Kidjo: Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson

Hollywood has come late to the party. Pretty much the whole world knew that Angélique Kidjo is a major star, decades before the Beninese singer was honored with a place on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in August 2026. At least Kidjo got to enjoy the hoopla while still alive and kicking. Jimi Hendrix only got his ...

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Article: Play This!

Gordian Knot: Muttersprache

Read "Gordian Knot: Muttersprache" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara

Sean Malone was the kind of bassist who could never simply stick to the basic support role if his life depended on it. He spun kaleidoscopic bass/Stick parts across a myriad of fusion, prog and/or metal recordings, but his particular harmonic wizardry never came out more eloquently than on this solo outlet. Gordian Knot had a ...


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