Release date: March 1, 2026 Retrospective, the latest album from Carl Clements and The Real Jazz Trio, serves as a contemporary continuation of Clements’ critically recognized 2023 release, A Different Light. Contrary to its title, Retrospective presents a modern interpretation of several original compositions making their debut. Clements is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. With these tracks, … Continue reading
From the opening notes of Shifty Paradigms, you sense a cinematic quality in Dave Slonaker’s rich music. Slonaker’s experience as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger for film and television informs his jazz genius. What emerges in his music is a sense of story. Each note has, and serves, a distinct purpose, all contributing to an … Continue reading
Songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Billy Thompson showcases all of his talents on the new album, This World. It’s a blues, rock, funk, and soul voyage of shared discovery that is successful on every level. This World delivers ten original tracks (most by Thompson, one co-written with Keith Glover, and four featuring guest lyricist Kirsten Trump). … Continue reading
Omar Coleman and Igor Prado are a perfect musical duo, with a collaboration that blends blues with funk and soul in powerful songs. Their new album—Old, New, Funky and Blue—delivers enough energy to get you through this winter. The album is noteworthy for the way the vocals are as important and necessary as the instrumentals, … Continue reading
Darren Litzie — On My Own Time Label: Summit Records Pianist and jazz composer Darren Litzie’s second album, On My Own Time, features predominantly original works, along with a few jazz standards. Those standards are particularly rewarding, as Litzie’s interpretive skills are supreme. A bonus is the inclusion of the 60s pop hit “Time Of … Continue reading
The Dave Wilson Quartet’s When Even Goes East created exactly the atmosphere I was yearning for when I reached for a new jazz album to listen to today. Every melody was given full exploration, while establishing a mood that I wish could continue far beyond the album’s playing time. I guess what the repeat button … Continue reading
James Judson’s debut album comes across the creative output of a seasoned pro. He clearly loves to make music, and he has impeccable taste in choosing his material. The album features a variety of tracks—all of them impressive—from the playful opener “Is There A Chance,” to the atmospheric “The Shadow of Your Smile,” to the … Continue reading
While many jazz albums rely on studio polish, a live recording offers a true test of a musician’s skill, revealing not just technique but real-time interaction. Live in Beverly Hills, from the Doug MacDonald Trio succeeds in maintaining this tradition, showing that live musical exchange is still what it’s all about. In the absence of … Continue reading
Compositions in Blue and Other Hues delivers eleven original jazz tunes by Massachusetts composer Ron Rieder, performed by a quintet of flexible, talented musicians in a traditional hardbop presentation. The album leans into classic jazz, breezing through styles that showcase Rieder’s versatility. It covers such territory that you always want more. Continue reading
Duke Robillard, a two-time GRAMMY nominee and four-time Blues Music Award winner, celebrates his signing to Nola Blue Records with the release of Blast Off! on February 20 (available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats). With Blast Off!, Duke Robillard does what he does best—displays his incredible consistency with twelve tracks that blend blues, swing, … Continue reading
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