Why go out? Now you can avoid the winter weather and heat things up at home with Steve Smith & Vital Information‘s new album — New Perspective. It is a thrillingly realized display of musical teamwork that is as satisfactory as it is ambitious. Mr. Smith is particularly inspiring when he deconstructs and reconstructs “Don’t … Continue reading
Mundoagua, the new album from Arturo O’Farrill (& The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra) is an important recording. It’s ambitious. It’s precisely carried out. And, considering the subtitle (Celebrating Carla Bley), it’s a well-deserved and worthy tribute. The album is set to be released 7 February 2025 on the Zoho label.. The album is personal for … Continue reading
Just the Three of Us features the jazz stylings of Alan Chaubert, who masterfully plays both muted trumpet and piano simultaneously. It’s a continual musical coup de théâtre. Accompanied by Belden Bullock on bass, and Jon Di Fiore on drums, Chaubert highlights the beauty of nine outstanding compositions by renowned artists such as Charlie Haden, … Continue reading
On her album Eugenie, the smooth, invigorating jazz vocals of Eugenie Jones are gift-wrapped with inviting arrangements and the sublime playing of a variety of musicians. Eugenie Jones has a specialty — mining the subtle emotion in a song and enfolding it with her own lived experience so that every note is honest and true. … Continue reading
Vocalist Liz Cole’s debut album, I Want To Be Happy, blends strong jazz foundations with creative interpretations of classic standards. Her smooth, warm vocals radiate optimism and joy, making the disc a highly desirable listen. Cole is equally at home with the demands of each song on the album, whether swinging or ballad. Just when you … Continue reading
Musicians: Jessica Jones, Tony Jones (tenor sax), Stomu Takeishi (bass), Deszon Claiborne (drums). Like the title, this is a collection of very specific sounds. All of them are bursting with life, imagination, and connection. With these “flowers,” the Jessica Jones Quartet has crafted an album that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. … Continue reading
Just when this year’s Oscar nominations have reminded us of how far the quality of film scores and songs have fallen, along comes jazz guitarist Dave Stryker‘s new album—Stryker With Strings Goes To The Movies. This collection of sublime performances of exceptional material restores faith in the importance of a movie’s aural screenplay. Since this … Continue reading
precondition, the recently released album from jazz guitarist Vincenzo Virgillito, is the most thought-provoking film soundtrack I’ve hear in a long time. Oh, sure, the film for it hasn’t been made yet, but all of the drama, tension, release, and emotion is there, believe me. Produced by Vincenzo Virgillito and Roberto Filoseta, precondition is a … Continue reading
What the world needs now are the contemporary jazz sounds of Doug MacDonald. Luckily, it is available on Santa Monica Session—the recently released album on Dmac Music. The songs performed display the musician’s versatility and sense of adventure. Familiar grooves are given a breezy treatment, and all is well with the world. A residual effect … Continue reading
What a delicious recording. Thank you, Benjie Porecki, for All That Matters. It will stay in my CD drive through the winter, and likely beyond. It is a comforting, stimulating, inspiring, collection of well curated songs, all played masterfully. There is a vibe captured on this album that reminds one of the process of falling … Continue reading
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