Category Jazz
Mette Henriette–Drifting
Flowing, lyrical sax with other occasional instruments.
McKain/Murray/Radichel/Weeks – Live at Century [Public Archives]
Classic return to the Loft Scene of New York but in the 21st century. Absolutely ripping live set from 4 of the best improvising musicians around today. Not for the faint of heart but a very rewarding listen. RIYL: Frank Lowe, Albert Ayler, Frank Wright
THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER- RYAN DEVLIN
Straight ahead and contemporary. Ryan Devlin has paid his dues in the practice room, but does not offer any great inspiration or surprises on tenor saxophone or as a composer. All tracks offer good, solid jazz, but not super memorable.
The Discussions – Past Patterns (Voltage Controlled Life) [LOCAL]
Local instrumental ensemble The Discussions bring the compositions of pianist Greg Rothwell to life beautifully on their new album. Typical jazz instruments are combined with string arrangements and wordless vocal harmonies for a sound that defies genre boundaries while still being thoroughly accessible. Highly recommended! Track Picks: 1, 4 FCC: Clean RIYL: Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck, […]
The Music of Don Thompson
Gracious jazz/classical works for double bass + piano.
The Comet Is Coming – Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam [Impulse!]
On this London-based Band’s last orbit around the universe, The Comet Is Coming synthesized an interstellar, psychedelic, astro-funk album in the realm of electronica. This new release delves heavily into electronic and synthesized beats, while tying in Earthly horns and other jazz instrumentation. The experimental sound will be sure to put you in a daze […]
Tom Pearo – The Beautiful In Between (Self-released) [LOCAL]
From Bandcamp: “Ambient jazz guitarist Tom Pearo creates uniquely beautiful, strange and often magical recordings that take the listener on an inner journey. His third album, The Beautiful In Between, is an instrumental commentary on intermediate states, both physical and mental, that exist in between departure and arrival.” Track Picks: 2, 3, 5 FCC: Clean […]
Eliana Samalin – Bookstore Boy
Eliana Samalin’s new single is a delightful sequel/alternative to Charlie Burg’s “Bookstore Girl”. Through powerful harmonies and captivating rhythm, Samalin provides a new perspective and tone in this classic bookstore love story.
Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge – Gary Bartz JID006
Spaced out jazzy jams featuring the one and only saxophone legend Gary Bartz. Layered production from Younge and Muhammad and intricate grooves from Greg Paul create a lush soundscape for Bartz’s improvisation, which takes up the majority of the record. Track Picks: 1, 3, 6 FCC: Clean RIYL: Return to Forever, DOMi and JD BECK, […]
Casper Hill – Living Creatures
Casper Hill’s third album release integrates a variety of sounds from soft, moving ukulele to chaotic guitar noise, with emotional, touching lyrics throughout. It feels like a collage that is so difficult to decipher you must allow yourself to float down the winding river it paints. Living Creatures transcends genre, and is simply the purest […]
Bob Jones/Louis Jones/Stephen Peppos – 50/80: 50 years in 80 minutes
This album describes the artists experience over the past 50 years in an 80 minute album. This music acts as a snapshot of history over the years. My personal favorite songs from the album are ‘Springtime Lady’ and ‘Too much to Bear’. The interesting combination of music styles work well together to tell the story […]
Roy Ayers, Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge – Jazz Is Dead 2 (Jazz Is Dead)
Vibraphone player Roy Ayers teams up with two iconic hip-hop producers for an interesting collaboration containing elements of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. The tracks flow together smoothly featuring excellent vocals in most songs and hypnotic rhythms. The album is somewhat mellow, sounds excellent at night, and ironically helps prove that jazz is indeed not dead. […]
Nate Smith – Kinfolk 2: See the Birds – Edition Records
Drummer/composer Nate Smith is back with his fifth album as a leader and presents multi-genres and styles including jazz fusion, neo-soul, funk, rock and hip hop. Guests include Vernon Reid, Regina Carter and Brittany Howard. Play track #2, #6, #10 and #11 FCC: Clean RIYL: Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Jose James
MATT BERRY – “BEATMAKER” FEAT. EMMA NOBLE (single) [SELF-RELEASED]
Brand-new at the beginning of the year, this soul-funk cover of a 1970 Doris song cruises along in a sweet, cocktail-drinking, canapé-eating groove that’s never heard of a pandemic. Flies a little close to the original and lacks the big organ n’ horns solo, but sometimes all you need is a modern throwback that’s horrifically […]
Immanuel Wilkins – The 7th Hand [Blue Note]
The sophomore release from wonderful Philly saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins. Same quartet as his previous release Omega and this one is equally as good, building upon a strong foundation and forging ahead a new tradition. FCC: Clean RIYL: Joel Ross, Kenny Garrett, Harish Raghavan
mitamu – sunflower in the east [Self-Released]
Absurdly hip record from vocalist Tammy Hyunh that tells her story of being Asian in American. RIYL: Jeanne Lee, Moonchild
Jamael Dean – Primordial Waters [Stones Throw]
A beautiful piece of music inspired by the likes of all “jazz”‘s celestial fore folks. RIYL: Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders FCC: Clean
Ben Tiberio – Rare Peace [Outside In]
Outside In Music is thrilled to announce the September 17, 2021 release of Rare Peace, the debut album from bassist and composer Ben Tiberio. Tiberio has become a staple on the NYC jazz scene, his scintillating playing can be heard alongside such jazz greats as Ari Hoenig, Dayna Stephens, Gretchen Parlato, and Joel Ross, whose debut record Kingmaker features Tiberio […]
Michael Feinberg – Hard Times [Fresh Sounds New Talent]
Funky nice stuff that hearkens back to the hayday of “Jazz” music. RIYL: Art Blakey, Horace Silver
Bayou
A mix of classical/jazz/folk, some with voice–for piano, drums, clarinet, voice. Quiet and slow, mostly. Exploratory music by Stronen, Tanaka & Lee, the performers.
Cochemea (Daptone) Vol. II Baca Sewa
The wonderful sequel to the All My Relations album. Organic percussion is center stage and connects us to the roots of African and Latin music, but shares the stage well with a soulful and smooth sax that acts as the voice of every song. It’s a wonderful dance between drum and sax that sounds both […]
Various Artists (Tru Thoughts) Tru Thoughts Covers 3
Awesome compilation from an amazing label that always delivers! This time it’s all cover songs done in many ways, jazzy upbeat versions dominate. Lots of great tracks from some great artists interpreting classics in new ways. Try: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17 RIYL: Jazzy World Music, Great Cover Songs FCC: […]
Azymuth, Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge (Jazz Is Dead) Azymuth Jazz Is Dead 4
40+ years of Brazilian influenced jazz and funk team up with legendary hip hop producers and make some gold. Smooth funk laden tracks around every turn makes smooth jazz cool again. Definitely some porn grooves making this a very fun and sexy album. Try: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, ALL RIYL: Samba, Smooth jazz, Passport, […]
Avishai Cohen–Two Roses
Recognized for his jazz works, this album is an exploration with symphony–jazz + smooth vocals + symphony. Definitely hybrid.
Cotatcha Orchestra–Bigbandova Elektrnika
A collection from various composers of classical/jazz or solely jazz electronics, varied rhythmically
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