fusion Archive
08 Aug 2020
Album Review: Barrett Martin Group — Scattered Diamonds
In spring of last year, I reviewed Songs of the Firebird, a resonant and deeply intriguing album that could be described in part as a jazz album made with non-jazz […]
30 Jul 2020
Album Review: Allan Holdsworth – Frankfurt ‘86
Being an early adopter is a risky pursuit. Godley and Creme built an entire album (the triple-LP Consequences) around their Gizmo, and disaster ensued. Some of the earliest releases with […]
09 Jun 2020
Album Review: Miles Davis – Music From and Inspired by ‘Birth of the Cool’
There’s a trend in recent years: when releasing a film’s companion audio, the CD is sometimes branded as “Music From and Inspired By…” That gives to compiler of the audio […]
01 Jun 2020
30 Days Out, June 2020 #1: TAUK, Ben Folds, Vancouver Electronic Ensemble, John Prine Tribute
In recent weeks I’ve conducted interviews with a number of professions whose businesses involve servicing the music community in various ways. A consensus seems to be forming – and this […]
06 Dec 2019
Free Planet Radio: In Pursuit of Modern Jazz
When Free Planet Radio debuted in 2001, the Asheville-based trio was often described as a world music group. And while by definition that label casts a wide net, it was […]
22 Nov 2019
Righteous Jazz: A Conversation with Jeff Lorber and Mike Stern (Part 2 of 2)
Continued from Part One … [To Jeff Lorber] What is the most significant difference between your approach to your instrument today as compared to the way you played at or […]
21 Nov 2019
Righteous Jazz: A Conversation with Jeff Lorber and Mike Stern (Part 1 of 2)
Nominally a jazz fusion keyboardist and composer, Jeff Lorber is known for a particular kind of highly melodic and accessible jazz. Detractors might cal lit “smooth jazz,” a term that […]
27 Sep 2019
Album Review: Moraz & Friends – Random Kingdom
In 1976, Swiss keyboard virtuoso Patrick Moraz released his debut solo album, The Story of I. In the midst of a successful run as keyboardist for Yes – he’s all […]
14 Aug 2019
Hundred-word Reviews for August 2019, Part Three (Archival)
Time for a look at ten new albums featuring reissued, compilation and/or archival material. Rock, jazz and beyond. Collect ’em all, kids! Soul Asylum – While You Were Out / […]
16 Jun 2019
EP Review: Tub — UNCA Session
For some listeners, the very thought of improvisational music is an unappetizing prospect. The idea that a musician – or worse yet, the thinking goes, a group of musicians – […]