instrumental Archive
27 Mar 2018
Seven Jazz Archival/Reissue Releases
Monty Alexander – Here Comes the Sun (MPS) Jamaican pianist Alexander has a bright, flowing and lyrical approach to his instrument. Originally released in 1971, Here Comes the Sun was […]
22 Mar 2018
Album Review: Ryan Summers — ii
Picture this scene in your mind’s eye: a desolate, windswept landscape, mostly monochromatic and largely devoid of detail, yet with ominous pockets of darkness that suggest an unknown danger lurking […]
24 Feb 2018
Album Review: Jan Sturiale — Roadmaps
A classically-trained guitarist, Jan Sturiale expertly treads the fine line between tasty guitar instrumentals and ensemble jazz. On Roadmaps, the fourth album by the Italian guitarist/composer, there’s a wide-angle focus […]
18 Nov 2017
100-word Reviews for November 2017: New Music
So much great music and so little time. Here’s ten reviews: all new music, each summed up in 100 words. All are worth your time. Bryant Fabian Marsalis – Do […]
17 Nov 2017
Evil Note Lab: Pushing the Boundaries of Live Musical Improvisation
Ableton Live is computer software that allows musicians real-time interactivity with sequences of notes, sounds and textures. While the software is often used as a creative studio tool, in the […]
09 Nov 2017
Slacktone Gets to the Good Part Quickly
Surf instrumental music is a distinct musical style, one that has persisted in popularity even as countless other musical fashions have come and gone. While today surf music enjoys a […]
03 Nov 2017
Jonah Parzen Johnson’s Combination of Man, Machine and Instrument
A saxophonist employing the circular breathing method is impressive, but not as remarkable as it once was. At the top of the creative scale, jazz legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk used […]
28 Oct 2017
Ten 100-word Reviews: Archival/Reissue Releases
With a great deal of my time these days spent working on my new book and various artist interviews, I tend to amass a backlog of albums for review. To […]
27 Oct 2017
Reviews: 12 Jazz Reissues (Part Two)
Alphonse Mouzon – In Search of a Dream (MPS) Powerhouse fusion drummer Mouzon made his name on sides by Les McCann (the stunning Invitation to Openness) and Weather Report’s debut, […]
26 Oct 2017
Reviews: 12 Jazz Reissues (Part One)
Albert Ayler Quartet – Copenhagen Live 1964 (hatOLOGY) The music of tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler (1936-1970) is assuredly not for the jazz novitiate. With an approach that makes Ornette Coleman […]