Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Blues From Chicago To Paris: A Tribute To Memphis Slim And Willie Dixon

Stony Plain, 2022

9/10

Listen to Blues From Chicago To Paris

The JUNO Award Winner and Boogie Woogie Piano Hall of Famer Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne knows his way around a tune you won’t soon forget, and here along with Russell Jackson (acoustic bass, vocals) and Joey DiMarco (drums) he pays homage to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon.

“Rock And Rolling This House” starts the listen with Wayne’s jumpy keys illuminating the warm and rhythmic climate, and “The Way She Loves A Man” follows with playful bass complementing the powerful vocals amid the soulful landscape.

Further on, “African Hunch” brings a firm groove into the timeless blues delivery, while “One More Time” showcases the very meticulous drumming and agile piano playing. “After While”, the album’s best, then recruits strategic backing vocals as the lively demeanor emits a retro flavor.

Nearing the end, “I Ain’t Gonna Be No Monkey Man” bops and shakes with an infectious blues energy, and “Wish Me Well” exits the listen with focus on Wayne’s keys and voice in the powerful and inimitable finish.

At 77 year old, Wayne shows no signs of slowing down, and his lengthy career dabbling in jazz, Latin, R&B, and soul is certainly present and appreciated on this outstanding tribute listen.

Travels well with: Bob Corritore & Friends- Spider In My Stew; Johnny Burgin- Live

Juan Carlos Quintero

Table For Five

Moondo, 2022

8/10

Listen to Table For Five

A veteran in the area of jazz and world music, Juan Carlos Quintero has been at the helm of nearly a dozen albums since 1988, and here he’s aligned with Eddie Resto, Joe Rotondi, Joey DeLeon, and Aaron Serfaty for a mix of originals and standards that focuses on the heritage of Colombia, where Quintero was born.

“Alone Together” starts the listen with Carlos’ warm guitar alongside Resto’s playful bass as much rhythm enters the cultured opener, and “Mambo Balahu” follows with precise drumming from Serfaty as an adventurous jazz climate unfolds.

At the halfway point, “Table For Five… At The Cumbia Inn” benefits much from the dynamic rhythm section as plenty of melody surrounds the busy landscape, while “Song For My Father” showcases Rotondi’s eloquent piano prowess amid a cha-cha-cha rhythm.

“Giant Steps” and “Beautiful Love” bookend the listen, where the former moves swiftly and showcases DeLeon’s skilled percussion, and the latter finishes sublime, bare and full of a timeless beauty on the aptly titled exit.

This is the first album of his own that Quintero has produced since the ‘80s, and it documents his superb guitar playing and timeless vision of music that’s intimate, exploratory and full of Latin jazz flavor you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Jorge Garcia- Dedicated To You; TriTone Asylum- The Hideaway Sessions

Old Crow Medicine Show

Paint This Town

ATO, 2022

8/10

Listen to Paint This Town

The Nashville roots rockers Old Crow Medicine Show return with a 7th studio album of their old-time, folk, country, bluegrass and Americana ways, and this time it’s focused on American mythology and was recorded in their own studio- a first for the band.

The title track opens the listen with swift acoustic strumming and plenty of grit and melody entering the flowing roots rock, and “Bombs Away” follows with furious fiddle playing that suits the barnyard rocker perfectly and will certainly get your body moving to the lively energy.

Elsewhere, “Honey Chile” trims the pace back with power and emotion entering the poetic storytelling that builds into a lush rocker, while “Reasons To Run” enters dreamy territory that benefits much from warm lap steel and stirring vocals. “Used To Be A Mountain”, the album’s best, then thumps and shakes with a busy and loud display of the band’s inimitable version of rural rock.

“John Brown’s Dream” arrives near the end and recruits well timed harmonica amid a psychedelia that makes for a blurry, exciting selection, and “Hillbilly Boy” exits the listen with no shortage of twang on the back porch romper that’s raw and just so memorable.

Whether you’ve been following along for awhile or are a first time listener, you’ll certainly be impressed with this new batch of tunes. There’s some deeply personal tracks along with much welcomed social commentary, and it’s all fleshed out with an eclectic nature that even touches on gospel and southern balladry in a way that only O.C.M.S can.

Travels well with: The Devil Makes Three- Chains Are Broken; Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia

Buffalo Rose

Rabbit

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Rabbit

A six piece Americana/folk outfit from Pennsylvania, Buffalo Rose make the most out of these 4 tunes, where Lucy Clabby (vocals), Margot Jezerc (vocals), Bryce Rabideau (mandolin), Malcolm Inglis (dobro), Jason Rafalak (upright bass), and Shane McLaughlin (guitar, vocals) pen a powerful and atypical version of modern-folk sounds.

“Runaway” opens the listen with Clabby’s strong, soaring pipes alongside McLaughlin’s playful percussion as the warm mandolin makes an impression, and “Green Light” follows with a soulful approach that benefits from the carefully plucked bass in the vocally fluid version of folk music.

The back half of the listen bring us the sublime “I Give You The Morning”, where Tom Paxton’s deep vocals complement the dreamy climate that mixes breezy acoustic guitar with cozy vocal harmonizing, and “Jennifer’s Rabbit” exits the listen with a bit of mystery that welcomes strings to the atypical atmosphere.

A very exciting meshing of Americana, roots, alt-country and indie-folk sensibilities, Rabbit serves as a fine introduction to Buffalo Rose, and hints at even more greatness in their upcoming new album.

Travels well with: Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up; Gary Louris- Jump For Joy

Darren Johnston

Life In Time

Origin, 2022

8/10

Listen to Life In Time

The Brooklyn resident Darren Johnston knows his way around a trumpet, and here with Geof Bradfield, Clark Sommers and Dana Hall he lays down 10 originals penned by both himself and Bradfield that bring a very distinct and articulate form of jazz.

“Asherah” starts the listen with Johnston’s soulful trumpet alongside Sommers’ carefully plucked bass and Bradfield’s warm sax, and “Little Gold Fish” follows with a busy and swift delivery of adventurous drumming thanks to Hall, as the dynamic brass illuminates the radiant song craft.

“Lost And Found” lands in the middle, and flows with a very busy but controlled climate of stylish jazz sensibilities, while “Shade”, the album’s best, emits bright brass, frisky drums and bouncy bass in an infectious landscape.

Residing near the end, “The Color Of The Wall Of The Room That Reminded Me” is an unpredictable and charming take on avant-garde jazz, and “Song For Kamala” exits the listen with all their respective talents shining in a meticulous nature.

Johnston manipulates his instrument in profoundly exciting ways, and his Chicago based companions certainly hold their own on this unique jazz listen that you can’t help but admire.

Travels well with: Jared Sims- Against All Odds; John Moulder- Metamorphosis

Josie Bello

Resilience

Origin, 2022

9/10

Listen to Resilience

The multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Josie Bello returns with her 3rd album, and she’s joined by Mike Nugent, Shawn Murray, Jim Small, Richie Guerrero and Shawn Dolan for the introspective effort.

Bello starts the 9 song listen with the warm and poetic “Rising”, where her gorgeous pipes are met with light percussion from Dolan and cozy guitar from Nugent, and the title track follows with a firm presence on drums thanks to Murray, as a thumping version of Americana unfolds with Bello’s eloquent storytelling.

Halfway through, “I Am Empty” lands in country territory, where Bello’s well timed organ aligns with some gospel influences, while “Love That’s Real” showcases her accordion skills in a playful and upbeat album highlight that’s immediately memorable.

Further down the line, “Coffee Shop Open Mic” offers a breezy version of roots rock that benefits much from a charming melody, and “Too Many Changes” exits the listen with Small’s soothing harmonica adding much to the lush and folk friendly climate.

Bello already made me a fan with 2021’s Have Purpose Live Long, and this outing is equally as well thought out, and again spotlights her strong attention to detail and universally engaging song craft that we could never tire of.

Travels well with: Josie Bello- Have Purpose Live Long; Jared Sims- Against All Odds

Jared Sims

Against All Odds

Origin, 2022

8/10

Listen to Against All Odds

A veteran saxophonist and songwriter, Jared Sims returns with his 10th solo album, and he’s got Steve Fell, Keala Kaumeheiwa, Luther Gray and Amy M. Alvarez with him for the 7 original compositions.

The title track opens the listen with Sims’ bright sax alongside frisky drumming from Gray as a warm, timeless jazz climate unfolds, and “Flowering” follows with a cautious approach of playfully plucked bass from Kaumeheiwa and soft guitar lines from Fell.

Halfway through, “Dear Gaia” welcomes Alvarez’s poetry to the dreamy and soothing delivery, while “No Name Days” brings plenty of melody and emotion to the dynamic chemistry.

Further still, “Threnody” pushes and pulls with a unique tension that showcases Sims’ strong brass prowess amid gentle drums and restrained guitar, and “Angst” exits with an upbeat pulse of intricate guitar, agile drumming and, of course, proficient sax.

Much like everything Sims has been behind, this effort is shimmering in charming jazz nods, where each player’s respective strengths are highlighted in the honest tracks that illuminate all the greatness in life.

Travels well with: John Moulder- Metamorphosis; Karen Marguth- Until

Erisy Watt

Eyes Like The Ocean

American Standard Time, 2022

8/10

Listen to Eyes Like The Ocean

The Portland based artist Erisy Watt returns with a sophomore album, where her contemporary folks sounds and retro nods were recorded live to tape to capture the sophisticated, celestial songs.

Watt opens the listen with the stirring and soft “New Same”, where her poetic singing and warm acoustic guitar are joined by Cooper Trails’ agile drumming, and “Big Sky” follows with a cozy folk spirit entering the gorgeous climate that benefits from Mike Gamble’s light keys.

At the halfway point, “Leave The Light” offers a hypnotic and introspective album highlight that takes help from Jason Montegomery’s radiant pedal steel, while “Nowhere Fast” strums with a quicker appeal of fuller songwriting that’s breezy in a timeless, folksy sort of way.

“Moon” and “Annapurna” exit the listen, where the former truly showcases the strength of Watt’s diverse pipes amid dreamy harmonies, and the latter finishes bare, intimate and full of aching pedal steel and eloquent singing that’s complemented by Alexis Mahler’s strings.

An often soft affair that’s quite mature, peaceful and vocally mesmerizing, Watt is in fine company here, and it makes for a substantial body of work that anyone with an ear for indie-folk will appreciate.

Travels well with: The Pine Hearts- Lost Love Songs; Sad Daddy- Way Up In The Hills

Jorge Garcia

Dedicated To You

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Dedicated To You

A Cuban-born jazz guitarist who has worked with Tony Bennett, Chuck Redd and Jon Faddis, to name a few, Jorge Garcia collaborates with Richie Cole and Hendrikk Meurkens, among others, for the playful jazz spirit of these originals and standards.

“Minority” starts the listen with quick and soulful sax from Cole as Garcia’s warm guitar guides the frisky drumming from James Cotmon, and “This One’s For Richie” follows with swinging mid-tempo fun, where Garcia’s guitar solo makes a sizable impression.

In the middle, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” recruits Wendy Pedersen’s pretty pipes for the smooth interpretation of the classic, while “You Fascinate Me So” showcases Paul Banman’s mature piano prowess amid the meticulous guitar lines.

Moving towards the end, “S’Wonderful” does justice to the Gershwin original, where Garcia’s swift finger picking is nothing short of stunning, and the title track exits the listen dreamy and melodic, where Garcia’s guitar flows alongside the synthesized string background from Banman.

Although his name might not be widely known in jazz circles, Garcia certainly makes an impact with Dedicated To You, and let’s hope there’s more on the horizon soon.

Travels well with: TriTone Asylum- The Hideaway Sessions; The Matt Gordy Jazz Tonite Sextet- Be With Me

Eliane Amherd

La Dégustation

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to La Dégustation

A singer, guitarist and songwriter, Eliane Amherd has formally studied jazz, but also embraces Latin, African and Brazilian ideas into her unique song craft, and here Amanda Ruzza, Rose Avila, Bashiri Johnson, and Pauline Lugon join her for the careful and adventurous listen.

“Gamaret” opens the listen with no shortage of rhythm, as Amherd’s powerful pipes guide the soulful, psychedelic climate, and “Humagne Rouge” follows with Rosa Avila’s agile drumming highlighting the cultured landscape.

In the middle, “Cornalin” benefits much from Bashiri Johnson’s pretty percussion as the calmer delivery is quite soothing, while “Johannely Fy” showcases Amanda Ruzza’s playful bass lines amid the cozy atmosphere that’s a bit funky.

Approaching the end, “Flee Flailing” is full of breezy melodies that are executed with warmth, and “Quarantini Time” exits the listen with a festive spirit that’s energetic, memorable and displays the band’s worldly vision.

A listen where no tracks run the same course, Amherd sings in French, English, and Walliser Titsch, the Swiss-German dialect spoken in the upper valley of canton Valais, and together with the esteemed players it makes for a groove filled and passionate endeavor.

Travels well with: Adrianne Duncan- Gemini; Roland Tempelaar- New York Chapter

JoyRide

JoyRide

JoyRide, 2022

8/10

Listen to JoyRide

A very aptly titled outfit, Colin Maier (oboe, bass, harmonica, vocals) and Charles Cozens (piano, accordion, vocals) don’t sit in one place very long across these 14 tracks that inject ragtime, blues, gypsy, classical and klezmer into their curious brand of jazz.

“Spirit Of Earth” opens the listen with light keys and soft bass as Colin and Charles look back on a charming tour story, and “Tiger Rag” follows with a swift ragtime feel as oboe acrobatics and accordion fun make for a very memorable track that brings us back many decades.

Deeper into the affair, “Rhapsody In Light Blue” interprets the Gershwin tune with much warmth where rich textures unfold with a meticulous nature, while “Air On A Blue String” recruits viola, violin and cello from members of the Burlington New Millenium Orchestra for the very mature and sweeping album highlight that improvises melody with much skill.

The strings return for the playful and bouncy rhythm and intricate harmony of “Tango de la Noche”, and Chick Corea’s “La Fiesta” exits the listen with mesmerizing piano and reflective oboe, as the pair interact with much chemistry while paying homage to a legend who passed away recently.

The addition of plenty of story telling really adds much to the appeal here, and the energy of the listen gives it a live feel. Add the variety of moods and lyrical topics, and you get a record that has something for everyone.

Travels well with: Bernie Senensky- Don’t Look Back; Greg Amirault- News Blues

Blue Road Records Studio Sessions Band

The Ira Tribute Album

Blue Road Records, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Ira Tribute Album

The guitarist Brev Sullivan pays tribute to his father and mentor Ira here, where the Blue Road Records Studio Sessions Band, which features the finest musicians from South Florida, preserve Ira’s accomplished legacy.

“I Get A Kick Out Of You” leads the listen with swift drumming from Kevin Abanto, as smooth guitar lines and Javier Espinoza’s cozy bass work makes the most out of the lively climate, and “Monday’s Dance” follows with a calmer approach of sublime beauty and soulful textures.

At the midpoint, “Icarus” lands in psychedelic friendly areas as the 3 guitars mesh with Yainer Horta’s keys and sax in a hazy sort of way, while “Nineveh” enters rock territory with the soaring guitar work and acrobatic drumming mesmerizing us in the album highlight.

Approaching the end, the festive landscape of “Espresso Bueno” unfolds like a Latin dance song that will get your body in motion, and “Amazing Grace” exits the listen with Sullivan as the sole guitarist on the gorgeous and dreamy finish that’s intimate in a very stirring fashion.

Ira passed away in 2020 at the age of 89, and these songs sure do pay homage to the legendary multi-instrumentalist and educator in very thoughtful and adventurous ways that capture his bebop prowess splendidly.

Travels well with: Eric Goletz- A New Light; The Chris Saunders Band- Dancing With The Widow St. James

Tritone Asylum

The Hideaway Sessions

Blue Canoe, 2022

9/10

Listen to The Hideaway Sessions

A Los Angeles jazz ensemble who are as exciting as they are unpredictable, the TriTone Asylum brings us 8 originals here penned by founding members Phil Topping and Peter Sepsis, where their ‘electro-acoustic’ formula embraces brass, woods and EVI, among others.

“Grasshopper” starts the listen with Ian Vo’s warm tenor sax and Mitch Forman’s agile keys complementing the cultured percussion from Billy Hulting in the stylish jazz climate that tips its hat to Latin/Calypso ideas, and “Schizophrenic” follows with spacey buzzing alongside Andy Waddell’s fluid guitar and Philip Topping’s bright sax, as the 10 minutes explores plenty of cozy textures.

“The Road To Hue” occupies the middle spot and welcomes Gary Herbig on flute as a haunting landscape unfolds that benefits much from Peter Sepsis’ strategic bass lines, while “Malawi” places Baba Sissoko on vocals in the percussive strong and cultured album highlight.

Close to the end, “Simple” is a live offering, where the brass, guitars and Dave Johnstone’s proficient drumming mesh for an exploratory 12+ minutes of fusion jazz, prog and rock ideas, and “First Days Of Summer” exits the listen with Allen Mascari’s tenor sax adding much to the firm keys and dancing melodies of the dynamic finish.

A very complicated listen that’s still quite accessible to anyone who appreciates harmony, there’s much heart in these compositions, and each one is fleshed out with the utmost care and will likely get your body moving.

Travels well with: Dave Stryker- As We Are; Bill O’Connell- Wind Off The Hudson

Jean-Michel Blais

Aubades

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Aubades

A Canadian pianist with a penchant for post-classical sounds, Jean-Michel Blais writes for an ensemble for the first time here, where songs penned during Covid and following a break up unfold with strong attention to tone and texture in their instrumental environment.

“murmures” opens the listen with the flowing and melodic keys making an instant impression as much beauty radiates a timeless approach, and “passepied” follows with jumpy strings and a vibrant energy that emits an unpredictable and exciting version of chamber sounds.

In the middle, “ouessant” brings an emotive quality to the careful string manipulation and rich textures, while “if you build it they will come” is an intimate and stirring display of sublime piano work.

Approaching the end, “absinthe”, the albums best, weaves in and out of gorgeous ideas of gentle, soothing song craft, and “doux” exits the listen calm, even meditative, where Blais’ piano is nothing short of stunning.

An excellent leap from being a pianist to also a composer, Blais is in fine company for the journey, and it makes for an uplifting, warm and touching effort.

Travels well with: Cameron Carpenter- Bach & Hanson; Daniil Trifonov- BACH: The Art Of Life

Micah Graves

Not For The Ordinary- Pawns

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Not For The Ordinary- Pawns

At this inception into the instrument, Micah Graves was playing classical piano, but it wasn’t long until his focus shifted to jazz, and while finishing up his education he started penning songs that would turn him into a very prolific artist.

Pawns, his first of three albums to be recorded in 2022, has Graves meshing funk, bebop and jazz into a very animated formula that welcomes a small handful of esteemed musicians.

The album opens with the swift and dynamic title track, where Graves’ keys are met with Robby Cruz’s bright trumpet and Shafiq Hicks’ sparing but effective vocals, and “Spirit” follows with Yesseh Ali’s flowing sax and Julian Miltenberger’s proficient drumming complementing Danielle Dougherty’s soulful pipes.

In the middle, “Inner Beast” mesmerizes us with soaring brass as meticulous keys and plenty of atmosphere is present, while “Fed Up” features Dick Oats on alto saxophone in the sophisticated landscape that benefits much from Zach Guise’s playful bass work.

Near the end, “When We Fall” showcases Dougherty’s diverse and pretty vocals in the lush album highlight, and “The Hague” exits the listen warm and spirited, where Zach Fischer’s agile guitar and Cruz’s trumpet don’t disappoint.

A very unpredictable outing, the mixed meter, odd time signatures and wealth of harmony present makes for an exceptional listen, and it will be exciting to see what else Graves has in store for 2022.

Travels well with: Kenny Shanker- Vortex; Aaron Bazzell- Aesthetic

Kenny Shanker

Vortex

Wise Cat, 2022

8/10

Listen to Vortex

Kenny Shanker is a man of many talents, and here he handles saxophone across 10 originals and standards as he welcomes Bill Mobley, Daisuke Abe, Mike Eckroth, Yoshi Waki and Brian Fishler to the exciting jazz listen.

The title track opens the listen with Mobley’s warm trumpet complementing Shanker’s sax prowess and Eckroth’s elegant and frisky piano as a timeless jazz atmosphere unfolds, and “Lulu’s Back In Town” follows with a cozy meshing of crisp drumming from Fishler, strategic bass thanks to Waki, and, of course, Shanker’s sublime brass.

“Ramble” lands in the middle and brings Mobley back on trumpet, as Abe’s proficient guitar accents the laid back climate, while “Nightfall” takes a calmer path of sublime and introspective song craft that’s quite stirring.

Near to the end, the plucky bass and soprano sax from Shanker helps make for a playful and stylish album highlight, and “Autumn Leaves” exits the listen gentle and cozy, as Shanker’s graceful sax is showcased amid the charming bass and the meticulous guitar.

This is Shanker’s 3rd effort for the Wise Cat label, and like all of his work, it’s full of top notch songwriting, a flawless execution and strong attention to detail that any fan of jazz will admire.

Travels well with: Joe LoCascio- Book Of Days; Aaron Bazzell- Aesthetic

Wayne Alpern

Secular Rituals

Henri Elkan, 2022

9/10

Listen to Secular Rituals

The New York resident Wayne Alpern never does anything conventional, and here he handles all instruments on a jazz and classically tinted affair that also welcomes creative looping and world music ideas into the sonic landscape.

“Utopia” gets the listen off to a very mesmerizing start, where classical nods and post-rock textures enter the atypical climate, and “Victims Of Venom” follows with firm drumming that segues into a very swift display of percussive acrobatics.

Further down the line, “Gomoa Fetta” offers a raw and rhythmic version of repetition and synthetic sounds that appears indebted to African ideas, while “Brave Art” flows with a hazy quality amid the thumping drums and ominous atmosphere. “Bach CmP” then emits a bright and quick display of meticulous keys that’ll occupy significant space in your mind all day.

“Triangularity” and “Vishvakarma” exit the listen, where the former is both calm and exploratory, and the latter finishes with Eastern influences amid Alpern’s iconoclastic and inviting song craft.

To say that Alpern’s music is genre defying would be putting it mildly. His diverse skills and inimitable approach to songwriting make every song here completely different from the rest, and as a whole it’s a stunning and unforgettable listen.

Travels well with: Wayne Alpern- Frankenstein; Billy Test Trio- Coming Down Roses

Joe LoCascio

Book Of Days

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Book Of Days

A veteran composer and pianist, Joe LoCascio is well versed in many types of jazz, and this 18th album brings Woody Witt, Richard Mikel and Daniel Dufour on board for 11 originals of fluid jazz sensibilities.

“Fantomas” starts the listen with graceful keys and Witt’s bright sax making for a cautious and emotive version of jazz, and “Vergennes” follows with a quicker pace of tumbling drums from Dufour as the soulful brass guides a very energetic climate.

The middle tunes are some of the best, and include the sublime and introspective, piano focused “Brother”, while “Lighthouse” moves with a dynamic spirit, where Mikel’s proficient bass adds much to the textured landscape.

Deeper still, “Broken Angels” bring a bit of tension to the hypnotic delivery that’s even a tad dreamy, too, and “Vigil” exits the listen with the intricate keys, punchy drumming, mesmerizing bass and gripping sax making for the perfect finish to the meticulous effort.

There’s an undeniable chemistry between these 4, and with LoCascio’s creative and accomplished vision at the helm, there just isn’t a dull moment to be found on Book Of Days.

Travels well with: Aaron Bazzell- Aesthetic; Sergio- Pereira- Finesse

Aaron Bazzell

Aesthetic

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Aesthetic

The musician, composer and educator Aaron Bazzell might have started his saxophone career in classical music, but these days he’s fully immersed in jazz sounds, and he brings along Rachel Robinson, Keith Brown, Brandon Donald and Jonathan Michel for this debut album.

Bazzell leads with the title track, where his adventurous sax is met with Brown’s warm keys in the dynamic climate, and “Asked And Answered” follows with playfully plucked bass from Michel as the soothing brass guides a charming version of jazz.

In the middle, “Purpose” benefits much from Donald’s proficient drumming as Bazzell’s sax acrobatics enthrall us, while “Eventually”, the lone track with vocals, showcases Robinson’s pretty pipes in the dreamy landscape.

“Up And Away” and “Increase And Persist” exit the listen, where the former builds into a dizzying display of sublime and frisky jazz prowess, and the latter finishes the listen furious, meticulous and full of unpredictable and appreciated textures.

An album that poetically surrounds both the beauty and battle that is the human experience, Bazzell and company put much care into these songs, and it makes for an exceptional first record.

Travels well with: Sergio Pereira- Finesse; Thomas Heflin- Morning Star

James Carter Organ Trio

Live From Newport Jazz

Blue Note, 2019

9/10

Listen to Live From Newport Jazz

A saxophone wizard who has been active since the early ‘90s, James Carter makes his Blue Note debut here with a riveting live performance from the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival.

“Le Manoir De Mes Reves” starts the listen with warm organs and playful sax as the calm setting breeds timeless jazz and blues sounds, and “Melodie Au Crepuscule” follows with plenty of grooves and flowing rhythm with brass acrobatics from Carter that border on funk.

The back half of the listen offers the quick paced and dynamic interplay of “La Valse Des Niglos”, which moves at shuffling pace, while “Pour Que Ma Vie Demeure” brings a slow burning affair of cautious yet playful balladry. “Fleche d’Or” ends the performance with a festive spirit where frisky instrumentation touches on bop and swing fun.

An artist who is skilled at both gypsy and organ jazz, together with Alex White and Gerard Gibbs the trio deliver one of the best live jazz sets in recent history.

Travels well with: The Art Ensemble Of Chicago- Tutankhamun; Kendrick Scott Oracle- A Wall Becomes A Bridge