The fact that Marshall Allen is 100 years old and making his debut album in 2025 is utterly mind-blowing. I assumed that he must have released a few solo albums considering his pedigree as a member and eventual leader of Sun Ra’s big band. This album is a lush affair, Continue Reading
Big Band
Joe Williams – Can’t Resist You – My Summer Love
This is simply a masterpiece. Joe Williams was one of the most lauded voice in the big band era, and worked with legends like Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. From Nagel Hayer’s Bandcamp site: “Simply one of the greatest Jazz or even Blues vocal albums of all time. Joe Williams Continue Reading
Maha – Orkos
The legendary Habibi Funk will be releasing another scorching release on October 10, 2022. The release will feature a singer called Maha, who hails from Egypt and who worked with Salah Ragab’s Cairo Jazz Band as their main vocalist. There is an amazing backstory you can find on the release’s Continue Reading
Henryk Debich – Dyskusja / Busz
What a jazz-funk gem this is! From the Henryk Debich Bandcamp site: Despite the ongoing pandemic, the past year was very successful for the celebration of Henryk Debich’s 100th birthday anniversary. The master’s albums: Zbliżenie [Astigmatic Records] and Horyzonty [GAD Records] turned out to be a huge success, bringing great Continue Reading
Sun Ra & His Arkestra – Ellingtonia, Vol. 1
It’s a great time to be a Sun Ra fan, especially on projects like this. This album is full of reinterpretations of the Duke Ellington catalog.
Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra – Unshackled/Bedouin Ska
Here is an impressively authentic-sounding ska coming to us from Los Angeles, California (my home town). The Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra boast of combining Jamaica’s greatest contribution to the world and a big-band sound. They pull this combination off flawlessly, and they must have one very impressive live act Continue Reading
Charlie Watts – If It Ain’t Got That Swing
Charlie Watts, the legendary bedrock of the Rolling Stones, has passed away today at the age of 80. He speaks about his experiences drumming in this video. Rest in peace, Charlie.
Salah Ragab and The Cairo Jazz Band – Egyptian Jazz
How do such wonderful musicians get lost in the mists of time? It boggles the mind, though I must say I’m happy to be living in an age of crate-divers and those who have the same passion of discovering music as I do. This particular artist, Salah Ragab, a military Continue Reading