Cuneiform Records released this gem by The Microscopic Septet in 2017 and it has held up well. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “Since storming back into action in 2006 after a 14-year hiatus, the radically old-school combo has continued to evolve and extend its reputation. The new album builds on Continue Reading
Jazz
Petyaev-Petyaev – Incomparable Greatness
Brothers Peter Petyaev (saxophone) and Pavel Petyaev (guitar) released a collaborative album near the end of January 2026. It is free in its improvisational greatness but subdued in energy. This is not a nuclear blast of energy but a gentle romp that sounds active enough to be interesting without making your eardrums burst. Continue Reading
Mujician – The Journey
Mujician was perhaps one of the greatest improvisational groups to come out of England, and this album shows them in peak form. The band consisted of clarinetist and saxophonist Paul Dunmall, backed by drummer Tony Levin (not the King Crimson bassist), bassist Paul Rogers (not the hard rocker), and Keith Continue Reading
Zao – Kawana
Magma alumni Yochk’o Seffer and François “Faton” Cahen recorded under the name Zao, producing an album that is at once progressive, zeuhl, and heavily influenced by Miles-era jazz fusion. Deep and dark, it also features Didier Lockwood on violin, Gérard Prévost and Bill Gagnon on bass, Jean My Truong and Christian Saint Continue Reading
Eiko Ishibashi – For McCoy
Black Truffle is an intriguing new label that offers a fine album by composer Eiko Ishibashi, one that sounds like it would have found a place on ECM Records had circumstances been different. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Black Truffle is pleased to announce For McCoy, a new work by Continue Reading
Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti – Folk Songs
Folk Songs was my introduction to ECM Records during my youth. It must have been around 1985, while I was in high school and just beginning to explore jazz, alongside my strong interest in post-punk and industrial music. The album was unlike anything I expected; it sounded more like a small chamber Continue Reading
Urbanator feat. Urszula Dudziak – Papaya Dance (Remix Party)
Michał Urbaniak has passed away today at the age of 82. His work covered everything from jazz and fusion to disco-style numbers like this ditty he recorded with scat singer Urszula Dudziak, which became a worldwide hit. Not exactly happy Christmas news, I’m afraid. Farewell, Michał.
Ezra Collective – Joy To The World
As Christmas happily approaches, the Ezra Collective has released a rather cool EP of instrumental Christmas tunes in their own inimitable style. Happy Advent to you all.
Various Artists – Easy Tempo Experience Vol.1 – Cinematic Jazz
If this available track by Piero Umiliani is any indication, then Easy Tempo will soon release a scorching new compilation!
Various Artists – Moochin’ About: Minnie The Moocher At The Morgue
What a shame that I didn’t find this release three weeks ago, as it would have been perfect party music for the Halloween party I attended! Artists on this creepy album include Bobby “Boris” Pickett, Bo Diddley, Spike Jones, Billie Holiday, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and, of course, Cab Calloway Continue Reading