A fine name for a project, Maggot Brain’s Intergalactic Quartet also deliver some great music to fit it. There are elements of jazz fusion, King Crimson, and a thick bass line. Almost psych-ish music to groove to.
Jazz
Tigran Hamasyan – StandArt
It’s not exactly Christmas music (today is when our Armenian brothers in the faith celebrate theirs, and we celebrate ours tomorrow), but any opportunity to hear the music of the excellent Armenian-American pianist Tigran Hamasyan is a happy event. May you all enjoy your holy day!
Selen Gülün – Years
On this tenth album by Turkish pianist (and frequent visitor to Japan) Selen Gülün, she remains in fine form. She’s no stranger to our blog, and it’s been far too long since we had the pleasure of hearing modern jazz done right. From her Bandcamp site: “Selen Gülün’s tenth album, Continue Reading
Remembering China’s ‘Godfather of Jazz’
Read the original article by Cai Yiwen from Sixth Tone here. I occasionally run into some great articles on Chinese social media, mainly WeChat. If you aren’t afraid of being allegedly ‘bugged’ by the Chinese government (and you shouldn’t be, since the CIA go through your calls if you use Continue Reading
Luneta Freedom Jazz Collective – Mga matang pumipikit sa langit
Welcome to 2025! Our first release is from the brilliant Bulgarian experimental music label Mahorka, and their latest offering is phenomenal. The Luneta Freedom Jazz Collective are from Manila, Philippines, and this is a strangely elegant release. My favorite track of the album, Ang itak ng kamalayan – Isang Ritual, Continue Reading
Barre Phillips – Ahoy!
The world of improvisational music lost one of its biggest icons a couple of days ago. Barre Phillips, a bassist known for his being adaptable to any style, passed away on December 28. He worked with legends like Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley, Archie Shepp, Peter Brötzmann (whom we also lost Continue Reading
Attilio Zanchi – Mingus Portrait
In July, we featured a remix release by Attilio Zanchi which the stunningly good Right Tempo Records released, but now, we have the absolute pleasure to point you to the original from the man himself. From the release’s Bandcamp page: “”If I have to make one last record, now that Continue Reading
Yazz Ahmed – A Paradise In The Hold
It has been a long time since I had a chance to dig into the work of Bahraini/British trumpeter Yazz Ahmed’s works. She has a new album due on January 1, 2025, and judging by the one track available, it will be blending of deep fusion with Middle Eastern musical Continue Reading
Dimitar Dodovski – Liminal
(North) Macedonian composer Dimitar Dodevski offers a shimmering album blending Jon Hassell’s “Fourth World” sound with ambient and jazz fusion. A gentle, relaxing wade into dark waters.
Freddie Hubbard – The Black Angel
I don’t know how it is possible that I missed this release, but today I would like to introduce you to Freddie Hubbard’s dark masterpiece, The Black Angel. The album will appeal to those who like Miles Davis’ seminal work, Bitches Brew. High praise, for sure, but listen and hear Continue Reading