Our friends at Parasounder Magazine out of Tehran offer a great introduction to jazz in Europe and Iran through their podcast, JazzBuzz. In this episode, you will hear some fine music, an interview with guitarist Ali Lotfi and more jazz notes, all in Farsi. I’m proud to support my friends Continue Reading
Jazz
Shapoval Sextet – Kobzareva Duma, 1976
Ukrainian saxophonist Olexandr Shapoval performed a gem of a jazz concert that was lost for 45 years is now available to hear. From our friends at Soundohm’s website: “In winter 1976, a few years before Olexandr Shapoval headed up the well-known band Vodogray, a jazz band called Shapoval Sextet recorded three pieces “Kobzareva Duma” Continue Reading
Various Artists – Pierre Barouh and the Saravah Sound
As I’ve been stewing over this release for well over a month now, it’s exciting to finally announce that today, this scorching compilation is finally available on vinyl and download from our friends at WeWantSounds. In fact, the only depressing thing about this gem is that I can’t hear it Continue Reading
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo – Só Não Toca Quem Não quer (1987) – Remastered
Brazil’s finest living export (to my ears, anyway) has been quite active over the past few years, but it’s nice to see some forgotten releases getting some exposure. The personnel on this album plays some wonderfully, uniquely Brazilian fusion. Hermeto Pascoal: Bandola, Piano, Teclados (Keyboard), Flugelhorn, Harmonium, Flauta Baixo (Bass Continue Reading
Vadim Neselovskyi – Odesa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City
Odessa is a city that both Ukraine and Russia, as well as its many Jewish and even Tatar inhabitants, claim to be its own. Never mind the political hideousness of today, and let me present you with one of the most fascinating releases I’ve heard in contemporary classical and jazz Continue Reading
Samo Salamon, Arild Andersen & Ra Kalam Bob Moses – Pure and Simple
This is some fine jazz improv. The trio of a friend to this blog, guitarist Samo Salamon, working alongside bassist and ECM Records legend Arild Andersen and Ra Kalam Bob Moses, and this group have an incredible way of flowing with each other’s vibes. Samo, of course, absolutely shreds on Continue Reading
Misha Panfilov – Sierra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Though the soundtrack to Sander Joon’s animated film Sierra won’t be officially available until August of 2022, Misha Panfilov has graciously shared several very mellow, almost vibraphone-inflected tracks he used to design the cartoon’s soundscape.
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.
Mankunku Quartet – Yakhal’ Inkomo (Special Edition)
This is one of South Africa’s best jazz outings. It features tenor saxophonist Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi and the album blends not only South African jazz but also the works of John Coltrane and Horace Silver. A swinging release.
Jerzy Milian – Optima Fide
Jerzy Milian is one of the most important jazz musicians to ever come out of Poland. In this rather expensive album, he is collaborating with the BRT Radio (now VRT Radio) Orchestra during the late 1960s. The release showcases Milian’s vibraphone talents, but also shows how multi-faceted his music was, Continue Reading