Sometimes, a powerful dose of sound can be invigorating for the ears. Love Unfold The Sun is a band from New Mexico, led by my old friend Mustafa Stefan Dill. His guitar playing reminds me of John McLaughlin playing the oud, infused with the raw energy of Peter Brötzmann at Continue Reading
Jazz
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald – Porgy and Bess
School is out for the summer. Let’s let Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald guide us into the vacation!
Tidiani Kone et le T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Tidiani Kone et le T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Over the past few years Acid Jazz has been the proud custodian of the legendary Albarika Store label, which produced some of the finest, deepest West African cuts of the last century. Based in Benin, the label was a melting point of local sounds and Continue Reading
Lalo Schifrin – Danube Incident (RIP)
Lalo Schifrin passed away a few days ago at the age of 93. The mark he left in jazz, classical and soundtrack music is massive. Thanks to the good souls at the THE SAD OLD WORLD Facebook group for posting a gorgeous little ditty by Schifrin from 1969. Fans of Continue Reading
Flo Rosset – Intra
An intriguing release by French musician Flo Rosset, who combines electronica, hip-hop and percussive beat into the sort of techno I wish more artists in the genre aspired to. An intelligent release, musically.
Anthony Braxton – Quartet (Bristol) 1985
One of America’s foremost saxophonists, Anthony Braxton, collaborates with Marilyn Crispell on piano, Mark Dresser on double bass, and Gerry Hemingway on percussion. This music is as free as it gets, but has a slight film-noir soundtrack feel in parts. Impressive.
Marshall Allen – New Dawn
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
Steve Layton – Introspection
Our dear friend Steve Layton’s latest work is a collection of minimalist music, including the first work, Gospodi pomiluj (Lord have mercy) which has a, dare I say it, holy feel to it. I owe Steve a great debt for introducing me to many modern classical musicians through his website, Continue Reading
Kurt Elling – Passion World
I am a latecomer to the voice of Kurt Elling, and I now regret not exploring his catalog more deeply before. He has a phenomenal voice, rich and full of expression, and he truly excels at these jazz standards. This would be a great starting point if you have never Continue Reading
Susan Alcorn – And I Await the Resurrection of the Pedal Steel Guitar
Susan Alcorn passed away in January of this year, leaving a gaping hole in the improv community. I believe it was Ian Nagoski of Canary Records who enlightened me to this recording being available, and it is gorgeously recorded. The pedal steel guitar is played sublimely by Alcorn, who uses Continue Reading