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
Jazz
Various Artists – Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up
Cult Cargo describe this incredible compilation of jazz, funk, salsa and other music far better than I could hope to: “The national dish of Belize is a diverse mixture of ingredients: pig’s tail, potatoes, plantains, bananas, boiled eggs, yams, and whole fish, thrown in a pot and stewed to perfection. Continue Reading
Luca Calabrese – I Shin Den Shin
MoonJune Records is one of those labels that consistently excels, especially in progressive rock and maybe even more so in jazz fusion. The latest release by Luca Calabrese is from 2024 and has six tracks of the sort of high-quality fusion you would expect from the label, and its focus Continue Reading
Ray Russell Quartet – The Complete Spontaneous Event: Live 1967-1969
Though I have heard a fair number of British jazz records, all excellent, Ray Russell is one who escaped me. I regret that now, considering how absolutely smoking this set is. From the Jazz In Britain Bandcamp site: “The tracks on this album were recorded between 1967 and 1969 and Continue Reading
P.E. Hewitt Quintet – Jawbones
There is no information about who P. E. Hewitt and Quartet are, but they deliver a fine modern take of West Coast jazz.
Maggot Brain’s Intergalactic Quartet – PD173: I
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.
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