by Alan Scherstuhl, The New York Times “Recorded at the Town Hall in New York on Nov. 4, 1973, the music gushes as if it were an uncapped fireplug. Previously unreleased, the relentless 88-minute track ‘Autumn/Parade’ catches the inexhaustible Cecil Taylor Unit in the grip of one revelation after another, playing free jazz, a style … Read More
by John Chacona, Let’s Call This In his latest ‘Roll Call,’ John Chacona reviews new records from LLP clients Oscar Hernández, Mathis Picard, Deanna Witkowski and Bill O’Connell. Read the reviews here.
by Martin Johnson, The Wall Street Journal “Cecil Taylor (1929-2018) is the most influential jazz pianist of the late 20th century. Some of today’s leading keyboard masters, including Kris Davis, Vijay Iyer, Matthew Shipp and Craig Taborn, cite him as a cornerstone influence. Yet some of the major early, evolutionary chapters of Taylor’s unique style—which … Read More
by Nate Chinen, WBGO “What does devotion sound like? One vivid answer to that question can be found in a forthcoming album by singer-songwriter and playwright SOMI, titled Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba.” Read the Valentine’s Day-themed Take Five here.
by Andy Hamilton, Jazz Journal The 1973 concert that marked the pianist’s return to the stage is issued in full for the first time, giving first exposure to the unissued first half “This concert certainly is legendary.” Read the complete review here.
by Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway “Some tracks notably give the talented instrumentalists time aplenty to strut their stuff. The gents are Chris Foreman on Hammond organ, guitarist Lee Rothenberg, and the two Gregs: Greg Ward on saxophone and drummer Greg Rockingham. When Hinda Hoffman Meets Soul Message, everybody meets expectations.” Read the review here.
by Paul Abella, WDCB “Deanna Witkowski, if you’re not aware, is a powerhouse of a pianist with some local roots. A student of the prestigious Wheaton Conservatory, Witkowski is a skilled pianist with classical chops, a background in church music and a deep love of Jazz. Those three pieces all come together beautifully in this … Read More
by Greg Bryant, Nate Chinen, WBGO “Cecil Taylor’s intensity at the piano conjured a musical sorcery stretching far beyond himself or his collaborators. In a 1975 interview with Boston Public Television, he said: ‘The purpose of the music is to achieve a levitation or a trance which is the existence beyond the normal existence.’” Listen to … Read More
by Mike Hobart, Financial Times “A compelling, if somewhat specialist, release.” Read the 4-star review here.
by Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine “Vocalist Hoffman and The Soul Message Band unleash the joyous power of the jazz organ combo, straddling tradition and the contemporary with Carroll’s brilliant arrangements. They once again prove that the jazz organ combo not only lives but is also a renaissance in full bloom in 2022. Check out the … Read More
