By J.D. Considine, Downbeat The cover for In Common 2 is identical to its predecessor, except the outsized heads of pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Nate Smith are photoshopped onto the bodies of the first album’s rhythm section. In other words: same concept, slightly different players. Read this full review … Read More
By Will Layman, PopMatters Matthew Stevens is state-of-the-art jazz guitar in 2020, someone who is at home with a huge range of the best musicians of the moment—recently recording with Dave Douglas, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, and so many more. His approach and influences span the scene, reflecting the obvious (he may often remind … Read More
By Paul Rauch, All About Jazz The musical paths of saxophonist/composer Walter Smith III and guitarist/composer Matthew Stevens have crossed on many occasions over the years, touring and recording together in their respective bands and those of Esperanza Spalding, Ambrose Akinmusire, Terence Blanchard, Dave Douglas and Terri Lynne Carrington. Read the full review here. … Read More
By John Bungey, London Jazz News First, if you’re a lover of the noble art of album cover design, a word of warning. For the sleeve image (pictured left), the record company has simply taken the group shot from the first In Common album of 2018 and pasted the oversized heads of the new members … Read More
By Michael J. West, JazzTimes The cover of tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III and Matthew Stevens’ second co-led album is hilarious: It’s literally the same as the first In Common, but with pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Nate Smith’s faces replacing those of Joel Ross, Harish Raghavan, and Marcus Gilmore. Is it … Read More
By Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine Saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist Matt Stevens are taking their successful 2018 project In Common to another round, this time surrounding themselves with three different players on In Common 2. It’s the same process with Smith III and Stevens writing the compositions and then seeking out like-minded musicians to … Read More
By Filipe Freitas, JazzTrail Saxophonist Walter Smith III reappears side by side with guitarist Matthew Stevens in the revived In Common group, two years after the release of its eponymous album. In Common 2 remains a quintet but features a reformed rhythm team with emerging pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer … Read More
By Martin Johnson, The Wall Street Journal The new recordings by pianist Aaron Parks and the duo of saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist Matthew Stevens couldn’t have come at a better time. In contrast to many jazz recordings, their music is easy to listen to, with familiar song-form structures and straightforward solos. The immediate … Read More
by Matt Micucci, Jazziz 10 Albums You Need to Know: May 2020
