Listed on Chris Philips’ ‘The Blueprint C’ – Geoffrey Keezer’s Playdate and Harish Raghavan’s In Tense – Page 12 Listed on Zela Margossian’s Guest Chart – Lucy Yeghiazaryan and Vanisha Gould’s In Her Words – Page 12 Listed on J-to-Z – Kevin Eubanks and Orrin Evans’ EEE (Eubanks-Evans-Experience) – Page 12 Feature of Jonathan Barber … Read More
by Mike Hobart, Financial Times “A compelling, if somewhat specialist, release.” Read the 4-star review here.
By Mike Hobart, Financial Times When the New Yorker’s late jazz critic Whitney Balliett titled his 1959 collection of jazz-themed articles The Sound of Surprise, a jazz/opera fusion wasn’t in prospect. Even now, the sound of a trained soprano entering at full tilt while a stirring piano-trio riff churns underneath catches the listener off guard. Read … Read More
By Mike Hobart, Jazzwise With Jupiter namechecked as an inspiration and four tracks titled after the planet’s moons, the influence of Sun Ra and spiritual jazz should not come as a surprise. Joel Ross’s vibes have an inherently otherworldly air and Aaron Burnett’s quickfire tenor saxophone stutters and grainy tone are rooted in the work … Read More
by Mike Hobart, Financial Times “Time Outtakes, released to mark the centenary of Dave Brubeck’s birth, collects previously unreleased alternate takes and songs to throw new light on this jazz classic.” Read the complete review in the Financial Times here.
By Mike Hobart, Financial Times Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Latin Jazz Project — an orchestral tour de force The album sashays between soulful and serene, with hooky melodies and immaculate beats Brash, brassy and rhythmic. Read the full review here.
by Mike Hobart, Financial Times John and Alice Coltrane’s combined musical legacy stretches from angular be-bop and fierce expressionism to spiritual jazz and is a prime influence on the current resurgence in modern jazz. Their work is much covered, but, as alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s zesty jam-session take shows, if you pay respect and avoid … Read More
by Mike Hobart, Financial Times The jazz big band tradition remains niche, but continues to evolve. Drummer Ralph Peterson’s Gen-Next Big Band’s double album Listen Up!, released on the Onyx label, gives small-group modern jazz orchestral weight. Great arrangements, fresh solos and Berklee college students playing like seasoned pros. Trumpeter Brian Lynch’s literature-inspired The Omni-American … Read More
Mike Hobart, Jazzwise The lolloping swing that drives the opening modal blues signals baritone saxophonist BJ Jansen’s mainstream aesthetic, the floaty cover of Frank Stagnitta’s “Carol’s Dream” that follows confirms it. Jansen builds his set on traditional structures and solid well-worn grooves ranging from the sassy 6/8 of “Street Walk” to the cool school swing … Read More
