By Mike Greenblatt, The Aquarian A Man Named Fima Based in Brooklyn, Fima Chupakhin, after adding keyboards to the projects of others, has now self-released his Water debut and it’s positively stunning. Over and above what he does to Monk’s 1957 “Off-Minor,” Coltrane’s 1958 “Moment’s Notice” and the 1923 hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” it’s … Read More
Mike Greenblatt, The Aquarian (Rant ‘n’ Roll) Jazz Romanticism From A Radiohead Fan If German composer Robert Schumann [1810-1856] is rolling over in his grave right now, it may be because he somehow heard Chase Baird’s rendition of his classical gas called “Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai.” With the help of drums/piano/guitar/bass, composer/saxophonist Baird jams it … Read More
Mike Greenblatt, Aquarian Weekly Alex Clough – Near Far Beyond Touched By A Spaceman Pianist/Composer/Producer/Arranger Alex Clough’s self-released near, far, beyond is a delightful and captivating romp with sax/trumpet/bass/drums. Half is piano trio. Half is quintet. It’s been over a decade as a sideman for Clough. Graduating from the State University of New York, and … Read More
Mike Greenblatt, Aquarian Weekly The Opener by Darren Barrett and dB-ish fuses planty of elements. Barrett os a trumpeter, keyboardist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader, head of his own dB Studios label and Berklee professor who has always been adventurous in his musical outings. Here, though, he’s set a new bar way high what with … Read More
