Archive for May, 2012

Vinyl

Nick Africano – The Butterfly Bull (2012)

Like its title, Nick Africano’s The Butterfly Bull succeeds in these brilliantly contradictory ways. There are, over the course of its 12 songs, both shadows and light You May Also Like: Wilco (The Album) echoed, but didn’t quite live up to Sky Blue Sky The Chick Corea + Steve GaddRead More

Vinyl

Edward Ratliff – Those Moments Before (2009)

It’s said that music has its own language and syntax. I’m not talking about the technical stuff like notes, measures, and key centers, but the more subtle areas You May Also Like: Ivo Perelman, Mark Helias + Tom Rainey – ‘Truth Seeker’ (2024) Matt Mayhall and Dan Rosenboom – ‘Language’Read More

Steely Dan Sunday, "Gaucho" (1980)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Gaucho” (1980)

They say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and Steely Dan discovered just how true that was.

Vinyl

David Daniell and Douglas McCombs – Versions (2012)

Seven hours. Versions, the new recording from David Daniell and Douglas McCombs, is all about seven hours. You May Also Like: Tortoise’s ‘Beacons of Ancestorship’ Provided Intriguing New Insights Into Post Rock Tortoise’s Quietly Effective Eponymous Album Burrowed In at its Own Pace Miles Davis, Billie Holiday + Others: TopRead More

Vinyl

Mick Fleetwood's Zoo – I'm Not Me (1983; 2012 reissue)

This home-recorded Mick Fleetwood project, never before issued on compact disc, is neither a solo effort nor a Fleetwood Mac knockoff You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

Half Notes: Richard Bona – Bona Makes You Sweat (2008)

In the Pat Metheny Group, there is always one musician who plays the role of “utility man.” The basic instrumentation is guitar, piano/keys, acoustic and electric bass, drums, trumpet, and (sometimes) harmonica. The extra player is responsible for filling in on any number of instruments including vibes, acoustic guitar, electricRead More

Vinyl

Darryl Gregory – Big Texas Sky (2012)

Boasting a Americana twang but also a rough moral sensibility and a cutting way with an image, Darryl Gregory’s Big Texas Sky is probably too edgy for country radio. It’s a shame. You May Also Like: Wilco (The Album) echoed, but didn’t quite live up to Sky Blue Sky MichaelRead More

Vinyl

Steve Smith and Vital Information – Live! One Great Night (2012)

Steve Smith, like Paul McCartney, has a solo career that’s way more extensive than the higher profile rock band he belonged to for a relatively short period of time, but he’ll always be known as that Journey drummer You May Also Like: Steve Smith: The Albums That Shaped My CareerRead More

Vinyl

Foreigner – Alive and Rockin' (2012)

Foreigner’s new live album is neither all that bad, nor all that good — probably worth the ticket price at the original concert venue, if you don’t pay too much attention, but instantly forgettable as a home listening experience. You May Also Like: ‘Rockin’ the City of Angels’: Inside DouglasRead More

Vinyl

Gonzalo Rubalcaba – XXI Century (2012)

A gutsy blend of contemplative Evans/Tristano-informed piano excursions and these grease-popping Cuban jams, pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s XXI Century takes us on a journey across time and cultures. You May Also Like: Aruan Ortiz, with Andrew Cyrille + Mauricio Herrera – ‘Inside Rhythmic Falls’ (2020) Matthew Shipp – ‘Codebreaker’ (2021)