Joey DeFrancesco, with Pharoah Sanders – ‘In the Key of the Universe’ (2019)
Can both transcendental and earthly jazz coexist on the same record? With ‘In the Key of the Universe,’ Joey DeFrancesco answers with an emphatic ‘yes.’
Archive for February, 2019
The Beatles, “Yer Blues” from the White Album (1968): Deep Beatles
Is this Beatles deep cut a parody of blues cliches, or John Lennon’s sincere cry for help?
Billy Idol – ‘Cyberpunk’ (1993): Metal Meltdowns
‘Cyperpunk’ was supposed to be an evolution. Instead, it almost ended Billy Idol’s career.
The Bangles, Dream Syndicate + Others – ‘3 X 4’ (2019)
The Bangles join with their spiritual siblings in the Three O’Clock, the Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade to release a unique project.
Weegee, February 21, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget
A trip to a North London vegan cafe turned into a moment of musical discovery with Weegee.
Yes, “New State of Mind” from ‘Open Your Eyes’ (1997): YESterdays
‘Open Your Eyes’ is on my Top 5 list of favorite Yes albums, even if it had the misfortune of being one of their lowest-charting studio LPs.
Beast in Black – ‘From Hell With Love’ (2019)
Finland’s Beast in Black takes us deep into a beautifully cheesy world of guilty pleasure.
Jeff Cosgrove, with Matthew Shipp + William Parker – ‘Near Disaster’ (2018)
The enthusiasm that Jeff Cosgrove, Matthew Shipp and William Parker invest in pushing jazz into sweet freedom shines through on ‘Near Disaster.’
When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows Collide With People’
John Frusciante released a solo album 15 years ago this week that wasn’t as hot as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, nor as funky – but more distinctive than you might expect.
David Torn with Tim Berne + Ches Smith – ‘Sun of Goldfinger’ (2019)
The supremely creative ‘Sun of Goldfinger’ is unlike anything else out there – apart from other David Torn records.
