Archive for May, 2019

Could Jazz Be More Inclusive?: Commentary

Could Jazz Be More Inclusive?: Commentary

Jazz is an inclusive music. So why did an established British journal publish a piece containing a gay slur?

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Waterboys – ‘Where the Action Is’ (2019)

The Waterboys have made something quite different with ‘Where the Action Is,’ an album that defies categorization.

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Henry Kaiser, Jeff Sipe, Andy West, Tracy Silverman, Anthony Pirog – ‘Five Times Surprise’ (2019)

Borrowing from principles established by the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, Five Time Surprise develops music with no constrictions.

Toto, "Mysterious Ways" from 'Mindfields' (1999): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Mysterious Ways” from ‘Mindfields’ (1999): Toto Tuesdays

With creative ties to Steve Lukather’s part-time boss Ringo Starr, “Mysterious Ways” continues a theme linking Toto’s past and present.

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Trombone Shorty, “Long Weekend” (2013): One Track Mind

What better time to return to “Long Weekend,” the still-thumping advance track from Trombone Shorty’s ‘Say This to Say That’?

Alan Evans, Freekbass, Nic Vardanega + Others: Five for the Road

Alan Evans, Freekbass, Nic Vardanega + Others: Five for the Road

Alan Evans and Freekbass are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately …

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Dave Douglas, Uri Caine + Andrew Cyrille – ‘Devotion’ (2019)

Strong musical personalities impose themselves on these Dave Douglas originals, and it makes for a riveting trio that sounds like no other.

Chicago, "Birthday Boy" from 'Chicago XIV' (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Birthday Boy” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Is “Birthday Boy” the worst song from Chicago’s 1969-80 era with Columbia Records? Possibly …

The Beatles, "Teddy Boy" (1969): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “Teddy Boy” (1969): Deep Beatles

“Teddy Boy” may not rank as one of Paul McCartney’s best-known tracks, but it does preview his successful solo career.

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Shifa – ‘Live at Cafe Oto’ (2019)

The three musicians in Shifa have played together in various combinations before but never recorded, so this is a first – and it is glorious.