Eight years after their last album No Revenge Necessary, the New Orleans jazz supergroup Nolatet returns with a new set of songs. Merging the vaunted rhythm section from Astral Project (James Singleton, bass; Johnny Vidacovich, drums) with the guerrilla jazz of vibraphonist/percussionist Mike Dillon and the rangy pianist Brian Haas from the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Nolatet blends veteran been-there/done-that assurance with a disdain for staying boxed in by a predetermined style.
Sure, the band’s name touts its New Orleans connection and disposition but so does the music. No, it’s not the Dixieland originating out of Storyville, the second line RnB of Professor Longhair or even the present day 9th Ward funk of Trombone Shorty. But the jazz they play is delivered with the same relaxed social atmosphere that exemplifies the vibe of the city you get as soon as you step off the plane at Louis Armstrong airport.
But New Orleans is an attitude as much as it’s a place and Nolatet took that attitude with them to Tulsa, Oklahoma to record their third album in front of a receptive audience at the LowDown club. After taking in the whole album, I can report that they are clearly very relaxed playing their music live.
“Relaxed” doesn’t mean “sloppy,” though. There’s just too much musicianship inside each of these dudes to let that happen. That might be best exemplified by a blues original titled — natch — “Something to Relax With.” That’s the leadoff single issued for streaming and the video above for the upcoming 2026 album also named Somethin’ to Relax With.
Dillon’s vibes is as cool as the other side of a pillow in an igloo, summoning the ghost of Milt Jackson. Haas uses his turn to tease like he’s going ‘outside’ Don Pullen style but reigns himself in just in time for Singleton’s in-the-pocket bass event. The solos are wrapped up tastefully with Johnny V’s swinging flourish.
Somethin’ to Relax With is being offered by The Royal Potato Family starting April 3, 2026. Pre-order/order it from Bandcamp.
| Album Cover | Artist | Title | Format | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nolatet | Somethin' To Relax With | Vinyl | Purchase Here |
 | Nolatet | No Revenge Necessary | CD | Purchase Here |
| Nolatet | No Revenge Necessary | Vinyl | Purchase Here |
 | Nolatet | Dogs | Vinyl | Purchase Here |
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