Articles by: Nick DeRiso

Vinyl

JD Allen, “A Throng of Millions Can Be One” from Bloom (2015): One Track Mind

JD Allen’s “A Throng of Millions Can Be One,” just one of many standout moments on ‘Bloom,’ feels like the birth of a new jazz hymn.

Vinyl

Steve Hackett, Rob Reed, Nick Beggs + others, “Spectral Mornings” (2015): One Track Mind

A benefit remake of one of Steve Hackett’s most memorable instrumentals gives us a rare musical – as well as altruistic – reason to listen.

Vinyl

Graham Parker and the Rumor, “I’ve Done Bad Things” from Mystery Glue (2015)

Graham Parker and the Rumour are all R&B-kissed coolness and trenchant aloofness here. In other words, they’re just what you want them to be.

Frank Sinatra, "Only the Lonely" from Ultimate Sinatra (2015): One Track Mind

Frank Sinatra, “Only the Lonely” from Ultimate Sinatra (2015): One Track Mind

Listen as Frank Sinatra sustains the words until you hear the cracks in his voice and, you become certain, his heart.

Vinyl

Otis Taylor, “Cold at Midnight” from Hey Joe Opus / Red Meat (2015): One Track Mind

Otis Taylor’s “Cold at Midnight,” a white-knuckle ride into the very heart of worry, advances the forthcoming ‘Hey Joe Opus / Red Meat.’

Vinyl

Cyrus Chestnut, “Gloria’s Step” from A Million Colors in Your Mind (2015)

Cyrus Chestnut doesn’t supercede the definitive take by Bill Evans’ Trio. Still, I found myself enjoying the new corners he and his trio explored.

Vinyl

Danko Jones – Fire Music (2015)

There’s often been a touch of punk attitude in Danko Jones’ music, but ‘Fire Music’ seems to focus more intently on that part of their musical DNA.

Frank Sinatra + Count Basie, "The Best is Yet To Come" from Ultimate Sinatra (2015)

Frank Sinatra + Count Basie, “The Best is Yet To Come” from Ultimate Sinatra (2015)

A highlight of ‘Ultimate Sinatra,’ everything is in place on Frank Sinatra’s Count Basie collaboration “Best is Yet to Come.” And then it surprises you.

Vinyl

The Word [Robert Randolph, John Medeski + North Mississippi All-Stars], “When I See the Blood” from Soul Food (2015)

Robert Randolph helps set a new standard for improv gospel-jazz country blues supergroups. Because, yeah, they’re the only one.

Vinyl

Gavin Harrison – Cheating the Polygraph (2015)

Gavin Harrison’s ‘Cheating the Polygraph’ references Porcupine Tree and big band, but quickly moves well beyond those well-worn tropes.