Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Huntertones, “Circles” from Live (2016): Something Else! sneak peek

It’s hard to imagine Ohio’s funky jazz-rock sextet Huntertones sounding any better than this. And that’s saying something.

Vinyl

David Philips, “Washes Over Me” (2016): Something Else! sneak peek

A precursor of what’s next in store from UK-born/Spanish-residing David Phillips, “Washes Over Me” is a back-to-basics excursion from a guy who isn’t prone to stray far from the basics to start with.

Vinyl

Bobby Kapp + Matthew Shipp – Cactus (2016)

Finding simpatico between improvising piano and drums probably isn’t so easy to pull off convincingly, but Bobby Kapp and Matthew Shipp make it seem that way.

Vinyl

Dave Stryker – Eight Track II (2016)

As oldies recast in soul-jazz bliss, ‘Eight Track II” is one of those good ideas from Dave Stryker that deserved another go around.

Vinyl

Seth Walker – Gotta Get Back (2016)

Think of ‘Gotta Get Back’ more as Walker’s renewal of his vows to the family and sweet, soulful roots music that made him who he is.

Vinyl

Outset – Outset (2016)

Chicago’s chordless quartet’s self-titled album ‘Outset’ is a laudable debut not of what is possible down the road but what is achieved right out of the gate.

Vinyl

Fresh Cut Orchestra, “Gray, Freddie” (2016): Something Else! Video Premiere

A no-nonsense, unvarnished approach to the music accompanies the message rendered by the core, acoustic FCO for this one-off tune calling attention to police brutality.

Bill Evans - Time Remembered, The Life & Music of Bill Evans (2016, DVD)

Bill Evans – Time Remembered, The Life & Music of Bill Evans (2016, DVD)

The truth and beauty in Evans’ music is impossible to forget. Bruce Spiegel’s well done documentary ‘Time Remembered, The Life & Music of Bill Evans’ makes sure that we don’t.

Vinyl

Amendola vs. Blades Greatest Hits crowdfunding drive in final hours, make a pledge now!

San Francisco Bay Area drums/organ sensation Amendola vs Blades quest to finally putting out a record is near the end; please pledge to their crowdfunding project to put them over the top!

Vinyl

Jack DeJohnette, with Ravi Coltrane and Matthew Garrison – In Movement (2016)

What you get when DeJohnette combines with guys named Coltrane and Garrison doesn’t exactly square up with the mental picture (or rather, mental music) most jazzbos might imagine when those three names are put together. Nonetheless, ‘In Movement’ is no less gratifying.