Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

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Steven Wilson – 4 ½ (2016)

The upshot of ‘4 ½’ is that Steven Wilson’s chaff still beats most of contemporaries’ wheat because his creative zeal doesn’t ever seem to take days off, even for songs he sets aside.

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Glenn Frey’s music gave us a peaceful, easy feeling

Earlier today the Eagles co-founder, singer and guitarist Glenn Frey became the latest entrant to a quickly overcrowding Rock ‘n’ Roll heaven, succumbing to a variety of maladies. He was sixty-seven years old. You May Also Like: Essentials by the Eagles’ Glenn Frey: Gimme Five Glenn Frey, “The One YouRead More

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Fred Hersch – Sarabande (1987, 2016 reissue)

If Fred Hersch has attained legendary status, then the legend began nearly thirty years ago. ‘Sarabande’ makes that clear, and the new, remastered edition makes it even more so.

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Ken Fowser – Standing Tall (2016)

We already knew from his recordings with Behn Gillece that Ken Fowser has the goods as a saxophonist and composer; ‘Standing Tall’, his debut as sole leader, further confirms those things.

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Myra Melford and Ben Goldberg – Dialogue (2016)

‘Dialogue’ is a true meeting of the minds between musicians who value a lovely strain and places just as much value to go anywhere with it.

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Peter Erskine – Dr. Um (2016)

The drummer who is capable of taking on any role he wants behind his drum set makes his best music when he takes on the role of simply being himself.

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The Worst Pop Band Ever – Blackout (2016)

Toronto’s The Worst Pop Band Ever has a hand-made, unforced approach that makes rock-jazz uncommonly relaxing, and ‘Blackout’ keeps that relaxed vibe going.

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Tim Kuhl, “Timelessness Highway” from 1982 (2015): One Track Mind

Tim Kuhl has spun off many video singles from his ‘1982’ album, and this one produced by Rich Ragsdale might be the the most visually vivid one of them all.

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2015 (Part 4 of 4, Fusion Jazz): John McLaughlin, Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Jeff Lorber

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2015 (Part 4 of 4, Fusion Jazz): John McLaughlin, Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Jeff Lorber

S. Victor Aaron picks the best of 2015’s fusion jazz music, including John McLaughlin, Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Jeff Lorber and others.

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Paul Bley was an enchanting, unparalleled piano genius to the end

Paul Bley has died at 83, following a career which spanned much of jazz history itself – yet boasted a vision derivative of no one.