Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Jeff Oster, featuring Nile Rodgers, Chuck Rainey + Bernard Purdie – next (2015)

Here is a review of trumpeter Jeff Oster’s new groove-laden new age release ‘next’, featuring Nile Rodgers, Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie.

Vinyl

Matthew Shipp Chamber Ensemble – The Gospel According to Matthew and Michael (2015)

The musicianship gets this improvised chamber jazz concept off the ground, but it’s the bottomless imaginations of Shipp, Maneri and Bisio that make ‘The Gospel According To Matthew and Michael’ fly.

Vinyl

Jeff Cosgrove, Frank Kimbrough, Martin Wind – Conversations With Owls (2015)

‘Conversations With Owls’ is a thoughful, exploratory collaboration by Jeff Cosgrove, Frank Kimbrough and Martin Wind.

Vinyl

Nick Hempton, “Catch Up [Catch and Release #7]” (2015): One Track Mind

Here is a review of the seventh song from Nick Hempton’s ‘Catch and Release’ series. “Catch Up” features his base quartet playing a little free form jazz.

Vinyl

Geyster – Knight Games, Vols. I-III (2015)

Geyster is having a love affair with vintage West Coast music and is taking us along for a long, pleasurable nearly two hour ride.

Vinyl

Gaps and Spaces [Greg Ward + Caleb Willitz] – Synoptic Optiks (2015)

Here is a review of the Greg Ward/Caleb Willitz experimental Gaps & Space project ‘Synoptic Optiks.’ Once again, Greg Ward finds another way to defy not only expectations but discourage the very notion of setting expectations on him in the first place.

Vinyl

Ben Goldberg – ‘Orphic Machine’ (2015)

Here is a review of Ben Goldberg’s ‘Orphic Machine’, his salute to the influence of his old college professor, the late poet Allen Grossman. Goldberg, once again sublimely assimilates so many disparate influences, and is able to distill them into a product he projects through his own, kaleidoscopic lens.

Vinyl

Joey Calderazzo, “Mike’s Song” from Going Home (2015): One Track Mind

Joey Calderazzo’s “Mike’s Song” keeps his fallen leader Michael Brecker’s spirit alive and strong with nary a single note blown from a horn.

Vinyl

Petros Klampanis, “Luiza” from Minor Dispute (2015): Something Else! video premiere

The talented bassist Petros Klampanis utilizes both classical and jazz backgrounds to add even more finesse to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s beautiful ballad.

Vinyl

Glenn Zaleski Trio – My Ideal (2015)

Glenn Zaleski’s debut album ‘My Ideal’ is ideal those who crave well-performed piano trio jazz.