Porcupine Tree offered a more approachable kind of prog with The Incident
‘The Incident,’ released this week in 2009, helped establish Porcupine Tree as a melodically inclined, less wank-inclined progressive rock band.
Articles by: S. Victor Aaron
Mahavishnu Orchestra – ‘Birds of Fire’ (1973, 2015 Audio Fidelity reissue)
The Audio Fidelity version of ‘Birds of Fire’ makes the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s combustible fusion jazz innovations a little more manifest.
Electric Light Orchestra, “Do Ya” from A New World Record (1976): One Track Mind
The Electric Light Orchestra never rocked harder than they did on “Do Ya,” released this week in 1976 as part of ‘A New World Record.’
Bernie Worrell’s Improvisczario went well beyond the expected funk
Bernie Worrell’s ‘Improvisczario,’ released this week in 2007, is bubbling over with grooves. That’s not the surprising part.
Shemekia Copeland – Outskirts of Love (2015)
There’s no let up in Shemekia Copeland found on ‘Outskirts of Love’; her hold on the Queen of the Blues crown is as firm as ever.
Randy Brecker, “New Frontier” (2015): Something Else! exclusive stream
Randy Brecker knows his way around both pop and modern jazz. He puts both together so convincingly on this update of a Donald Fagen classic.
Charlie Hunter got his groove back on the endlessly accessible Baboon Strength
With ‘Baboon Strength,’ released on Sept. 9, 2008, Charlie Hunter didn’t waver so much between an R&B-influenced feel and the abstract.
Pat Metheny, Gary Burton + Danny Gottlieb, “Hommage” (2015): One Track Mind
Pat Metheny aimed to construct a performance that could only spring from the fertile mind of his mentor Eberhard Weber. And, he succeeded.
Ethan Keller, “Lost Dog” (2015): One Track Mind
With tasteful horns and a fine lead guitar, Ethan Keller delivers another delicious musical Scooby snack with his new folk-rock tune, “Lost Dog.”
Mary Halvorson – Meltframe (2015)
Trying to make sense of the surprises that lurk around every corner on Halvorson’s solo guitar outing ‘Meltframe’ is much of the fun in listening to this.
