Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Something Else! sneak peek: Nels Cline Singers, “Companion Piece” from Macroscope (2014)

Wilco lead axe man and everyone’s favorite experimental rock-jazz guitarist Nels Cline is poised to unleash his fifth album leading his Nels Cline Singers on April 29. You May Also Like: The Nels Cline Singers – ‘Share the Wealth’ (2020)

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Randy Ingram – Sky/Lift (2014)

Randy Ingram was part of a cluster of new talent that was being brought to light by the Brooklyn Underground Jazz record label in the late aughts. The Road Ahead (2009) was a solid debut for the California-raised pianist and composer. You May Also Like: Wilco (The Album) echoed, butRead More

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Jon Irabagon, with Barry Altschul and Mark Helias – It Takes All Kinds (2014)

It’s impossible to cover the current jazz scene and not soon encounter saxophone extraordinaire Jon Irabagon. You don’t have to look for him, he’ll just show up on various performances You May Also Like: Barry Altschul’s 3Dom Factor – Tales Of The Unforseen (2015) Mark Helias’ Open Loose – ‘TheRead More

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Nate Jones Band – The Nate Jones Band EP (2014)

Let’s face it, the criteria of what makes a good singer-songwriter record are usually straightforward: does the singer-songwriter sing well and two, does he sing good songs? You May Also Like: Durand Jones – Durand Jones and the Indications: Deluxe Edition (2018) Rickie Lee Jones, “Jimmy Choos” from The OtherRead More

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Ben Flocks – Battle Mountain (2014)

Growing up in Bonny Doon, California, a picturesque hamlet near Santa Cruz where the land quickly transforms from open coastal terraces to thick, mountainside redwood forests, one can easily acquire a childlike wonderment of natural beauty. You May Also Like: Ben Goldberg School – Vol 1: The Humanities (2017) NeilRead More

Laid Back, "White Horse" from Keep Smiling (1983): Almost Hits

Laid Back, “White Horse” from Keep Smiling (1983): Almost Hits

There’s little doubt what the Danish synth-pop duo Laid Back is referring to with their No. 26 dance number “White Horse.”

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Sly 5th Ave – Akuma (2014)

Akuma is the first album by rising saxophone star Sly 5th Ave, wrung from the sweat of him waiting tables in this self-financed album that’s been two years in the making. You May Also Like: How the Overlooked ‘Menlove Ave’ Put John Lennon In His Best Light Meshell Ndegeocello –Read More

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Sweet Banditry – Farvefisen blomstrer [dedicated to Jens Jørgen Thorsen] (2014)

There are probably scores of thrash jazz combos out there and when I’m of the right mind and the wife is not around, I can enjoy listening to every single one of them. Sweet Banditry is one of the latest such units to come around You May Also Like: BrandonRead More

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Jeff Ballard Trio with Lionel Loueke and Miguel Zenon – Time’s Tales (2014)

Jeff Ballard is best known as Brad Mehldau’s longtime drummer and also one third of the critically acclaimed FLY trio with Mark Turner and Larry Grenadier. You May Also Like: Jeff Ballard – ‘Fairgrounds’ (2019) Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, Eric Harland – Aziza (2016)

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James Brandon Lewis – Divine Travels (2014)

A lot of jazz saxophonists strive to sound spiritual but for James Brandon Lewis, that’s part of who he’s always been. You May Also Like: James Brandon Lewis Trio – No Filter (2016) James Brandon Lewis – ‘Transfiguration’ (2024) James Brandon Lewis + The Red Lily Quintet – ‘For Mahalia,Read More