Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2013  (Part 2 of 4, Modern & Mainstream Jazz): Chris Potter, Rudresh Mahanthappa

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2013 (Part 2 of 4, Modern & Mainstream Jazz): Chris Potter, Rudresh Mahanthappa

There’s been a ton of great modern and mainstream jazz albums released this year, coming from stalwarts and newcomers alike. It’s not just tradition being upheld with grace and passion, there were loads of creative spurts by newcomers and stalwarts alike You May Also Like: S. Victor Aaron’s Best ofRead More

Vinyl

Something Else! sneak peek: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, “My Baby,” ft. Nicki Bluhm (2013)

If this advance track (and the PR verbiage) are any indication Karl Denson took his Tiny Universe in a profoundly rock direction for New Ammo. You May Also Like: How Mike Keneally’s Comeback on ‘The Universe Will Provide’ Fulfilled All of His Promise

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2013  (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz): Harper/ Musselwhite, Robert Randoph, Steven Wilson

S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2013 (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz): Harper/ Musselwhite, Robert Randoph, Steven Wilson

With so many major releases typically timed go on sale to take advantage of the holiday shopping season, you’d think that most of the choicest music of any given year are records issued during the September-November timeframe. You May Also Like: Robben Ford with Keb Mo + Robert Randolph, “Justified”Read More

Vinyl

Calvin Keys – Electric Keys (2013)

There aren’t a whole lot of guitarists who can claim fitting in with big names as diverse as Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal, Jimmy Smith and Bobby Hutcherson, but super sideman Calvin Keys has been there, done that. You May Also Like: Michael Gregory Jackson – ‘Electric Git Box’ (2022) JohnRead More

Vinyl

One Track Mind: The Nth Power, “Thank You” (2013)

As we — or me, anyway — await the first full album by one of New Orleans’ best-kept secrets of late, The Nth Power continues to tantalize. You May Also Like: The Nth Power – Abundance (2015) Joe Mandica, “My Heart Belongs” from A Thousand Miles (2016): One Track MindRead More

Vinyl

David Dominique – Ritual (2013)

As an avant-jazz musical scholar, a composer, educator and flugabone (that’s a marching trombone to you marching band types) player, David Dominique is a guy full of ideas…the offbeat ones. You May Also Like: David Dominique – ‘Mask’ (2018) Greg Ward – Touch My Beloved’s Thought (2016) Matt Parker TrioRead More

Vinyl

Aaron Germain – Chance (2013)

In twenty years as a bass player who’s equally proficient on both the standup and electric, Aaron Germain has played in bands performing virtually every kind of music from every corner of the world You May Also Like: Aaron Parks – ‘Little Big’ (2018) Zem Audu – Spirits (2017) ChargedRead More

Almost Hits: Bobby Caldwell, "Coming Down From Love" (1980)

Almost Hits: Bobby Caldwell, “Coming Down From Love” (1980)

Here’s the answer to that question, “what to do for an encore after such a note-perfect quiet storm groove tune as ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’?” You May Also Like: The Main Ingredient – Greatest Hits: The Encore Collection (2000): On Second Thought Violent Femmes, “Love Love Love LoveRead More

Vinyl

Steve Arrington + Dam-Funk – Higher (2013)

Former Slave drummer and lead vocalist Steve Arrington found some measure of success in a solo artist in the 80s. You May Also Like: Grand Funk Railroad – E Pluribus Funk (1971): Forgotten Series Brand New Heavies’ self-titled debut defined a now-lost acid-jazz cool Richard Turgeon, “Higher” (2020): One TrackRead More

Vinyl

simakDialog – The 6th Story (2013)

The Indonesian fusion scene is one of the great under noticed modern music developments currently going on in the world. You May Also Like: Dewa Budjana – Hasta Karma (2015) How Robben Ford’s ‘The Inside Story’ Introduced the Yellowjackets to the World John McLaughlin’s Shakti – ‘This Moment’ (2023)