Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Chicken Diamond – Chicken Diamond II (2012)

I’ve been pretty impressed with how just two guys from Indiana could create such a big, raucous noise while upholding the principles of Southern blues. Well imagine that kind of music being generated by one guy, from France. You May Also Like: Left Lane Cruiser’s Bring Yo’ Ass to theRead More

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Stephen Richard – Bread ‘N Water, Vol. 2 and An Evening of Happenstance, Live In New Orleans (2012)

Houston has been a major center for urban jazz ever since native Houstonians the Jazz Crusaders started going electric in the late ’60s. You May Also Like: Richard Turgeon, “Wanna Make Love” (2020): One Track Mind Richard Elliot – ‘Authentic Life’ (2021)

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Pamela York – Lay Down This World: Hymns And Spirituals (2012)

Jazz has long drawn from show tunes, Tin Pan Alley, and a handful of great composers like Ellington, Strayhorn and Monk for material. Gospel? Not so much. You May Also Like: The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Down in New Orleans added a new musical wrinkle Al Green’s Secular Comeback WasRead More

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Iron Dog – Interactive Album Rock (2012)

Straight out of Brooklyn is a improvisational trio that frolics far in the outer reaches of avant-garde. Iron Dog, consisting of Sarah Bernstein (digitally altered violin, poetry recital), Stuart Popejoy (electric bass, synthesizer) and Andrew Drury (drums, mayhem), create odd sounds both digital and analog You May Also Like: PeterRead More

Alice Cooper, "Elected" (1972): One Track Mind

Alice Cooper, “Elected” (1972): One Track Mind

When I first heard “Elected” by Alice Cooper, I thought he was singing “I wanna be a lefty” – and being so young I further thought he was saying he wanted to be left-handed (like me), not liberal.

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Peter Van Huffel’s Gorilla Mask – Howl! (2011)

When we last checked in with Peter Van Huffel, he was piloting a delicate dance between modern jazz and out jazz for his quartet’s Like The Rusted Key (2010). You May Also Like: Peter Van Huffel’s Gorilla Mask – Iron Lung (2017) Gorilla Mask – ‘Brain Drain’ (2019)

Vinyl

Steely Dan Sunday, “Tomorrow’s Girls” (1993)

<<< BACKWARD (“Snowbound”) ||| ONWARD (“Florida Room”) >>> *** STEELY DAN SUNDAY INDEX *** Kamakiriad got its mojo going with “Snowbound” and reached the summit at “Tomorrow’s Girls.” This song was the single spun off the album, and achieved some mild success, reaching #20 on the “Mainstream Rock Tracks” chartsRead More

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Caroline Davis Quartet – Live Work & Play (2012)

Singapore born (to European parents), Atlanta and Dallas raised, and now ensconced in Chicago’s thriving North side jazz scene, Caroline Davis is an alto saxophonist whose taste in music has evolved from the rock & soul acts of Michael Jackson and Steely Dan to Stan Kenton, Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones/MelRead More

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David Gilmore – Numerology: Live At The Jazz Standard (2012)

Guitarist David Gilmore (not the Pink Floyd guitarist David GilMOUR) has been prolific as a sideman, composer and educator. Leader? Not as much. But when he’s gotten around to making a record, it’s made an impact. You May Also Like: Terry Bozzio, David Gilmore, Jose James + others: Five forRead More

Vinyl

Jon Irabagon’s Outright! – Unhinged (2012)

It was only four years ago when saxophonist Jon Irabagon made his first splash as a solo artist with Outright!. Since then, he’s gone from obscure to being one of the most prolific tenor saxophonists working in NYC today You May Also Like: Jon Irabagon – ‘I Don’t Hear Nothin’Read More