Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Steely Dan Sunday, "Deacon Blues" (1977)

> *** STEELY DAN SUNDAY INDEX *** This is the song I would suppose most people would say has that classic Steely Dan sound, the epitome of the smooth, suave style they perfected on Aja and a hit song to boot You May Also Like: Steely Dan’s Aja at 40:Read More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Eraldo Bernocchi, Harold Budd, Robin Guthrie – Winter Garden (2012)

Benocchi, Budd and Guthrie isn’t so much a trio as it’s a partnership: Harold Budd taps out sparse, ethereal notes from his classical piano, Robin Guthrie surrounds it with supplemental instrumentation (mainly guitar and keyboards) and sound architect Eraldo Bernocchi plays electric piano and along with Guthrie applies the finishingRead More

Vinyl

Chicago Underground Duo – Age Of Energy (2012)

Anytime there’s a new release out that involves cornet player Rob Mazurek, it warrants attention because it’s certain to be interesting and unlike jazz you’d hear anywhere else. You May Also Like: Chad Taylor – ‘Myths and Morals’ (2018)

Vinyl

Henry Cole and the Afrobeat Collective – Roots Before Branches (2012)

When Henry Cole sought to find a singular style of music that would appeal to the diverse tastes of his local Old St. Juan music scene, his search was over when he discovered the pioneering Afrobeat sounds of Fela Kuti. You May Also Like: Paula Cole – ‘Revolution’ (2019)

Vinyl

Vijay Iyer Trio – Accelerando (2012)

The use of modern rhythms, imaginative arrangements, strong material and just plain, old fashioned butt-kicking virtuosity powers Vijay Iyer’s ‘Accelerando’ to greatness.

Steely Dan Sunday, "Aja" (1977)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Aja” (1977)

Some might dismiss “Aja” as strictly as some snobby, high-falutin’ jazz song, but “Aja” represents the artistic apex of Steely Dan.

Vinyl

Half Notes: Jacob Deaton – Tribulation (2012)

Atlanta guitarist Jacob Deaton began the year with a new album—his first one, in fact—and makes a good initial impression. These six songs, all Deaton’s, vary in tempo in mood but the common thread throughout them all is that they are crisp post-bop with simple melodies and advanced harmonies. ThisRead More

Vinyl

Merbow – Dead Zone (2012)

Music reviewing is famously described as “dancing about architecture” but dissecting Merbow’s noise music is more comparable to slicing water. For starters, the Japanese king of noise challenges and stretches the whole notion of what we call music. You May Also Like: Richard Pinhas, Tatsuya Yoshida & Merzbow – ProcessRead More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Nick Moran Trio – No Time Like Now (2012)

What struck me first about the Nick Moran Trio’s second album No Time Like Now were the instantly likable melodies and the righteous grooves. But listening to it closer reveals other reasons to like this record: the subtle tempo shifts (“Wishful Thinking”), a soul-jazz take on the blues that retainsRead More

Bill Frisell, Matt Chamberlain, Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine - Floratone II (2012)

Bill Frisell, Matt Chamberlain, Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine – Floratone II (2012)

Floratone to Bill Frisell is a lot like what the Fireman is to Paul McCartney: a way to break outside of usual comfort areas.