Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

Vinyl

Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon (2012)

With the death of Hank Jones a couple of years ago, Ahmad Jamal might now be considered the dean of jazz pianists, but in all likelihood, he’s long been more influential You May Also Like: Nick Millevoi – ‘Moon Pulses’ (2024) Denny Zeitlin – Wishing On The Moon (2018)

Vinyl

miX&dorp (Various Artists) – Black and Tan Edits (2012)

DJ-manufactured dance/electronica/trance stuff isn’t usually my cup of tea, but maybe it’s the lack of good melodies to go along with the grooves. That’s the special advantage of Black And Tan Records’ “miX&dorp” party remixes of blues You May Also Like: ElectroBluesSociety featuring Boo Boo Davis, “What’s Going On” (2021):Read More

Steely Dan Sunday, "Black Cow" (1977)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Black Cow” (1977)

Crisp, perfectly modulated, utterly suave and precisely integrated, the sound on this Steely Dan record set new standards.

Vinyl

Ian Tordella – Tragic Comedy (2012)

I might have stated this a time or two before on this space, but the future of jazz as a living, breathing, expanding music form is in the hands of the twenty and thirtysomethings who grew up on Bjork, Radiohead and Oasis You May Also Like: No related posts.

Vinyl

Half Notes: Talking Cows – Almost Human (2012)

The Dutch quartet Talking Cows never take themselves too seriously — see video below — but the non-nonsense modern jazz they make is no joke. Admirers of The Netherlands’ great jazz icon Misha Menglelberg, Talking Cows uses strong melodies that often masks the intricacies happening underneath, and an energetic, pliableRead More

Vinyl

Half Notes: Memories Of Machines – Warm Winter (2011)

My first thought upon listening to Warm Winter by Memories Of Machines was that it’s very similar to Steven Wilson’s softer side. My second thought was that the vocalist sounds an awful lot like Wilson’s old No-Man partner Tim Bowness. Turns out, it IS Tim Bowness singing. He formed thisRead More

Vinyl

Matthew Shipp Trio – Elastic Aspects (2012)

Matthew Shipp has earned his reputation as an out-jazz piano player who offers the clearest alternative yet to the propulsive cacophony of Cecil Taylor. You May Also Like: Matthew Shipp Quartet – Sonic Fiction (2018)

Vinyl

Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber – All Ya Needs That Negrocity (2011)

In characterizing the music of the deliberately elusive collective Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber, one can come up with a whole host of made-up genres and still not quite nail what they sound like. You May Also Like: Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber – ‘Angels Over Oakanda’ (2021) Biscay –Read More

Steely Dan Sunday, "Here at the Western World" (1976)

Steely Dan Sunday, “Here at the Western World” (1976)

The theme is a Steely Dan favorite: “Here at the Western World” takes a darkly sarcastic look at drug-addled depravity in contemporary America.

Vinyl

Hyrrokkin – Astrionics (EP, 2011)

Hyrrokkin, which is named after one of Saturn’s moons, is a band that didn’t exist nine months ago but came together quickly and late last summer, produced an EP on cassette and CDR’s as they went a-touring across across North America. You May Also Like: King Loosestrife – ‘Echelon Beam’Read More