Steely Dan’s “Midnite Cruiser” remains the song Jim Hodder is most remembered by. And it’s a fine way to be remembered.

In the twisted, sound-bending world of Garage Á Trois, it’s well beyond finding that rare groove, it’s about finding sounds that are even more fundamentally rare. You May Also Like: Garage A Trois – ‘Calm Down Cologne’ (2021) Nolatet – No Revenge Necessary (2018)

Netherlands-based Black And Tan Records has been doing its part to keep the blues alive since 1998, signing up artists from America and Europe like Boo Boo Davis, Big George Jackson, Billy Jones, Byther Smith, You May Also Like: ElectroBluesSociety featuring Boo Boo Davis, “What’s Going On” (2021): One TrackRead More

The jazz world suffered a significant loss Monday with the passing of violinist Billy Bang. Reportedly afflicted with lung cancer, Bang, born William Vincent Walker, was 63 years old. Given his stage name from friends as a youth, a name taken from a cartoon character, Bang’s life was anything butRead More

Going from unknown two years ago to co-leading a duet record with Matthew Shipp is a meteoric rise in the avant jazz world, much less any world, but that’s just what alto saxophonist has accomplished in this short time frame. You May Also Like: Matthew Shipp – Zero (2018) MatthewRead More

Here’s an early indication that Steely Dan wasn’t going to dwell on romantic themes in their lyrics.

As I type this review, I’m listening to not necessarily All Wrapped Up, the new record by organist Jared Gold, but also Unity by Larry Young. I know, it doesn’t make sense, since it’s Gold’s record being reviewed here, not Young’s. But something struck me about All Wrapped Up whenRead More

A young guy who hails from a small town north of London armed with photo-friendly mop top looks, an acoustic guitar and a soulful voice, Lee MacDougall might be the next in a wave of male British singer-songwriter sensations You May Also Like: Lucas Lee – ‘Lowered Expectations’ (2018)

Rhys Chatham: The Man With The Horns. Many, many horns. It might be only the third Stacks so far this year, but it’s a much overdue one. There’s a whopping seven 2011 releases discussed here You May Also Like: Rhys Chatham – Pythagorean Dream (2016) Michel Petrucciani, with Gary PeacockRead More

Some of the earlier Steely Dan tunes sound a little like they were meant for a different act. “Dirty Work” is like that.