Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

The Lickerish Quartet - 'Threesome Vol. 2' (2021)

The Lickerish Quartet – ‘Threesome Vol. 2’ (2021)

It’s clear that The Lickerish Quartet didn’t front-load their release schedule with killer and follow it up with filler, because the high quality remains steady for this melodic rock delight, ‘Threesome Vol. 2.’

Ivo Perelman, with Matthew Shipp + Joe Morris - 'Shamanism' (2020)

Ivo Perelman, with Matthew Shipp + Joe Morris – ‘Shamanism’ (2020)

Where Ivo Perelman is involved, there is always a surprise contained in every moment. Add two like-minded musicians like Matthew Shipp and Joe Morris playing dissimilar instruments on ‘Shamanism,’ and the level of surprise and thrill are tripled.

Catherine Sikora and Ethan Winogrand - 'Things To Do In Paris' (2020)

Catherine Sikora and Ethan Winogrand – ‘Things To Do In Paris’ (2020)

A lethal combination of instincts and chops were required to pull off the improv performance ‘Things To Do In Paris’ so well; Catherine Sikora and Ethan Winogrand have plenty of both.

Walter Becker, "Golden City" (1994): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker, “Golden City” (1994): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker has a message for us from beyond the grave on how we should approach 2021. Check out the new (to us) song “Golden City” from the folks at Walter Becker Media.

Throttle Elevator Music - 'Emergency Exit' (2020)

Throttle Elevator Music – ‘Emergency Exit’ (2020)

Like their previous five long players, Throttle Elevator Music redefines rock-jazz by blending a different kind of rock with a different kind of jazz. It’s organically pure spiritual joy.

Tim Berne's Science Friction - 'Science Friction +size' (2020)

Tim Berne’s Science Friction – ‘Science Friction +size’ (2020)

There were two discoveries with ‘Science Friction +size’: When a quartet discovered new possibilities with a trumpeter, and when Tim Berne scraped a shiny disc off the floor.

Natsuki Tamura, Satoko Fujii + Ramon Lopez - 'Mantle' (2020)

Natsuki Tamura, Satoko Fujii + Ramon Lopez – ‘Mantle’ (2020)

It’s amazing how the tight musical partnership of Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii is able to embrace just one more musician and build a set of performances that fully represents the talents of all three. With drummer Ramon Lopez, ‘Mantle’ musical democracy at its finest.

Caterpillar Quartet - 'Threads' (2020)

Caterpillar Quartet – ‘Threads’ (2020)

‘Threads’ is the kind of opening statement that usually takes several tries to nail down, but the Caterpillar Quartet blends a variety of styles to make ostensibly jazz that’s often hard to neatly categorize when you dig deep into these songs.

Owl Xounds Exploding Galaxy - 'The Coalescence' (2020)

Owl Xounds Exploding Galaxy – ‘The Coalescence’ (2020)

Thankfully ESP-Disk made the call to get out to the world Owl Xounds Exploding Galaxy’s ‘The Coalescence,’ a valuable relic from an audacious NYC Downtown band that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo - 'Anemone' (2020)

Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo – ‘Anemone’ (2020)

‘Anemone’ by the Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo is sax-and-drums improvisation at its most impulsive and connective.