Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

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Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Barefoot In The Head (2017)

Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s ‘Barefoot In The Head’ doesn’t ape the Black Crowes or the Grateful Dead. It takes the best of both and runs it through its own carefree filter.

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Brandon Seabrook – Die Trommel Fatale (2017)

Always crazy like a fox, Brandon Seabrook might have again made radical art with ‘Die Trommel Fatale,’ but it’s art with plenty of purpose, vision and balls.

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David Philips – Winter (2017)

With the more mainstream rock record ‘Winter,’ David Philips has again made music without making any concessions.

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Plucky Strum [Sheryl Bailey & Harvie S] – Departure (2017)

‘Departure’ is no departure from what Sheryl Bailey and Harvie S have been doing so well together, which makes their second disc a very pleasurable listen like the first.

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W-2 – Fanatics (2017)

99.9% of people will listen to the trailer above for W-2’s new album Fanatics and will go no further with this article. If you’re part of that zero-point-one percenter contingent who loves to indulge in anti-music music at least on occasion, keep going… You May Also Like: Matt Mayhall –Read More

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Roscoe Mitchell – Bells for the South Side (2017)

After five-decade history of rattling the very foundations of jazz, Roscoe Mitchell returns to what’s become a symbol the jazz establishment to make a strong statement of his undying vitality.

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Burning Ghosts – Reclamation (2017)

True to the stated purpose of Burning Ghosts, ‘Reclamation’ is another piercing protest document without words. But regardless of what your politics might be, there’s much to relish here as long as you appreciate raw passion delivered through accomplished musicianship and a fearless attitude.

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Riverside [Dave Douglas, Chet Doxas, Steve Swallow, Jim Doxas] – The New National Anthem (2017)

The ever-discerning Carla Bley herself is a fan of the Bley tribute ‘The New National Anthem,’ and with the sheer joy on display that went into making this record, it’s not hard to figure why.

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Toxic: Mat Walerian, Matthew Shipp, William Parker – This Is Beautiful Because We Are Beautiful People (2017)

”This Is Beautiful Because We Are Beautiful People’ is a set of performances that succeed because the Toxic musicians place all trust on instinct and the instincts of others.

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Kate Gentile, “Alchemy Melt (With Tilt)” from Mannequins (2017): Something Else! exclusive stream

“Alchemy Melt (With Tilt)” is an album’s worth of ideas from a single song and there are a dozen other songs on Kate Gentile’s ‘Mannequins.’