Butcher Brown – ‘#KingButch’ (2020)
Butcher Brown’s fusion / R&B / funk / punk alchemy doesn’t brow beat you into submission. Instead, seductive grooves and confident musicianship do that job.
Something Else!
Champian Fulton – ‘Birdsong’ (2020)
‘Birdsong’ is a respectful and classy homage to Charlie Parker and the music which has influenced Champian Fulton since she was small.
Kevin Godley, “Hit the Street” from ‘Muscle Memory’ (2020): One Track Mind
Kevin Godley of 10cc and Godley and Creme fame returns with an intriguing single that advances his new solo album ‘Muscle Memory.’
Matthew Shipp Trio – ‘The Unidentifiable’ (2020)
No matter how free or straight it’s played, ‘The Unidentifiable’ is always eloquent, audacious and artful. The Matthew Shipp Trio continues to set the standard for the modern jazz trio of our time.
‘Bachman and Turner’ Resurrected the Spirit of Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Released 10 years ago today, ‘Bachman and Turner’ was a Bachman-Turner Overdrive comeback in every way except the album title.
Takuya Kuroda – ‘Fly Moon Die Soon’ (2020)
Takuya Kuroda already located the sweet spot where funk, jazz, hip-hop and R&B intersect. Now he’s amping up the studio creativity with ‘Fly Moon Die Soon.’
Soft Machine – ‘Live at the Baked Potato’ (2020)
‘Live at the Baked Potato’ shows that you can’t keep a good band down. But does this edition of Soft Machine stand up to what went before?
How the Rolling Stones Got Their Mojo Back With ‘A Bigger Bang’
The Rolling Stones accomplished something 15 years ago today that hadn’t happened in a quarter century: They put out a good record.
Anna Webber – ‘Rectangles’ (2020)
Anna Webber builds a talented band around an idea from years earlier, and her deeper dive into that idea is well justified, judging from this galvanized performance.
Circuline – ‘CircuLive::NewView’ (2020)
Circuline’s new concert recording ‘CircuLive::NewView’ is melodic and molten rock that sizzles right out of the pizza prog oven.
