Rudresh Mahanthappa – ‘Hero Trio’ (2020)
Just because Rudresh Mahanthappa took a break from composing for this project doesn’t mean he took a break from creating.
Something Else!
Jon Anderson – ‘1000 Hands’ (2020)
In its own wise way, Jon Anderson’s guest-filled, often quietly involving new solo album ‘1000 Hands’ sails pretty darn “close to the edge.”
Archon Angel – ‘Fallen’ (2020)
If I can’t have a Savatage reunion, here’s hoping that Archon Angel keeps the magic alive.
Brandon Seabrook, with Cooper-Moore + Gerald Cleaver – ‘Exultations’ (2020)
You never know what to expect from a new Brandon Seabrook album, aside from that it’s guaranteed to be way outside the bounds of normal. ‘Exultations’ is certainly that.
Danielia Cotton – ‘A Different War’ (2020)
Danielia Cotton’s six-song EP ‘A Different War’ is as hard-charging and personal as anything in her career. She’s not pulling any punches.
Adrian Younge + Ali Shaheed Muhammad – ‘Roy Ayers JID 002’ (2020)
Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s ‘Roy Ayers JID 002′ does a great job of showing the timelessness of Roy Ayers’ 70s music with a message for people of the present.
Whit Dickey – ‘Expanding Light’ (2020)
Veteran drummer and novice record label entrepreneur Whit Dickey finds ways to keep things fresh, this time with a new trio for ‘Expanding Light.’
Al Stewart – ‘Year of the Cat’ (1976): On Second Thought
A striking synthesis of folk, classical, pop and rock, ‘Year of the Cat’ deftly demonstrated Al Stewart’s ability to craft literate songs.
Karuna Trio (Adam Rudolph, Hamid Drake, Ralph M. Jones) – ‘Imaginary Archipelago’ (2020)
By applying today’s sound processing technology to hand-made music that was conceived instantly, Adam Rudolph magnifies the exotic musical concepts of himself and his longtime partners and collaborators Hamid Drake and Ralph M. Jones.
Chad Taylor Trio – ‘The Daily Biological’ (2020)
With Neil Podgurski and Brian Settles by Chad Taylor’s side, ‘The Daily Biological’ manages to cover a lot of fertile ground found in Taylor’s artistry.
