Satoko Fujii Orchestra New York – ‘Entity’ (2020)
Satoko Fujii doesn’t play an instrument in her orchestra; she conducts it. Still, there is hardly a more accurate manifestation of her genius artistry.
Something Else!
Susanne Ortner Trio – ‘Last Stop Sehnsucht’ (2020)
Susanne Ortner’s journey to New Orleans was partly due to her seeking “Sehnsucht,” a German word for yearning or wistful longing.
State Cows – ‘Challenges’ (2019)
State Cows, often referred to as yacht rock, is an example of why musical labels are such a disservice.
Pat Metheny Discovered Bold New Machine-Aided Freedoms With ‘Orchestrion’
Issued 10 years ago this month, ‘Orchestrion’ found Pat Metheny improvising over sounds produced through an intriguing 19th-century contraption.
Thollem/Parker/Cline – ‘Gowanus Sessions II’ (2020)
‘Gowanus Sessions II’ is the long-awaited second part of an epic improv recording session from Thollem McDonas, William Parker and Nels Cline.
Dave Clark Five – ‘All the Hits’ (2020)
Sporting matching suits and short hair, the Dave Clark Five may have looked wholesome, but their music boomed with force and aggression.
Theo Hill – ‘Reality Check’ (2020)
On his third album ‘Reality Check,’ pianist Theo Hill is advancing his craft forcefully, a positive sign of creative restlessness.
How John Lennon’s Aptly Named ‘Instant Karma’ Set a Career Template
Recorded over a single day 50 years ago this month, John Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma’ pointed the way for the triumph of his solo debut.
Adrian Belew’s ‘Side One’ Was a Journey Through His Rich Musical History
Released 15 years ago this week, Adrian Belew’s ‘Side One’ began four separate installments of adrenaline-charged, twisty guitar. Better buckle up!
Judas Priest, Jackson Taylor, Blackberry Smoke, Alestorm + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2010s
It’s not until you actually start combing through the hundreds of records you’ve listened to over a decade that you realize how daunting the task really is.
