Something Else!

The Deanan Gourmet Popcorn Factory Crew, "Lil' Kernel" (2018): One Track Mind

The Deanan Gourmet Popcorn Factory Crew, “Lil’ Kernel” (2018): One Track Mind

The men and women who make popcorn in a Wylie, Texas factory believe strongly enough in their mission to devise a cool 90-second rap ditty.

Vinyl

Satoko Fujii Orchestra Berlin – Ninety-Nine Years (2018)

The Satoko Fujii Orchestra Berlin really comes onto its own with ‘Ninety-Nine Years.’

Vinyl

Tom Tallitsch – Wheelhouse (2018)

Tom Tallitsch’s ‘Wheelhouse’ is all in a day’s work for this underappreciated tenor saxman, who once again demonstrates the continued vitality of the hard bop form. If that kind of jazz is in your wheelhouse, then this album is sure to be as well.

Vinyl

Circles Around the Sun – Let It Wander (2018)

Is it jazz-rock fusion or just instrumental jam-rock? Such descriptions are superfluous when the music connects as ‘Let It Wander’ by Circles Around The Sun does.

Walter Becker, "She Was Good" (early 1990s): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker, “She Was Good” (early 1990s): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker’s estate drops another ’11 Tracks of Whack’ outtake that continues the decades-old theme of falling for a prostitute.

Vinyl

Bobby Previte – Rhapsody (2018)

Whether it’s individual heroics or wonderful ensemble symmetry, ‘Rhapsody’ begins with the mind of Bobby Previte. He not only had a concept but saw it to a fully developed work that stays true to its mission and articulated it well.

Vinyl

Jason Stein’s Locksmith Isidore – After Caroline (2018)

The return of Jason Stein’s Locksmith Isidore with ‘After Caroline’ is a welcome one because these guys don’t slouch for a second in taking on Stein’s challenging material.

Vinyl

Thelonious Monk – Mønk (2018)

The thought that this Thelonious Monk recording could have been lost is too much. ‘Mønk’ is amazing.

Vinyl

Big Heart Machine, “Dipsea Steps” from Big Heart Machine (2018): Something Else! premiere

Here is the streaming premiere of “Dipsea Steps” from Brian Krock’s exciting new big band, Big Heart Machine.

Vinyl

Rob Dixon Trio, with Charlie Hunter and Mike Clark – Coast To Crossroads (2018)

The Rob Dixon Trio’s ‘Coast To Crossroads’ is funk-jazz that’s the best because it comes from the best.