André 3000 – ‘New Blue Sun’ (2023)
André 3000 didn’t enter the studio intending to make an ‘Alice Coltrane’ or ‘Jon Hassell’ album, he simply followed his muse. If only more high profile artists did this.
Something Else!
Rich Halley + The Matthew Shipp Trio – ‘Fire Within’ (2023)
The seriously advanced improvising of ‘Fire Within’ is borne out of the fun that Rich Halley clearly had joining forces again with the like-minded Matthew Shipp Trio.
Wes Montgomery + The Wynton Kelly Trio – ‘Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings’ (2023)
‘Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings’ with the Wynton Kelly Trio only bolsters the case that Wes Montgomery is the greatest jazz guitarist of all time.
How John Lennon Came Roaring Back on the Beatles’ White Album
John Lennon tended to recede within Paul McCartney’s ‘Sgt. Pepper’ concept. Then the Beatles’ White Album arrived 55 years ago today.
Cidny Bullens – ‘Little Pieces’ (2023)
‘Little Pieces’ is one of 2023’s best albums, offering a personal and moving musical experience that intertwines with Cidny Bullens’ compelling narrative.
Five ‘With the Beatles’ Deep Cuts That Illustrate Their Lasting Debt to R&B
Released 60 years ago this week, ‘With the Beatles’ is best known as the home for “All My Loving.” Let’s go further off this album’s beaten path.
Defne Sahin – ‘Hope’ (2023)
Defne Sahin’s ‘Hope’ is an album of many facets, each one a little gem in the beautifully finished piece.
Incognito – ‘Into You’ (2023)
Incognito’s ‘Into You’ will lift spirits with craft grooves from start to finish because there are no sag points.
How ‘Let It Be … Naked’ Led to Our New Understanding of the Beatles’ End
Released 20 years ago today, ‘Let It Be … Naked’ cleared the way for a larger reclamation project. The Beatles’ split would be completely reevaluated.
Trevor Rabin – ‘Rio’ (2023)
Former Yes hitmaker Trevor Rabin is back with his first vocal album since 1989, confirming that years of soundtrack work didn’t dull his rock sensibilities.
