Something Else!

Chillingsworth Surfingham - 'Chillingsworth' (2021)

Chillingsworth Surfingham – ‘Chillingsworth’ (2021)

Chillingsworth Surfingham is actually a pseudonym for John Ashfield, who is the leader of the internationally known San Francisco band the Bobbleheads.

Steph Richards with Joshua White, "Zephyr" (2021): Something Else! video premiere

Steph Richards with Joshua White, “Zephyr” (2021): Something Else! video premiere

The highly individual trumpet of Steph Richards and the interesting twists heard on “Zephyr” set the pattern for the rest of the upcoming adventurous album of the same name.

MC5 - 'High Time' (1971): Shadows in Stereo

MC5 – ‘High Time’ (1971): Shadows in Stereo

Why is there no fanfare for the 50th anniversary of MC5’s ‘High Time’? As seems to be typical these days, I have no answer.

Remembering 9/11: John Adams - 'On the Transmigration of Souls' (2002)

Remembering 9/11: John Adams – ‘On the Transmigration of Souls’ (2002)

John Adams’ “On the Transmigration of Souls” is difficult, not just because it’s a classical operatic piece but because 9/11 still sparks so many feelings.

Nils Landgren Funk Unit - 'Funk Is My Religion' (2021)

Nils Landgren Funk Unit – ‘Funk Is My Religion’ (2021)

Sometimes you want jazz that makes you think and other times you just want that jazz to party and get down. The Nils Landgren Funk Unit takes care of the latter end of the spectrum with their recent release ‘Funk Is My Religion.’

Satoko Fujii - 'Piano Music' (2021)

Satoko Fujii – ‘Piano Music’ (2021)

With a prepared piano, Satoko Fujii once again makes “music that no one has ever heard before.”

James McMurtry - 'The Horses and the Hounds' (2021)

James McMurtry – ‘The Horses and the Hounds’ (2021)

Wisdom flows like the Mississippi River through James McMurtry’s brilliant new album. It’s Bob Dylan, without the metaphor.

Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra - 'Tinctures In Times [Community Music, Vol. 1]' (2021)

Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra – ‘Tinctures In Times [Community Music, Vol. 1]’ (2021)

While the energy of prior MTO records might be dialed back a bit, Steven Bernstein’s ‘Tinctures In Times’ is every bit as adventurous and emotionally weighty as before.

The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet, "Airbourne" from 'Plan B' (2021): Sneak peek

The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet, “Airbourne” from ‘Plan B’ (2021): Sneak peek

Clearly the guys of The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet are very comfortable playing together, and the immediacy and unity heard on “Airbourne” proves it.

Every Copy of Rush's 'Roll the Bones' Reveals Something New

Every Copy of Rush’s ‘Roll the Bones’ Reveals Something New

Rush’s ‘Roll the Bones,’ released 30 years ago today, is better than most people think. I should know, as many times as I’ve bought it.