Something Else!

Vinyl

One Track Mind: Thomas Dolby, "Oceanea" (2011)

He’s not the guy from the famous video anymore. Nobody’s shouting “Science!” on Thomas Dolby’s latest work, this trickling, crystalline ride through a melancholic memory. You May Also Like: Projekt Gemineye, “Virtual Reality” (2018): One Track Mind Projekt Gemineye, “Sacred Sons” from ‘In the Year 3073: Book II’ (2020): OneRead More

Vinyl

Brent Canter – Urgency Of Now (2011)

With a tone resembling Kurt Rosenwinkel’s but with the soft touch of Jim Hall, Brent Canter’s soulful maneuverings display the lessons he learned first hand from Kenny Burrell. And by the way, who won this year’s ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award? That’s right, Brent Canter. You May Also Like: NoRead More

Vinyl

On Second Thought: Blackfield – II (2007)

Guitarist and vocalist Steven Wilson seems to have split his pop sensibility off from his “other” band, Porcupine Tree, so they could focus more on delving into darker subjects with heavier music. Blackfield, his project with Israeli singer Aviv Geffen, is more of an outlet for his more, um …Read More

Vinyl

Bill Frisell – Unspeakable (2005)

by Mark Saleski Big ears: usually a none-too-nice description of some poor kid on the elementary school playground. In the jazz world, “big ears” is a good thing. You May Also Like: Bill Frisell’s Timeless ‘Live’ Opened Up a New Musical World for Me Bill Frisell – Music IS (2018)Read More

Vinyl

Steve Cropper – ‘Dedicated’ (2011)

Tribute records are a tricky things; star-studded tribute projects even more so. It takes a strong unifying voice, some central character beyond the featured composer, to save them from sounding like choppy compilations. Steve Cropper, on today’s 429 Records release Dedicated, is that voice. Co-founder of Booker T and theRead More

Vinyl

America – Back Pages (2011)

The last week of July was an occasion of joy and pain for the folk-rock group America. Two days after founding ex-member Dan Peek passed away at the age of 60, America released their first album since 2007’s return-to-form Here And Now. You May Also Like: Stephen Stills & JudyRead More

Vinyl

Craig Taborn – Junk Magic (2004)

by Tom Johnson Another slab of envelope-pushing jazz from Craig Taborn, one that relies heavily on the strong improvisatory skills of the band backing his keyboards and piano. You May Also Like: Craig Taborn’s Junk Magic – ‘Compass Confusion’ (2020) Tim Berne’s Hardcell [Berne, Craig Taborn + Tom Rainey] –Read More

Vinyl

Cathy Jean – In the Remains (2011)

Cathy Jean’s In the Remains darts out with an attitude that’s both confessional and confrontational. She can be equal parts check-me-out and get-the-heck-out. You May Also Like: When Jean Luc Ponty Made a Triumphant Return With ‘Life Enigma’

Vinyl

Keb Mo – The Reflection (2011)

Keb Mo isn’t that kid playing the old blues on the old steel guitar anymore. Instead he often comes off on his new album The Reflection like a pillowy-smooth 1970s-era singer-songwriter You May Also Like: Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – Tajmo (2017)

Vinyl

Mace Hibbard – Time Gone By (2011)

They say everything is bigger in Texas. Waco-born Mace Hibbard cuts an imposing figure, like someone who spent his Friday nights (and perhaps even Saturday afternoons) on the gridiron as a teenager. But to this son of notable Texas trumpet player Dave Hibbard, “big” means the full, dulcet sounds comingRead More