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Tony Jones – Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness (2011)

I’m a sucker for odd instrumentations, which is one of the reasons why I’m drawn to progressive and whack jazz. Listening to strange timbres that come from instruments coming together that aren’t usually combined tends to perk my ears up, trying to solve the puzzle of the sonic conundrum. ItRead More

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Bill Dixon – Bill Dixon with the Exploding Star Orchestra (2008)

I had this discussion about jazz with a friend of mine once. He really couldn’t deal the sound of a full-bore, large-scale ensemble You May Also Like: Rob Dixon Trio, with Charlie Hunter and Mike Clark – Coast To Crossroads (2018) Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra – ‘Lightning Dreamers’Read More

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Half Notes: Keith Jarrett – Bop-be (1977)

The time will come when architects and engineers will be summoned to my house to shore up the floor beneath my Keith Jarrett collection. Not yet though. A favorite items is my sealed copy of Bop-Be, a session covering the music of Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Alec Wilder.Read More

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Schoolyard Heroes – The Funeral Sciences (2004)

When I saw titles like “All-You-Can-Eat Cancer” and “Bury the Tooth of the Hydra and a Skeleton Army Will Arise,” I knew I was in for something at least interesting. You May Also Like: Electric Simcha – ‘Joy’ (2020) How ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ Changed EverythingRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: Tori Amos – Crucify EP (1992)

Right about this time every year, somebody steps on the accelerator and we rocket toward the new year. The holidays can be quite hectic, which I’m pretty sure adds to that feeling of the uncontrolled passage of time. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Half Notes: Gorillaz – Demon Days (2005)

The sophomore release from the best cartoon-band in the world found them skirting that dreaded sophomore-slump, for the most part. Out is Dan the Automator, in is Grey Album conspirator Danger Mouse, and the difference is notable in the tone of the album. Where the self-titled release was a littleRead More

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One Track Mind: David Byrne, "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)" (2011)

David Byrne does some intriguing new things with this live update of “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody),” from the Talking Heads’ 1983 release Speaking in Tongues. You May Also Like: Ever Wonder How David Byrne Fit Inside That Giant Talking Heads Suit?

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Ramsey Lewis, jazz legend: Something Else! Interview

Ramsey Lewis discusses his signature hit “The ‘In’ Crowd,” and a breakthrough collaborative moment with Earth Wind and Fire.

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Mamas and Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966; 2010 reissue)

If there was ever a group that sang in perfect harmony, it was the Mamas and the Papas. Featuring Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty, the Los Angeles based quartet gleaned phenomenal success in the 1960s, and their influence continues to resonate throughout the ether today. StunningRead More

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Half Notes: Ryan Adams and the Cardinals – Follow the Lights (2007)

Ryan Adams followed up a fantastic 2007 Easy Tiger album with Follow the Lights — a seven-song EP featuring two brand-new songs seen on ABC television show “October Road.” The rest were live-in-studio alternate versions of previously recorded songs, aside from his cover of Alice in Chains’ “Down In ARead More