Other Barry (George Colligan, Enzo Irace, Micah Hummel) – ‘Escape Route’ (2018)
A direct outgrowth of George Colligan’s work as an educator, Other Barry sounds like a bunch of PhD professors of funky rock-jazz.
Other News
U2, “New Year’s Day” from ‘War’ (1983): One Track Mind
Dozens of winters later, as “the world in white gets underway,” U2’s message on “New Year’s Day” is still worth exploring.
Steve Kuhn Trio – ‘To and From the Heart’ (2018)
Steve Kuhn just doing his regular jazz trio thing with Joey Baron and Steve Swallow – as they do on ‘To and From the Heart’ – is always exceptionally good.
Yes, “Foot Prints” from ‘Keys to Ascension 2’ (1997): YESterdays
The fact that Yes’ ‘Keys to Ascension 2’ wasn’t a hit is more due to the changing music environment that the material.
Tiger Hatchery – ‘Breathing In the Walls’ (2018)
Tiger Hatchery’s ‘Breathing In the Walls’ proves that you don’t have to find an alternative to jazz to get your yah-yah’s out.
David Sanborn, “I Told U So” from ‘Backstreet’ (1983): One Track Mind
David Sanborn opened his new album 35 years ago with a sublime slice of sultry, mid-tempo funk co-written by the late, lamented Hiram Bullock.
Mark Wade, Chris Carver, Peter Erskine + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 (Jazz)
Preston Frazier’s jazz-focused survey of Best of 2018 albums includes Mark Wade, Chris Carver, Peter Erskine and Stanley Clarke, among others.
Dave Douglas – ‘UPLIFT, Twelve Pieces For Positive Action’ (2018)
The upheaval seen in Washington and elsewhere since 2016 has amped up the political awareness of a lot of people, and Dave Douglas is no exception.
How ‘Wish’ Scuffed Up Joshua Redman’s Initial Melodicism
Joshua Redman’s sophomore album, released 25 years ago, represented a bold new direction for the just-debuted saxophonist.
Chicago, “What Child Is This” from ‘Chicago XXV’ (1998): Saturdays in the Park
“What Child Is This” demonstrates that Bill Champlin’s greatest contribution to Chicago was his arrangement acumen.
