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Annihilator – ‘Feast’ (2013)

Annihilator finally seems to have found a bit of stability, releasing a string of very good records with vocalist David Padden – including this one.

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, "Suite: I. Florida Greeting Song" (1977)

(Cross the) Heartland: Pat Metheny, “Suite: I. Florida Greeting Song” (1977)

Pat Metheny has always held drummers and percussionists in high regard — the key components of an ensemble. Looking back at his career, it’s not hard too see the evidence You May Also Like: Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’s ‘Rejoicing’ Another Listen Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’llRead More

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Sting – The Last Ship (2013)

The shame of it, really, is that Sting’s still-resonant pop smarts are often subsumed on The Last Ship, his first proper album in a decade, by its High Concept beginnings as a theatrical production. You May Also Like: Sting – 57th and 9th (2016) How Laura Branigan’s Passion and EmotionRead More

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The Claudia Quintet – September (2013)

Bandleader, drummer and composer John Hollenbeck has been able to keep his Claudia Quintet viable long after its original formation in the late 90s by continually tossing new challenges at it. You May Also Like: GEORGE [John Hollenbeck] – ‘Letters to George’ (2023) Brian Landrus – ‘For Now’ (2020)

The Beatles, "Sun King" from Abbey Road (1969): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “Sun King” from Abbey Road (1969): Deep Beatles

Next in the Abbey Road medley is one of the Beatles’ most beautiful yet mysterious tracks, “Sun King.” In later years, John Lennon dismissed “Sun King” as “a piece of garbage I had around,” but its lovely harmonies and mystical lyrics transform it into an entrancing listening experience. You MayRead More

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Ken Peplowski – Maybe September (2013)

Maybe September, Ken Peplowski’s third outing for Capri Records, delivers the clarinetist and saxophonist in high form as expected. You May Also Like: Ken Sharp, “Hellcat” (2021): One Track Mind Ken Sharp, “Hold Me Touch Me” / “Mr. Make Believe” (2021) One Track Mind Ken Sharp, “Liquid Mercury” (2021): OneRead More

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The Friday Morning Listen: The Lounge Lizards – Live in Tokyo: Big Heart (1986)

“There is something very personal to me in his music. The music understands me.” You May Also Like: Marc Ribot + The Young Philadelphians – Live In Tokyo (2016) Matthew Shipp and Michael Bisio – Live In Seattle (2016)

Pirate Songs That Don't Suck [Sex Pistols, Alestorm + Others]: Gimme Five

Pirate Songs That Don’t Suck [Sex Pistols, Alestorm + Others]: Gimme Five

Instead of strapping on my eyepatch and hoisting the Jolly Roger, I celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day by taking in some of my favorite pirate songs.

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One Step Beyond, Part 2: Sammy Stein on the development of free jazz

This is part two of Sammy Stein’s comprehensive look into the genesis of the rangy improvisational genre of music that eventually became known as free jazz. [Click here for Part 1.] You May Also Like: ‘All That’s Jazz,’ by Sammy Stein (2017): Books Paul Jolly, free jazz musician, club ownerRead More

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Matthew Shipp – Piano Sutras (2013)

In Hinduism, we are told that sutras are a collection of aphorisms providing guidance on how to conduct our lives. You May Also Like: Matthew Shipp Trio – Piano Song (2017) Matthew Shipp – ‘The Piano Equation’ (2020) Matthew Shipp – ‘Codebreaker’ (2021)