For this middle-of-2013 version list of best modern and mainstream jazz records, I expanded the meaning of “modern and mainstream jazz” a little bit this year You May Also Like: No related posts.

As members of Seattle’s vibrant, underrated improvised music scene, Kate Olsen and Naomi Siegel are rising stars there who have pooled their creative talents into the project Syrinx Effect. Olson plays soprano sax and Siegel the trombone, but there’s more to this duo than just two horns. You May AlsoRead More

If you were to go back and check the choices I made at the middle of 2012 for non-jazz albums released the first six months of that year, you’d find the artists being awarded were among the biggest hitmakers You May Also Like: How Robben Ford’s ‘The Inside Story’ IntroducedRead More

It’s been a really solid year for hard rock and metal so far. At six months, I’m often adding mediocre albums that I know won’t make the final list to get to 10. This year, I actually had to make a tough call or two. You May Also Like: WhyRead More

An intriguing mixture of old-school chanteuse and tough-minded modern woman, Hadiza Dockeray puts her foot down on “Somebody Better” — and then uses it to kick the ever-loving ass of some no-account. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Often in sizing up drummers who lead their own bands, I find that they either actively get out front or they get out of the way and let their band mates becomes the focal point. You May Also Like: Allison Miller and Jane Ira Bloom – ‘Tues Days’ (2021)

Occasionally, an album comes bursting out of your speakers, and you know — just know — that it’s going to end up here, on your half-way best of list. And on the year-ending compendium, too. Steven Wilson put out that album. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Reut Regev’s ‘exploRing the vibe’ is a record that truly lives up to the title, as each song has a vibe.

Überjam was the most contemporary music John Scofield had made in a richly varied, artistically meaningful and just plain enjoyable career in jazz over these last forty years; only fellow guitarist Pat Metheny can point to a more impressive body of work over that time. You May Also Like: JohnRead More

Round Two of the Queensryche wars arrives on June 25, 2013 with the eponymous new release from the Todd La Torre-fronted version. As expected, this lineup dips back into the history of the band You May Also Like: Why Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ is Still One of the Best Concept AlbumsRead More