In a world of ever-deepening on-demand specialization, the Stay Tuned Project brilliantly defies easy categorization. There’s rockabilly in here, blue-sky Britpop, touches of reggae, sun-drenched Beach Boys, something approaching Andrew Bird’s trembling openness You May Also Like: Chet Atkins, “Please Stay Tuned” (1985): One Track Mind
Dave Grohl’s soundtrack to his passionately crafted film about Los Angeles’ Sound City recording studio is just as lovingly constructed, with just as many smart insights. Grohl teases out tough new performances from unlikely sources You May Also Like: How Dave Grohl Surprised Everybody With That Paul McCartney Collaboration HowRead More
King Crimson, of all things, was the ensemble that first demonstrated (to the wider public, at least) the greater possibilities introduced by a double trio. And now, a Frenchman and an American extend this thrilling concept into jazz. You May Also Like: Illegal Crowns [Tomas Fujiwara, Mary Halvorson, Taylor HoRead More
Like 461 Ocean Boulevard, but with better singing, Eric Clapton’s Old Sock is similarly thin on original songs, swerves into an amiable island-inflected vibe, and never gets too far outside of its super-mellow box. You May Also Like: How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for BritishRead More
An ambitious project for a first timer, multi-reedist, composer and bandleader Joshua Kwassman made Songs Of The Brother Spirit from a set of intricately scored music based on some reflections on his young life You May Also Like: Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, “Big Brother, Little Brother” (2016): One Track Mind HowRead More
Kris Kristofferson is 77 years old — and could still collectively kick all of our asses. If there’s anything listening to his latest effort Feeling Mortal has taught me it’s a weathered, broken down man is not defeated You May Also Like: Bill Lloyd – Feeling the Elephant (1987): ForgottenRead More
One of the best jazz vocal groups to emerge from the 1990s, New York Voices is marking their 25th anniversary with a live CD, Live with the WDR Big Band Cologne. You May Also Like: Garage A Trois – ‘Calm Down Cologne’ (2021) Maceo Parker’s Roots and Grooves was halfRead More
A first-call bassist boasting appearances on more than 500 albums, Tony Levin is giving nothing away to age, even as he approaches his 67th birthday. You May Also Like: Tony Levin on King Crimson, Stick Men and Photographing It All: Something Else! Interview
Drivetime calls what they do “urban organic jazz” and, actually, that about sums it up. The Philly group blends Latin rhythms, Tower of Power-style grooves and these satiny smooth instrumental lines on Ignition You May Also Like: Bob Sheppard – ‘The Fine Line’ (2019)
Around the same time Robert Hurst recorded the trio document Unrehurst, Vol. 1 with Robert Glasper (piano) and Damion Reid (drums), the bassist/composer and bandleader had convened a sort of summit meeting You May Also Like: Bob James – ‘Once Upon a Time: The Lost 1965 New York Studio Sessions’Read More
