To commence Nou La, Vo-Duo sends blessings to the sacred heart of the Asoto drum, to the spirits and finally to the listeners. This modest, exquisite acapella piece, called “Bonjou,” foretells the loveliness and sanctity to come. You May Also Like: David Philips + Abel Boquera – ‘The Duo Sessions’Read More

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

Recently I came across a video of televised performance featuring the Gary Burton Quartet, and its guitarist Larry Coryell was using his solo time to deliver some tasty licks that perfectly bridged the gap between rock guitar and jazz guitar. You May Also Like: Larry Coryell – ‘Last Swing WithRead More

When listening to instrumental rock groups like Guapo, I realize how broad is that term “instrumental rock” because it can connote prog rock, art rock, fusion jazz, post-rock, experimental rock, kraut rock and avant-garde. You May Also Like: Thinking Plague – Hoping Against Hope (2017)

Like Linda Oh, Troy Roberts’ journey from Perth, Australia to New York City has left a trail of awards and accolades in his wake and one gets the sense he’s just getting started. And yet, Nu-Jive 5, due next week, will be his fifth album. You May Also Like: WRDRead More

What do you get when you cross the discriminating refinement of a piano jazz trio with the ferocious impact of a power trio? You get Hiromi’s latest, dangerous little combo. You May Also Like: Hiromi, “Spectrum” from ‘Spectrum’ (2019): One Track Mind

Good improvisers can bolster a melodic development. The really great ones can make up a whole new one out of thin air. You May Also Like: Eberhard Weber – ‘The Colours of Chloe’ (1974, 2023 hi-res reissue) Jan Garbarek Surged Out of a Quieter Era With the Explorative ‘Dresden’

One of the striking features of the current crop of jazz stars poised to dominate the scene is how so plugged in they are with their contemporaries on the rock, RnB and hip-hip side of music. You May Also Like: Christian Scott Confirmed His Vision for Jazz With ‘Live atRead More

When I attended a Pat Metheny Unity Band concert last October, I often focused on what the drummer Antonio Sanchez was doing. Not so much when he soloed but his drumming from behind the front lines. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘From This Place’ (2019): OneRead More