by Mark Saleski Reviewers sometimes get too caught up playing the label game: jazz, pop, world (ah, the ambiguous catch-all label), rock, ambient. Whenever a writer struggles with material that lacks a definite musical anchor, I am reminded of the transformation seen through Miles Davis’ electric years. You May AlsoRead More

Electronic and eclectic, Exegesis represents one of the latest attempts to marry technology to the spirit of jazz. You May Also Like: Evil Genius – Experiments On Human Subjects (2018)

Saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin, a three-time Grammy winner, traverses a fine line on Live!, a record that feels both timeless and fresh. The beauty is that he and his Mu’Tet don’t stumble into the pitfalls of either concept. You May Also Like: Ivo Perelman, Matthew Shipp + Jeff CosgroveRead More

Bassist Matt Geraghty found the perfect name for his new contemporary jazz release, since Departure moves so very far outside of the expectations for labels like “contemporary jazz.” You May Also Like: Pre-Fame Bob Dylan Struck a Rebel’s Pose, But Not Woody Guthrie’s Avishai Cohen’s Melodic, Masterful Gently Disturbed WasRead More

Find out how a late-night movie in an Oslo hotel room sparked one of Bill Frisell’s more interesting cover tunes.

Bill Frisell discusses his John Lennon tribute project, notable career moments – and how to craft a signature sound out of what you can’t do.

You might read the artist name and album title and think this is a record of Italian music but, no, not exactly. 5AFTER4 is a rock-jazz outfit out of Toronto You May Also Like: Porterfield – ‘Rome’ (2021) Dark Monarchy, “Drain the Sea” from ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ (2021):Read More

The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is a band that’s clearly relishes keeping people guessing — down to the fictional person in the band name You May Also Like: Chris Combs – Combsy (2017) Guy Davis – ‘Be Ready When I Call You’ (2021)

From the first, it seems, guitarist Bill Frisell has sought to synthesize jazz with country and folk themes, and that impulse works to tremendous effect on this deft remake of John Lennon’s “#9 Dream,” from a forthcoming tribute recording You May Also Like: Bill Frisell – Music IS (2018) BillRead More

Here’s a look back at the Top 10 stories from last month on SomethingElseReviews.com, based on page views from our readers. Click through the titles for complete details … No. 10 — ONE TRACK MIND: ALEX MACHACEK, ‘VERY SAD’: Alex Machacek, whose thrilling pyrotechnic brilliance we’ve already raved about, peelsRead More