Makaya McCraven’s ‘Universal Beings’ is a handmade mishmash of sounds that isn’t alien, but is never completely familiar, either.

Few are in a better position than Jeff Parker to bring jazz into the 21st century by combining it with 21st century music forms with all the finesse of jazz intact, and he does just that with ‘The New Breed.’

The jazz/hip-hop hybrid ‘In The Moment’ from drummer Makaya McCraven retains the energy and impulsiveness of the live performances within hypnotic looped and sampled grooves.

The drummer who is capable of taking on any role he wants behind his drum set makes his best music when he takes on the role of simply being himself.

Here is the premiere of Chicago drummer/composer Charles Rumback’s title track from his upcoming quintet release ‘In The new Year’.

Here is a review of the Greg Ward/Caleb Willitz experimental Gaps & Space project ‘Synoptic Optiks.’ Once again, Greg Ward finds another way to defy not only expectations but discourage the very notion of setting expectations on him in the first place.

Every song finds a different way to soothe, groove and satisfy the soul. Blades and his badassed organ trio never seem to run out of ideas.

As one of the most in-demand drummers in the world — jazz and otherwise — it can be a little understandable if Brian Blade hadn’t come forth with an album since 2009’s sublime singer-songwriter excursion Mama Rosa. You May Also Like: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band – Body AndRead More

Adrian Belew’s reflections on touring again with a pair of King Crimson bandmates led to some interesting comments on the future of that long-standing Robert Fripp-led amalgam — and a No. 1 vote from you in our monthly poll. March 2012 also saw a swarm of reader interest in jazzRead More

As someone who is a member of the post-rock band Tortoise, the advanced modern jazz of Nicole Mitchell’s combo, a founding member of the Chicago Underground, the Scott Amendola Trio and until his death a couple of years ago, Fred Anderson’s band, I imagined the latest release by Jeff ParkerRead More