Matthew Shipp, Mat Maneri – ‘Conference of the Mat/ts’ (2018)
A quarter century of musical association between Matthew Shipp and Mat Maneri continues with ‘Conference of the Mat/ts.’

A quarter century of musical association between Matthew Shipp and Mat Maneri continues with ‘Conference of the Mat/ts.’
“Goin’ Home,” a driving, anthemic track, was once deemed not good enough by Toto’s record company. What do they know?

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

It seems Ramsey Lewis can make anything listenable, even transcendent.
Right on the heels of “This Is My Building” comes another candidate for inclusion in Walter Becker’s ‘Circus Money’ that somehow didn’t survive the primaries.
Jason Scheff offers a stand-out performance on Chicago’s rendition of one of the world’s most beloved carols.
Ringo Starr may have been the only member of the Beatles to appear on “Good Night,” but it was very much a group effort.

The ample leftovers from Walter Becker’s ‘Circus Money’ sessions continue to be pulled out of the fridge, warmed in the microwave and set on the table for feasting.

As an old school guy who thrives in the outer reaches of jazz, Andrew Lamb leads another formidable trio date ‘Casbah of Love’ with a lot of both head and heart.
“A good audience can really lift a player to great heights,” Ginger Baker says, “almost like they are playing the musician.”