Far too often when people succeed in their field, it becomes far too easy for them to cling to that which brought them acclaim. The best artists, however, are always looking for ways to better express themselves and explore new ideas. Now in the fifth decade of his professional career, bass legend Bootsy Collins has […]
Here’s a tip for whoever is reading at the Richmond, Virginia Chamber of Commerce: when you produce your next showcase commercial, make sure that Butcher Brown does the soundtrack. Better yet, license “For the City,” the penultimate track on the band’s newly released #KingButch (Concord Jazz, 2020). The song’s hook is, “We’re known for the […]
In the field of astrodynamics, azimuth is essentially a way of navigating based on an established location, usually true North. Even its etymology suggests use in voyaging as it was derived from the Arabic term as-sumūt, roughly translated into “the directions.” It is an excellent descriptor for a trio that has been spanning outward from […]
Blue Note has a more important discography than almost any label in the history of jazz, encompassing decades of some of the most significant music ever recorded within the idiom. For more than 80 years, the label has produced legendary recordings. It has not rested on its laurels in the modern era, continuing to release […]
One effective way to find new artists and music is through their works with others. A great example of this is Josh Johnson. While generally lacking the name recognition of some of his peers, the saxophonist has been at the forefront of some of the finest recordings to emerge over recent history, often those exploring […]
With a first track as striking as “Radiance In Veils”, one immediately gets the sense that Cat Toren’s Human Kind’s Scintillating Beauty (Panoramic Recordings, 2020) is an album that will live up to its name. The tune is an epic Cat Toren original that moves from serenity to overwhelming force – in one instance in […]
Artists often produce some of their best work when given increased freedom over the creative process. In so doing, their other sonic influences frequently seep into their output, generating something which is not just truer to its craftsman but also expressive of a fuller range of ideas. With fewer confines placed on them by record […]
It’s 1941, the world is up in flames, fascism has a chokehold, racism and imperialism are the fundaments of effective governance. Where does that leave artists? What is their role in creation during life-threatening and stressful times? Sullivan’s Travels (Paramount, 1941) was movie director Preston Sturges’ response that year: A comedy? A drama? A faux-documentary? […]
As the world seems to descend into increasingly challenging times every day, society needs music more than ever to respond to the events that unfold. Across a broad spectrum from hip-hop to chamber, a series of new releases have provided significant moving, relevant, and pointed commentary. Another excellent new album in this lineage is Resilience […]
It is no secret that 2020 has been a year of landmark change. The music community hangs on as tectonic plates shift beneath our feet and disturbed sediment seeks new settling places. It is fitting then that the music of TILTED (Ropeadope Records, 2020) constitutes both a sideways glance at the tumult and a rebirth […]
