Casting a welcome spotlight on the underexposed Russian jazz scene, star saxophonist Igor Butman reunites with a longtime friend and collaborator, composer/arranger Nick Levinovsky, to … Read More “Igor Butman Big Band: Moscow @ 3 A.M.”
Although released under drummer (and Igor’s brother) Oleg Butman’s name, Passion really documents the ongoing partnership between the ebullient Butman and the equally aggressive Natalia … Read More “Oleg Butman: Passion”
Kristjan Randalu and Bodek Janke are all but unknown to American jazz fans. But the visceral excitement and engrossing interplay captured on this duet CD … Read More “Grupa Janke Randalu: Live”
The turning point in drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts’ latest CD comes about 26 minutes in, right between the powerhouse “Seed of Blakzilla” and the ballad … Read More “Tain & the Ebonix : Folk’s Songs”
Seven years after his premature death, the tirelessly innovative pianist Horace Tapscott remains something of a secret. This long-awaited reissue of a 1981 performance will … Read More “Horace Tapscott: Live at Lobero, Vol. 1”
Remember those old cartoons in which the protagonist, sleeping Rip van Winkle-like into the next century, awakened to find an atomic funhouse world of flying … Read More “Grismore/Scea Group: Well Behaved Fish”
Lonnie Plaxico has never been afraid to mix advanced rhythms and harmonies with R&B. For his 11th album as a leader, the bassist looks back … Read More “Lonnie Plaxico: West Side Stories”