Ez Pour Spout: Don’t Shave the Feeling
The influence of John Zorn and of self-satirizing rock groups such as Cake come through in this set of instrumental covers of fairly pedestrian pop … Read More “Ez Pour Spout: Don’t Shave the Feeling”
Greg Robinson
Paul Bley: Basics
Seasoned solo pianist Paul Bley presents a program of 10 original compositions and one standard, Thelonious’ “Monk’s Mood.” Each note rings with calm authority, the … Read More “Paul Bley: Basics”
Elliott Levin/Tyrone Hill Quartet: A Fine Intensity
Both Soul-Etude and A Fine Intensity come from an exhaustive two-day recording session held in the spring of 1999. With bassist Howard Cooper and drummer … Read More “Elliott Levin/Tyrone Hill Quartet: A Fine Intensity”
Lou Donaldson Quartet: Relaxing at Sea: Live on the QE2
Forget about the casual atmosphere and rampant stage patter; this is an excellent album strictly on musical terms. Donaldson’s longtime organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith, has … Read More “Lou Donaldson Quartet: Relaxing at Sea: Live on the QE2”
Matt Wilson: Utility Player
Drummer Matt Wilson’s musical sensibility lies somewhere between the country and the city, the sublime and the superfluous, the avant-garde and the mainstream. Since he … Read More “Matt Wilson: Utility Player”
David Berkman: Communication Theory
Although the disc begins somewhat jarringly, with the angular “Blues for Bluto,” played in two keys at once, it turns out to be a fine … Read More “David Berkman: Communication Theory”
Max Roach Remembers Tony Williams
The recent, unexpected death of master drummer Anthony Williams came as a terrible shock to his family, friends, and music lovers everywhere. On Thursday, February … Read More “Max Roach Remembers Tony Williams”
Lee Konitz: On His Own Terms
Great jazz can be like a flurry of snowflakes. No two solos, or phrases, are alike, and the subtlest inflections attached to each note are … Read More “Lee Konitz: On His Own Terms”