Normalology contains unrecorded music sopranoist Phillip Johnston composed in the ’80s for the Microscopic Septet. You may recall that band’s combination of good musical taste, … Read More “Phillip Johnston: Normalology”
Trumpeter Rob Blakeslee leads his Oregon-based band through a series of labyrinthine excursions on Last Minute Gifts. Rooted in freer forms of early ’60s jazz, … Read More “Rob Blakeslee Quartet: Last Minute Gifts”
Tag debuts pianist Yuko Fujiyama, accompanied by cellist Tomas Ulrich and violinist Mark Feldman. Several pieces appear at least partly to have been scored and, … Read More “Yuko Fujiyama String Ensemble: Tag”
On Throptics ESP Disk alumnus Greene stretches into the tongue-in-cheek: his craggy performance of “Mississippi Clarence” has two-fisted humor. “Tilo Akandita Brikama” is for Johnny … Read More “Burton Greene Trio: Throptics”
Lou Grassi performs the collectivist drummer’s dynamics and polyrhythms on Atmospheels, exploiting an energy school occasion with trombonist Swell’s trio that includes reedist Will Connell, … Read More “Steve Swell Trio: Atmospheels”
For Tight, producer Bob Porter and Hank Crawford decided on the expanded background offered by two trumpets, tenor and baritone. The relaxed settings for Crawford’s … Read More “Hank Crawford: Tight”