Steve Smith, Time Flies Review Drummer Steve Smith, a former member of the iconic rock band Journey and an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has led his jazz group, Vital Information, since 1983. This year marks their 40th anniversary, celebrated with the release of their new album Time Flies. The album … Read more
Buster Williams, Unalome Review Unalome: The Spiral Path of Buster Williams’ Enlightenment In the pantheon of jazz, a mélange of titans, dreamers, and artists exists. Amongst them strides a colossus—Buster Williams— who, in his latest offering, Unalome, crafts an astral journey towards enlightenment, a path tread with soulful harmonies and transcendental melodies. Drawing from the sacred … Read more
Jared Sims, Hellbender: The Resistance Review Jazz, Rock, and Beyond: A Daring Odyssey in Jared Sims’ Hellbender: The Resistance Alright, jazz voyagers! Hold on to your fedoras and berets because we’re diving deep into the sonic vortex of Jared Sims’ latest creation, Hellbender: The Resistance. I hope you’ve got your jazz hands ready because this is … Read more
Orrin Evans, The Red Door Review Orrin Evans’ latest offering, The Red Door, is a journey through jazz, reverberating with echoes of the past while ushering in an innovative era of this beloved genre. Released under the aegis of Smoke Sessions Records, the album is a set of Evans’ original compositions sprinkled with interesting arrangements that … Read more
Yukimi & Harvie S, New York Memories Review New York Memories, the sophomore collaboration between Yukimi Maeda and Harvie S, is a journey through a dining set of jazz. Spanning Great American Songbook standards, jazz classics, and original compositions, the duo traverses this diverse repertoire with a unique touch, creating a charming experience that captures … Read more
Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke, Lean In Review Lean In, GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke invite listeners into the immersive sonic world of their 20-year musical journey. Embroidered with the seamless synergy of two deeply connected artistic souls, the album weaves a dual narrative of inherent connectedness and creative spontaneity. Exploring territories … Read more
Jeff Richman, XYZ Review Attention fusion aficionados! Jeff Richman, a fusion guitarist, composer, and producer whose impressive career has spanned nearly five decades, is releasing his latest offering, XYZ. Throughout his eighteenth album as a leader, Richman unites with various all-star ensembles, skillfully pushing the boundaries of fusion while maintaining his signature sound. The incredible list … Read more
David Liebman, The Elements: Water Review David Liebman is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and author releasing a series of albums inspired by the four elements. The first installment is titled, The Elements: Water. Liebman composed and created the project with his three bandmates in mind, 20-time GRAMMY-Award winner Pat Metheny on guitar, Cecil McBee on bass, … Read more
Marilyn Scott, The Landscape Review Marilyn Scott is a contemporary jazz vocalist and composer that has released her thirteenth album as a leader titled The Landscape via Blue Canoe Records. The GRAMMY-nominated singer expands, “The Landscape project grew out of listening to myself and others with life’s frustrations and concerns. One of the only outlets I know of … Read more
Tord Gustavsen Trio, Opening Review Tord Gustavsen Trio has released their ECM Records album Opening. The trio presents a set of Gustavsen originals along with Scandinavian folk melodies. The lineup is Gustavsen on piano, drummer Jarle Vespestad, and for the first time on a Gustavsen album, bassist Steinar Raknes. The album has a definite ECM aesthetic as … Read more