The human brain is incredibly powerful. It controls every function of our bodies, allows us to reason, and permits us to both create and appreciate art. To do so, it uses 100 billion neurons, each of which fires around 200 times every second. Given its necessary complexity, it should come as no surprise how frequently the organ malfunctions. According to the US Center for … [Read more...]
Brian Kiwanuka’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019
Tuesday we unveiled Nextbop's Best Jazz Albums of 2019, which was compiled by our staff as a whole. Yesterday, we published Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dean-Harris' Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Today, we continue our Season of Lists with Staff Writer Brian Kiwanuka's Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019.10. Brandee Younger - Soul Awakening (Self Release) The harp is a spellbinding … [Read more...]
Harpist Brandee Younger’s Latest Album ‘Soul Awakening’ Reviewed
Although Soul Awakening officially carries a 2019 release date, it was finished much earlier. Having been recorded in 2012 and completed in 2013, Harpist Brandee Younger's fourth album as a leader has been sitting in the vaults for some time. With the high quality on display here, the first thing many listeners will be wondering throughout the opening track ("Soulris") is how … [Read more...]
Makaya McCraven – ‘Universal Beings’ (Album Review)
We've been here before, in awe of the drumming, bandleading, and exploration of Makaya McCraven. His last full-length album, In the Moment was a well-curated collection of sounds that emerged instantaneously from a multitude of configurations at the top of their game and the illustration of a Chicago scene that is building more and more love. Many of McCraven's releases are … [Read more...]
REVIVE Music Debuts New Independent Label Division with the Release of Freelance’s ‘Yes Today’ (Video)
We’ve always been huge fans of REVIVE Music, the ever-evolving multi-faceted operation spearheaded by fellow jazz fanatic and founder Meghan Stabile. We greatly admire their entrepreneurial spirit and their passion for the music, which they incessantly preach to anyone who will take the time to listen. REVIVE runs an online publication similar to ours, but also organizes and p … [Read more...]