Cliff Hines makes musical soundscapes. His work is layered and textured and never afraid of experimentation. This is certainly clear with his work on the guitar for Christian Scott, Mike Dillon, Brad Walker, and numerous other folks. Lately, he's been branching out with synths and circuits to intriguing effect with his group KLYPH (they've even played Nextbop's Jazz for the … [Read more...]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah – ‘Centennial Trilogy: Diaspora’
Diaspora, the second album of trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Centennial Trilogy of albums he's releasing this year, is softer than its predecessor, Ruler Rebel. It's warmer, more somber, more spacey a collection of songs, as if these songs and the extra time between notes, a less is more approach here, is meant to depict the actual African Diaspora, a dispersal of … [Read more...]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah – ‘Ruler Rebel’
Since time perpetually moves forward, all movement is technically forward movement. Everything is a form of progression. Experience gives texture to signature, though the elements of signature -- those attributes that define the outward expression of persona -- remain fundamentally intact because the everlasting battle of nature versus nurture will always end up in some sort of … [Read more...]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah – ‘Stretch Music (Introducing Elena Pinderhughes)’
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah plays three different horns on his new album, Stretch Music (Introducing Elena Pinderhughes)-- the siren, the sirenette, and the reverse flugelhorn. They're horns by his own design. They are somewhat more difficult to play than the typical trumpet. They are as attuned to his style of play-- crafted, beaten and broken and lovingly bent to make music … [Read more...]