We continue our Season of Lists with newly-minted Staff Writer Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Also have a look at Nextbop's Best Jazz Albums of 2019, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dean-Harris' Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019, and Staff Writer Brian Kiwanuka’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from 2019 is the number of artists adapting … [Read more...]
Linda May Han Oh – ‘Aventurine’ (Album Review)
Every time bassist Linda May Han Oh releases an album, it's always filled to the brim with beat and soul. Her compositions have the complex ideas one would expect of contemporary jazz, but there's always a sensibility that this is music it had to reach the audience, it has to make the toes tap. She never loses sight of how to reach people with all she has to say. It's this … [Read more...]
Linda May Han Oh – “Aventurine” (Stream)
Every time bassist Linda May Han Oh releases an album, we tend to fall head over heels in love with her work anew. From 2012's Initial Here to 2013's Sun Pictures to 2017's Walk Against Wind, she never makes a misstep, always making music with an intuitive sense of rhythm that can make even the most complex ideas into absolute bangers. For her new album, Aventurine, out May … [Read more...]
Brian Krock- ‘Liddle’ (Album Review)
Brian Krock is a guy who has in very short order shown that he knows what he's doing. His first album with his large ensemble, Big Heart Machine already showed quite exquisitely that he can arrange many players to communicate a panoply of ideas well. However, with his smaller sextet, Liddle is further able to let these musicians' voices resound. Krock himself can stand out more … [Read more...]
Caroline Davis – “Wingbeat” (Video)
Saxophonist Caroline Davis (whose Heart Tonic definitely wowed us last year) is keeping things moving in fascinating, adventurous directions with her new album,Alula, out May 10th on New Amsterdam Records'. Davis is taking on electronic influences and bringing along Matt Mitchell in tow on synthesizers (and interesting change from his work on piano) and drummer Greg Saunier to … [Read more...]