Despite it releasing last year, I have yet to move past the brilliance of keyboardist Javier Santiago's album, Phoenix, a release of fusion fantasticness that's just perfect for this era. Even the way the album starts off, with the swirling, building, earth-moving tune "River Song" with vocalist J. Hoard creeping in bit by bit to make this a real singalong, it's just all too … [Read more...]
Anthony Dean-Harris’ Favorite Jazz Albums of 2018
As one of our most exciting times of year (which we refer to as the Season of Lists), the Nextbop staff relishes the end of the year to declare our favorite releases from the last twelve months, noting a moment in time and reminding folks (out there reading and amongst ourselves in the staff) of what great music was out there and maybe to catch up on what you may have missed, … [Read more...]
Watch the Video for “Pheonix”, the Title Track off Javier Santiago’s New Album
I have extremely glowing praise for keyboardist Javier Santiago's album, Phoenix (which I'm feeling confident that it's one of my favorite albums of the year). So it brings me joy to continue to hype this modern fusion fantasy with Santiago's video of the live recording for the title track at Berkeley's Fantasy Studios. It's a total dream of a song that goes for miles. Check it … [Read more...]
Javier Santiago – ‘Phoenix’
The ease with which one can cling to keyboardist Javier Santiago is very reminiscent, oddly enough, of the better corners of smooth jazz. Santiago as a leader melds the best elements of jazz, R&B, and soul in very contemporary senses while maintaining an accessibility that can please many. This is an album that celebrates nature, so why would a human connection to tones not be … [Read more...]