James Brandon Lewis – An Unruly Manifesto (2019)

Personnel: James Brandon Lewis, tenor saxophone; Jaimie Branch, trumpet; Luke Stewart, bass; Warren Trae Crudup III, drums; Anthony Pirog, guitar.

“James Brandon Lewis has been climbing the current jazz pantheon for a good while now. This deserving project should elevate the 36-year old tenor saxophonist from Buffalo even higher in the ranks.
Backed by the usual collaborators in his touring trio (drummer Warren Trae Crudup III, bassist Luke Stewart) and a pair of familiar guests, Lewis has crafted another fine testimony to his dynamic skill and progressive vision.
An abbreviated cascade of cymbals preludes the opening designation as guitarist Anthony Pirog weaves subtle, hypnotic chords while Jaimie Branch’s trumpet constructs a solid brass foundation for Lewis’ initial solo.
Some sequences may cryptically conjure the layered, Coltrane-like crescendos Kamasi Washington seized on during his breakthrough a few years back. However, it doesn’t take much listening to understand that this epic is Lewis’ exclusive domain, and that a mainstream breakthrough of his own is also warranted.” All About Jazz

Advertisement

Deer Tick – Too Sensitive for This World (2019)

“Deer Tick release a new compilation album entitled ‘Mayonnaise’ – an 11-song companion piece to last year’s full-length albums ‘Deer Tick Vol. 1’ and ‘Deer Tick Vol. 2.’ and contains two bonus tracks (available on the bonus vinyl 7″ inside the LP sleeve)

The band explains: “On ‘Mayonnaise,’ you’ll find alternate versions of songs from ‘Vol. 1’ & ‘Vol. 2’ that we feel have their own merit and wanted to share. We also decided to record some of the cover songs that ‘Vol. 1’ & ‘Vol. 2’ inspired us to play on our Twice Is Nice Tour. We had such a good time playing these covers live that it felt appropriate to document them here. And, lastly, if we are going into the studio, why not write a few new songs, record them, and give the fans something new to round everything out? So, here you go, this is ‘Mayonnaise.’”Source

Leyla McCalla – Money Is King (2019)

“McCalla also grasps the potential for lively music to carry comment, critique and lament. In the title track — in which she takes a wry, salty, horn-accented turn as a cabaret blues diva — she voices impatience with the myth of upward mobility. “You keep telling me to climb this ladder,” she protests wearily. “I’ve got to pay my dues / But as I rise, the stakes get higher.” In “Money Is King,” drawn from the catalog of Trinidadian musician Neville Marcano, she aims breezily rhythmic, plainspoken wit at the corrupting power of wealth.”

Mattiel – Bye Bye (2018)

“I’m not sure at what point ‘Tarantino’ turned from a famed director into a genre of music, but here we are in 2018 with a record that can comfortably be described as peak Tarantino. ‘Mattiel’ is a familiar cocktail of dusty horns, dustbowl blues and Dusty Springfield-style ’60s pop that almost screams out for accompanying widescreen vista or Mexican standoff. There’s even the odd production choice of ending songs while they’re in the process of fading out, as if to cut to the next scene.” Source

Minami Deutsch – Tunnel (2018)


“Minami Deutsch is back at it again with their latest LP “With Dim Light”. Whilst softening their sound and cushioning the blow, you can expect a more profound diversity in their sound, whilst retaining the principle ingredients that make Minami Deutsch so great such as their signature fuzz, thumping bass and dream like vocals. There is a heavier experimentation in regards to genre exploration. With hints of post punk and nods to late 60s psychedelic rock, this shows that Minami Deutsch is willing to push musical boundaries further whilst retaining a clever songwriting ability to achieve this album.” Bandcamp

Cecil Taylor – Bemsha Swing (1956)

“Cecil Taylor: Pianist, poet, free jazz pioneer — died 4/5/18 in his home.
A truly distinctive voice on piano, Cecil Taylor was a free jazz composer, performer, and improvisationist whose approach to the instrument often had people likening his style to playing a set of “88 tuned drums.” Starting his solo career in the ’50s, Taylor’s unconventional approach often had him swimming upstream as he waited for music critics and listeners to catch up to the sounds he was making. His career hit a groove in the ’70s, which included a performance in Jimmy Carter’s White House, and Taylor released an impressive number of albums over a career that stretched from 1956 to 2010.” Source

Herman Dune – Life On The Run (2018)

“New Album SANTA CRUZ GOLD, out Dec 2nd (Hanukkah, Night#1)
Directed by Mayon Hanania
Edited by David Ivar
Art Direction by Mayon Entirely shot using the Instagram Story App
Written by David Ivar
Guitar & Voice, Drums, Electric Bass by David Ivar
Pedal Steel Guitar by Spencer Cullum Jr (Steelism)
Saxophone by Jon Natchez
Harmony by Mayon
Produced & Recorded by David Ivar at Santa Cruz Studios in San Pedro, California
Mixed by Adam Selzer at Type Foundry in Portland, OR
Mastered by David Ivar at SCR
Cover artwork by David Ivar
ⓒYaya Tova 2018 ℗Santa Cruz Records 2018
Thanks to David Berman for Moral and Lyrical support
Features art by Adam Green, Amalia Angulo Alvarez, Matt Gordon, Scott Pollock, Scott Aicher, Steve Keene, Mayon Hanania and Yaya Herman Dune”