Tag Archives: Contemporary Jazz

Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Avant garde spiritual jazz

Moods

A spiritual album defined by interplay and pause

Thoughts

chilled out beautiful soulful jazz, hip, I guess you could call this spiritual jazz. I like the use of percussion and keys, it's almost just like traces of just random lines that dissolve into nothing. An avant garde tactic but here it's employed well. Flute is really difficult for me to get right but he nails it, stretching notes into texture.

Some of it gets too avant and free for my tastes like on Mappo and excursion, creates a stirring presence that in my opinion detracts from the spiritual that's on the title track and ensenada ( the latter being the real standout on the album).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bennie-Maupin-The-Jewel-In-The-Lotus/release/13642739

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U69QwzAhz4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG1LcUuxp5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgwLP5jcjjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW_t-kgs9pw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A78fDGSj5w

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Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

Description: Album Review of Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Mansur Brown – Shiroi

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

jazz with an electro hip hop vibe

Moods

Hip future jazz for sad night owls

Thoughts

Nocturnal record overall. There's a certain sadness in Brown's guitar playing. On the title track it can be haunting, letting notes ring out into forever; kind of like a technically proficient version of the XX. Other tracks, 'God willing' and 'me up', pick up quicker with an 808 like rhythm. The sound is defined by the bass players prominence in the mix, gives the album a funky urban thump.

It's a great style but as an LP it gets monotonous. I think with some songwriting focus and additional instrumentation this could go from good to great.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mansur-Brown-Shiroi/release/12800537

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHIrqYdacI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOB6Wk22zG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KNlanLKXWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kxvVtHEe-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvvCtys708

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Mansur Brown – Shiroi

Description: Album Review of Mansur Brown – Shiroi


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Various – Brainfeeder X

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Modern alternative electro with a strong influence of hip hop and jazz.

Moods

An exploratory dive into the wonderful brainfeeder

Thoughts

It's incredible to hear what brainfeeder has become. In my mind I continue to associate  the label (incorrectly) as a 1 trick pony built around flying lotus' wompy LA g-funk. The label is so much more and the brainfeeder roster has expanded on this in directions I wasn't aware of: alt hip hop, chilled out funk, ambient, glitchy house, live jazz.. it's all there and more.

I won't spend too much time getting into the album as sound vary but it's all quality. The first half is devoted to the past, whereas the second half is forward looking with unreleased tracks. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with an exceptional label.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Brainfeeder-X/release/12899152

Listen!

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Various – Brainfeeder X

Description: Album Review of Various – Brainfeeder X


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Nels Cline Singers – Macroscope

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

modern jazz with rock and free jazz ethos

Moods

Accessible experimental jazz for guitar shredders

Thoughts

Lots of guitar here. Earlier tracks are loaded with face-melting jazz guitar solos, with Cline coming out swinging; enlivened by percussive pushes. Middle tracks like 'red before orange' showcase his sweet tone.

Later tracks break away from structure, becoming more textural with bits of percussion and electronics. Really like the track 'seven zed heaven' which starts off with a swinging thing that turns into a tension building piece (Cyro's on this! Awesome weird percussive textures for this not familiar (see Hairy Mother intro).

Great album that rewards repeat listens.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Nels-Cline-Singers-Macroscope/release/5631195

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoVY6M8fTXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQCQbso-dY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk6zST2nM0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZXAIbKNA0o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF2PaUA79ao

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The Nels Cline Singers – Macroscope

Description: Album Review of The Nels Cline Singers – Macroscope


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

modern classic quartet with rock and jazz songwriting structures

Moods

Modern beauty

Thoughts

A true hybrid of genres incorporating everything from rock and electronic to jazz and classical. I'd say you're most familiar approaching this as a jazz album with classical influences. It's difficult for musicians to get that type of combination right but they pull it off in a patient way with effective touches of electronics and overall 'pretty' and 'contemplative' moments. It's richness would lend well to a live setting an I'd be really interested in seeing these guys live. 'Laker Boo' shifts out of the patient structure into something more aggressive and forward.

I like the ideas here but I'm not sure how much I'll revisit this album. I'm curious to see how they evolve, they have the potential for something truly great.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Portico-Quartet-Portico-Quartet/release/3455552

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNXM-114WU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQH0GPL33uc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVLveOhrvG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnxZEwoMA_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhoZqMVFRAs

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Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet

Description: Album Review of Portico Quartet – Portico Quartet


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Modern atmospheric jazz rock with electronic textures

Moods

Live at pompeii for spiritual robots

Thoughts

A modern spiritual jazz-rock record. Effective  use of synths modernizes things and adds an interesting texture. Perhaps the only true rock element is the percussion which feels like it keeps things moving forward in rock fashion.  Couple of highlights:

Fall into water- spacey and patient.

High szun maybe a bit more rock oriented. Certain tension is maintained with a noisy keyboard layer. Works while patient solos build around it.

Quite enjoyed this release.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Szun-Waves-New-Hymn-To-Freedom/release/12494167

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAO60apkxEo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNEmFHrdNdA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdaHQESTu4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12-Qn4g72Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txraa21q8FQ

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Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom

Description: Album Review of Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Light guitar driven jazz

Moods

Wedding cocktail reception

Thoughts

A bunch of covers done in this kinda corny, guitar driven light jazz; overly dramatic string arrangements don't really help things much.

As much as I don't like this record I do include these tracks in mixes when entertaining. Easily recognizable melodies in this 'soft’ format serve well as background music.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Wes-Montgomery-A-Day-In-The-Life/release/10040768

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjHiSePn1ts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86oaCxW2daU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0KZk2Ojxn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyarNALJFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vp4O3fOLy8

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Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life

Description: Album Review of Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Vels Trio – Yellow Ochre

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Funky modern jazz trio with rock chops

Moods
Couldn’t get into Snarkypuppy so I saw the vels trio instead

Thoughts
Damn this is a tight group. Add vels trio onto the list of recent good modern jazz releases. Has just the right amount of funky keys and rock chops to keep the songwriting engaging.

This feels like a great release to get a friend into jazz as it’s got enough groove for anyone to hook into.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Vels-Trio-Yellow-Ochre-/release/10484847

Listen!

Youtube





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Vels Trio – Yellow Ochre

Description: Album Review of Vels Trio – Yellow Ochre


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Kamasi Washington – Harmony Of Difference

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
A contemporary and melodic take on a big jazz band

Moods
Classy evening at Zinc bar

Thoughts
A lovely ep with great playing by Kamasi and his band. Compared to other Kamasi releases songs are more chilled out and run shorter. I appreciate the flow with songs merging into each other.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Kamasi-Washington-Harmony-Of-Difference/release/10756796

Listen!

Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtW1S5EbHgU


Spotify

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Kamasi Washington – Harmony Of Difference

Description: Album Review of Kamasi Washington – Harmony Of Difference


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Antonio Sanchez – New Life

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?
I’ll call this adult contemporary jazz. Modern melodic playing, at times building with rock-like structures

Moods
Pensive autumn walk

Thoughts
A lot to like here: top notch songwriting that builds effectively, each piece works as a standalone single.
Playing is great. Not usually a fan of Alto-sax players but I like him here.

Aspects of this border on corny. “New life”, for instance, has this new age scatting that I found distracting.

Overall great playing and writing makes this an album I’ve enjoyed coming back to over the past few years.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Antonio-Sanchez-New-Life/release/4490046

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxQyUU4B_IE

Spotify

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Antonio Sanchez – New Life

Description: Album Review of Antonio Sanchez – New Life


Rating: 4 out of 5