King Crimson: King Crimson: Radical Action (To Unseat The Hold of Monkey Mind)

Plenty has already been written about King Crimson's surprise reemergence in 2014 at All About Jazz, beginning when the now 47 year-old progressive/art rock band commenced its first tour since 2008 (and its first extensive one since 2003) with a new, expanded lineup featuring a front-line of three d... [ read more ]

Mariza: Music is My Fado

Listening to Portuguese fado singer Mariza, it's really hard not to be taken away by her passionate singing, charismatic stage presence, and sly sass. Yet, beneath her almost fragile and gentle appearance is a tiger waiting to spring. Ever since she burst onto the world stage 15 years ago, she swept...

Jeremy Cunningham Quartet: re: dawn (from far)

Since he moved to Chicago in 2009, m: Jeremy Cunningham has been a vital addition to the jazz environment and his debut as a leader, re: dawn (from far) , shows an assured musician and composer who effortlessly taps into the great musical tradition of the city. Cunningham has teamed up w... [ read more ]

Ethan Margolis: Perfect Mission of Feeling

Describing guitarist, composer, bandleader, producer and conceptualist m: Ethan Margolis as a citizen of the world barely does him or his music justice. Born and raised in jny: Cleveland (OH), Margolis left the US when he was 21 to study the art of Gypsy flamenco guitar in Spain. He...

: Steel Guitar, Snow and Sunny Beaches: Five New Albums on Losen Records

Odd Gjelsnes' Norwegian label, Losen Records, has been incredibly prolific in recent years, releasing a staggering amount of quality albums. However, with so much music, it is hard to keep up with the pace. Here is an attempt to summarize a little portion of the recent recording activity of the labe... [ read more ]

Duffy King: Acoustically Speaking

On the inner jacket to Acoustically Speaking, m: Duffy King's second CD as a leader, the reader is informed that the Detroit-based maestro plays acoustic and six-string guitars (plural). While that is presumably true (all guitars sound basically alike to some untrained ears), there's no... [ read more ]

Shirley Horn: Shirley Horn Live at the 4 Queens

..." Horn did ballads and cool, understated ruminations better than anyone except her first champion, mentor and lifelong friend, trumpeter Miles Davis. Both were masters of silence and anticipation, but even Davis teased Horn about her pacing. 'You do 'em awful slow!' he once said.'" Richard Harrin... [ read more ]