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Michael KabranAbout Michael KabranMichael Kabran's work has appeared in Washington City Paper, JazzTimes, Harp, The Gazette of Politics and Business, and NPR's Next Generation Radio. As a musician and songwriter, he has performed with numerous jazz, hip-hop, classical, rock, pop, and experimental music groups, including the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and the seminal go-go/punk/comedy band Medicine for the Public. He has also engaged in a number of comical, short-lived, and somehow-always-humbling avocations, including door-to-door marketing, the selling of men’s undergarments, the teaching of ye olde English, and the writing of a gardening advice column with no prior gardening knowledge. Listen to his beats and get a laugh at [url=http://www.myspace.com/leptone]http://www.myspace.com/leptone[/url]. Reviews
Mayer Hawthorne: A Strange ArrangementIt's that classic biblical tale: little known DJ from suburban Michigan takes on soul god from Motown. And the winner is... [4 November 2009] 
Hemispheres: CrossroadsThe fusion of jazz and world music may be far from a new phenomenon, but percussionist Ian Dogole's group Hemispheres makes it seem as exciting as ever. [21 October 2009] 
Greg Wall’s Later Prophets: Ha’OrotSaxophonist Greg Wall sails Tzadik's Radical Jewish Culture series into more pious waters. [6 October 2009] 
Brian Groder and Burton Greene: Groder & GreeneFree jazz veterans Burton Greene and Brian Groder offer an intriguing set of improvised music. [4 October 2009] 
Tim Sparks: Little PrincessSparks' elegant fingerstyle jazz-guitar playing is more evocative of Charlie Byrd than "the king of the Klezmer clarinet". [1 October 2009] 
Mark Buselli: An Old SoulTrumpeter, composer, and arranger Mark Buselli leads a talented big band through a set of enjoyable classics and original compositions. [24 September 2009] 
Mark Knopfler: Get LuckyThe former Dire Straits guitar god continues to expand his sound, with an enjoyable, mellow collection of ballads, blues shuffles, and Celtic folk songs. [22 September 2009] 
BLK JKS: After RobotsVowels or no vowels, this arty post-punk band from South Africa rocks with an intelligence and sensitivity sorely missing in pop music today. [4 September 2009] 
Mew: No more stories…The band that brought you the worst album cover in rock brings you the worst album title in rock. Fortunately, it's a damn fine album. [2 September 2009] 
Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise: Out of the WildernessA career-summarizing work offering more proof that Robert Bradley is one of the best living soul singer-songwriters you've probably never heard of. [22 July 2009] 
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International: Odo SanbraBrain or no brain, you'll find this stew of rock, jazz, and traditional African music a tasty, fun, and very danceable treat. [12 July 2009] 
Oran Etkin: KeleniaThe Israeli-born reed player sails his debut vessel into the growing sea of recordings that mix jazz with traditional African music. It's more enjoyable than a funny boat metaphor. [8 July 2009] 
Jeremy Enigk: OK BearThe former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman becomes a little less rough around the edges on his latest solo effort, a slow-boiling collection of arty, intelligent post-emo rock filled with spiritual imagery. [24 June 2009] 
Zap Mama: ReCreationThe Belgian a cappella pop group completes its transformation from world beat pioneer to soft pop clone. [15 June 2009] 
Staff Benda Bilili: Tres Tres FortThe story behind the music is pretty compelling, but the music behind the story might be even more compelling. [5 June 2009] 
El Michels Affair: Enter the 37th ChamberInstrumental covers of Wu-Tang Clan classics: brilliantly postmodern in theory, staid and loungy in practice. [21 May 2009] 
The Sweet Vandals: Love LiteThe Madrid-based soul band proves a stellar cover band. Unfortunately, they do this on an album composed entirely of original songs. [17 May 2009] 
It Hugs Back: Inside Your GuitarIf ever there was ever a band that belonged on the legendary British record label 4AD, this is it. Now, remove any sharp objects within reach before listening. [30 April 2009] 
Richard Swift: The Atlantic OceanFresh off a sojourn to Detroit circa 1960, the Swift-E-3000 Temporal-Aural Displacement Device (TADD) lands firmly in the 1970s. [13 April 2009] 
Guy Davis: Sweetheart Like YouThe critically-acclaimed bluesman/actor shows why he might just be the voice of a nation. [26 March 2009] 
Peter Doherty: Grace/WastelandThe oft-publicized Babyshambles frontman channels everyone from Randy Newman to Jeff Buckley to the Libertines on his self-titled solo debut. It's new and different but not all that alien sounding. [25 March 2009] 
Wild Light: Adult NightsFrom the state that birthed Mandy Moore and Ronnie James Dio comes a band that’s surprisingly fit to rule indie pop -- of all genres -- at least for a little while. [6 March 2009] 
K’naan: TroubadourThe Somalian-born poet/rapper/singer gives free reign to his roots on an enjoyable, high-energy album that is as much about partying as it is about Africa. [5 March 2009] 
David Lang: PiercedDavid Lang deftly channels Ornette Coleman, the Bug, and Lou Reed to provide even more proof that he is the future of experimental music. [17 February 2009] 
Mario Pavone Double Tenor Quintet: AncestorsFor better or worse, the veteran jazz bassist shows us yet again why he and Dave Holland have so much in common. [4 February 2009] 
Joshua Redman: CompassThe acclaimed tenor saxophonist looks to add a little direction to his experimental searching and gets some positively "mixed" results. [3 February 2009] 
ScholarMan: Gameshift: The MovementThe DIY rapper/producer from Maryland aims for a more sophisticated sound but only occasionally succeeds. [22 January 2009] 
Adam Birnbaum: TravelsThe gifted, young jazz pianist and Greg Osby sideman uses way too many notes to express very little. [13 January 2009] 
Peter Delano: For DeweyPeter Delano is back after a decade-long hiatus, reminding us what a young jazz pianist should sound like. Though, not surprisingly, Dewey Redman is the highlight here. [12 January 2009] 
Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers: Inside TracksExcellent guitar solos aren’t enough to overcome bland production on this forgettable effort by the guitarist from the legendary blues band the Nighthawks. [19 December 2008] 
Femi Kuti : Day by DayThe son of Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti takes a step closer to musical prophet status with his long-awaited first album in seven years. [10 December 2008] 
Erik Friedlander, Mike Sarin, Trevor Dunn: Broken Arm TrioCellist Erik Friedlander combines a dash of Oscar with a pinch of Herbie and somehow manages to produce a whole lotta Django. [9 December 2008] 
Bryn Christopher : The Quest EPInterscope’s latest neo-soul entry does little to separate itself from its peers. [7 December 2008] 
Harvie S with Kenny Barron: Now Was the TimeAn album by consummate jazz musicians for consummate jazz fans. [18 November 2008] 
Blue Sky Black Death: Jean Grae: The Evil JeaniusAre the songs as hot as the controversy surrounding the first Jean Grae collaboration with Blue Sky Black Death? Yes. And no. [17 November 2008] BlogsSound Affects: Tzadik: Making Me Invent Words Like “Jewtino” [24 June 2009]Sound Affects: CunninLynguists, Alliteration, and a Strange Journey [15 April 2009]Sound Affects: Screaming at Chris Cornell and His Critics [12 March 2009]Sound Affects: Man, am I old (or the day new age music got game) [12 February 2009] |
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