Wednesday, May 2 2012
Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks Take a Class
Copeland and Brooks infected my classroom with the ‘existential freedom’ that allows each person to stare into the darkness, yet somehow and someway, find the words, the voice, and the courage to sing a sweet song. That is, they gave us all the blues.
Thursday, February 2 2012
Noah and the Megafauna Release Video for “Liquid Modernity”
Put on your old time dancing shoes. Noah and the Megafauna host an apocalyptic hoedown in this new video for “Liquid Modernity (You Can Never Go Home)”. This gypsy jazz collective comes well prepared to host the last dance as the ship goes down.
Wednesday, December 7 2011
Stanley Jordan: Friends
2008's State of Nature was no fluke – Stanley Jordan is back in business, full swing.
Monday, November 21 2011
Kashmere Stage Band: Texas Thunder Soul: 1968-1974 Deluxe Edition
The only high school band that mattered.
Friday, November 18 2011
James Brown: The Singles Volume 11: 1979-1981
If you're looking for the Godfather singing disco, country, and a jawdropping 11-minute ode to cakes, this is the comp for you.
Tuesday, November 15 2011
David S. Ware: Organica (Solo Saxophones, Volume 2)
He may be 61, and he may have a new kidney, but David S. Ware continues to run over people's expectations with every new project.
Mutemath: Odd Soul
Odd Soul is a well-executed record, but it's too indebted to its overt influences to stand alone as a solid album.
Thursday, November 10 2011
Kool and Together: Original Recordings 1970-77
Despite what its song titles claim, Original Recordings is far from the best way to Get Your Feet Off the Ground or Blow It Out Your Mind.
Monday, November 7 2011
Greg Ward: Greg Ward’s Phonic Juggernaut
Still early in his career, saxophonist Greg Ward has cranked out a fully realized sophomore album.
Thursday, November 3 2011
‘Maxwell Street Blues’ Is a Toe-Tapping Time Capsule
Viewing Maxwell Street Blues paradoxically stirs simultaneous emotions of melancholy and elation. Much like what happens when singing the blues.
