Melissa Aldana Creates Ideal Latin American Balladry
The overall sensation of Melissa Alada’s Filin is not just beauty but distillation. The songs, even those without sung lyrics, get definitive interpretations.
blue note
Vibes Phenom Joel Ross Dips His Jazz Into Gospel Music
Joel Ross takes his usual pyrotechnics and funnels them into a refined ensemble sound that also channels sincere, powerful jazz with a gospel center.
Julian Lage Teams with John Medeski for Impeccable LP
John Medeski colors each Julian Lage composition to perfection. For all its ease of listening, this album isn’t comfort food as much as a really balanced meal.
Aaron Parks Looks Back and Points Forward with Gorgeous LP
The music is beautiful in jazz pianist Aaron Parks’ new album, but the truth of By All Means is more wonderful and complicated than that.
Kenny Burrell Is Mesmerizing at the Five Spot Café
Jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell’s collection feels more like a warm vignette than a cynical freeze-frame. This is one occasion where digital files simply won’t suffice.
Nels Cline’s Forward-Thinking Jazz Is Superb
Trailblazing guitarist and Wilco secret weapon Nels Cline is back with a bracing new jazz quartet recording and joined by similarly forward-thinking musicians.
Brainy Jazz Saxophonist Walter Smith III Returns to His Texas Roots
For his new jazz album, Walter Smith III discovers new inspiration in the Houston of his childhood to create his most fully realized work yet.
Meshell Ndegeocello’s ‘The Omnichord Real Book’ Is Stellar Soul Music
Meshell Ndegeocello always creates a mood around the music that puts rhythm, harmony, and melody in delicious orbits. This is a real genre-crossing soul album.
British Jazz Artists Offer Takes on Blue Note Catalog with ‘Blue Note Re:imagined II’
Blue Note Re:imagined II 2022 showcases a diverse cast of young British soul, R&B, and jazz artists drawing inspiration from past masterworks.
Makaya McCraven Brings DJing Skills to ‘Deciphering the Message’
Makaya McCraven brings his percussion and DJing skills to the Blue Note catalog for Deciphering the Message, creating a deft mix of the old with the new.
‘Share the Wealth’ Balances Nels Cline’s Interest in Tradition and Exploration
Eclectic guitarist Nels Cline expands his long-standing improvising band to create a small orchestra that plays with a combination of freedom and discipline on Share the Wealth.
Ron Miles’ ‘Rainbow Sign’ Is Quietly Fantastic
Don't sleep on this magical, flowing music, even if it purposely courts a dreamy mood. The jazz cornetist and composer gets four other distinctive players to come quietly together for a greater good.