The Bird is the Worm mailbox
So, on this thread, you're gonna get to know what promo CDs/DLs are getting sent to me and what my initial thoughts are.
Sort of an "on the horizon" thing, of albums that may become Jazz Picks and/or get a full write-up on my site.
It may be of interest only to me. I wanted to do something like this on my own site, but there was no way to make it work like I wanted.
I think I'll do it here.
Sort of an "on the horizon" thing, of albums that may become Jazz Picks and/or get a full write-up on my site.
It may be of interest only to me. I wanted to do something like this on my own site, but there was no way to make it work like I wanted.
I think I'll do it here.
Comments
It's from the same dude that's part of the nifty Bridges Trio.
Two guitars and a drummer. Mix of mod jazz, folk and rock... which is pretty much the same formula for Bridges Trio. So far, so good.
Definitely check out the last two Bridges Trio albums. Their last one, can't remember what it was called, but it featured a guest spot from saxophonist Chris Cheek. And the one before that, titled "Mons" (or, perhaps, "Mans") is really really good.
The current CD is now covering Neil Young's "Old Man." Interesting.
Checking out the track listing. I see a song title of "River Man." No idea if this is the Nick Drake song or, for that matter, if Nick Drake actually had a song called "River Man."
Peaceful stuff. Totally obscure music reference: It reminds me of what the Acetone might have sounded like had they veered into Jazz territory.
Actually, on this site, I'm not sure there's any such thing as "totally obscure music reference."
Half way through the album, we're going to give this album seven #monies (out of ten).
Okay, wait, I was about to hit submit, but, yes, it is a Nick Drake tune. Ooh, it's actually really good. Gotta say, most jazz artists fall flat on their face with Nick Drake covers... or, at least, the song falls flat. This one, tho, is pretty damn good.
Let's bump it up to 8 #monies (out of ten).
Also, this album may already be out. I was only gonna do upcoming releases, but that's gonna be hard considering how long my music queue is. (That was almost something she said, but not quite).
/monies
I have a delicate personal problem, and I don't know who else to turn to for advice. Oh wait, it's not that kind of letters column, is it?
Signed,
Noisemaker
I was just gonna talk about new jazz to pass the time between "clients."
As far as your problem goes, I'd suggest giving up dairy for a time, and go see your doctor about getting a shot for, y'know, that thing. Also, your unhealthy preoccupation with your mail carrier is something we'll have to talk about next session.
/furniture
Worm mailbox.
Not sure how it is also a bird.
Bayer has appeared on several albums I've written up for various outlets. Recently, he was on that Gonzalo Levin recording and one (or more) of those Underpool recordings... the first one for sure, possibly the second and third, too. I feel like I've also seen him appear in a Jazz Picks column with somebody else, too. I dunno. Oriol Roca or somebody like that.
Anyways, good stuff.
Bayer has appeared on several albums I've written up for various outlets. Recently, he was on that Gonzalo Levin recording and one (or more) of those Underpool recordings... the first one for sure, possibly the second and third, too. I f
BeBuTa - "Gone"
It's a quintet led by pianist Soren Bebe. Some familiar names in the group. Modern stuff, but not obnoxious about it. I almost gave up after the (boring) first track, but I always give the second and third a chance to grab me. This definitely did. Not all the way through the album yet, but I'm on track five now and my opinion of this album has swung 180 degrees.
It got released late last year. It's on Bandcamp...
[url]https://bebuta.bandcamp.com/releases[/url]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1YP7WmkZAc
Not sure what I'm gonna do with this one yet. Expected it to irritate me, but instead, well, not sure yet, but definitely not minding the listen thus far.
Crazy.
Nothing online as far as I can tell, though he does maybe stream some of the album on his site. Didn't check to see if it was full songs or samples. If I do decide to review the album, I'm definitely gonna have to coax him to upload that cover of "Shout" to a Soundcloud or Bandcamp page.
P.S. The album is called "Three Rivers."
Here's a sample track...
https://soundcloud.com/bk-music-pr/epicenter-chris-lightcaps-bigmouth-1
Eddie Henderson - "Collective Portrait"
-Yes, indeed. The newest from the Smoke Sessions series. Much to my surprise and disappointment, only the first two tracks dig into Henderson's embrace of the Miles Davis early-fusion sound. It's two of the album's strongest tracks, though a rendition of Hubbard's "First Light" is pretty amazing, too. Most tracks fall in line with other Smoke Sessions albums... straight-ahead goodness.
Due out in March 2015.
I'm hoping additional listens transforms this album, but I'm not overly optimistic at this point.
I guess it wasn't in this thread that you mentioned the Makaya McCraven album? Anyway, this new International Anthem label is kind of exciting: http://www.intlanthem.com/
http://www.birdistheworm.com/this-is-jazz-today-hereward-casey-golden-lisanne-tremblay-more/
So far in just the first month, I've heard four albums that will be strong contenders for Best Of consideration by year end:
Ben Goldberg - Orphic Machine
Christ Lightcap - Epicenter
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Bird Calls
Fresh Cut Orchestra - From the Vine
I believe all of those albums are being released in February... oh, except maybe the Goldberg, which may have been pushed back to March (maybe).
Every one of those albums has made me bolt up in my seat and, by the end of the album, want to go running down the streets of my hometown shouting to everyone that they need to buy the album immediately.
EDIT: Goldberg & Lightcap are both March.
eta, that link led me to a Soundcloud page with several tracks from Chris Lightcap, along with other new and coming albums: https://soundcloud.com/bk-music-pr
Fully Altered appears to be doing the same now (not sure if this will be an ongoing trend or not), and those guys also rep some amazing stuff (hey, the Goldberg and Fresh Cut Orchestra, coincidentally, by way of example).
Looking fwd to Feb 10 - Will certainly be looking for the new Smoke Sessions + Rudresh. That's a much different line-up & sound than when I saw him last.
I didn't know anything about B&R, but after clicking to hear the Lightcap track a few days ago, I let it play through the related B&R tracks and enjoyed the hell out of the mix. Those folks pick good music to rep!
It has many of the same personnel that were on Moreaux's excellent "Fall Somewhere."
The music is quite beautiful. The song "Jeremy" will probably be your favorite.