Category Archives: Music

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen’s Jaywalkin’

When the bass player stands out on a record featuring Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson and French violinist Stephane Grappelli, you know that bassist is something special. That was the case with my first exposure to the playing of the legendary … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Rogue’s Gallery

I’ve never considered myself a particular fan of sea chanteys, but this collection just may make a convert of me. When I read the press release from Anti- earlier this year, I was immediately intrigued by the project, not least … Continue reading

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Anna Tivel’s Animal Poem

Anna Tivel’s latest dropped the day after my birthday, which was one of those angsty ones that ends in a zero. Such a nice birthday present, even though whenever I listen to it I find myself on the verge of … Continue reading

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Hilary Hawke’s Lift Up This Old World

Banjo player, singer and composer Hilary Hawke is one of the leading figures in modern old time music. For 18 years now she’s been based in New York City, and for much of that time was part of Brooklyn’s storied … Continue reading

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Roger Glenn’s My Latin Heart, and Miguel Zenón Quartet’s Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard

Latin flavored jazz goes with warm weather, right? Here are two superb new releases to keep you warm as the season turns. So how come I’ve never heard of Roger Glenn until now? Possibly because, although he’s been playing with … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Latin Noir

I’m not sure that the title of this collection is entirely accurate, particularly because my favorite cut, “La Distancia” by Colombian singer and vallenato accordionist Alfredo Gutiérrez seems to me to be a joyful celebration. True, it’s in a minor … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Son of Rogue’s Gallery

I keep thinking the whole pirate thing will play out, but it seems it has legs, even if one of them is a peg. A couple of friends of mine started International Talk Like A Pirate Day back in about … Continue reading

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John Taylor’s Tramonto, and Liv Andrea Hauge Trio’s Døgnville

Some days I’d be happy listening to nothing but piano trios. Here are two recent releases that satisfy that urge. From the ECM vaults comes this splendid live recording by the late UK pianist John Taylor’s trio with Americans Marc … Continue reading

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Daryana Antipova interview: Tempvs Fvgit’s journey through sacred sound

Receiving almost a hundred new albums every month — and often giving a band just thirty seconds to catch my attention with their very first notes — my ear inevitably becomes a little jaded. That’s why discoveries like the Corsican … Continue reading

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Kulin Ban’s Ad Drinum

When Vladimir Savić first gathered musicians under the name Kulin Ban in 2005, it was never meant to become a typical band. What began spontaneously at a wedding in Southern Serbia soon evolved into a foundation-like, non-profit project named after … Continue reading

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