Tag Archives: Jazz music

Anouar Brahem’s Blue Maqams

There’s a moment a couple of minutes in to the title track of Anouar Brahem’s exquisite new album Blue Maqams that is the kind of moment I long for, like a thirsty person in the desert longs for a cool … Continue reading

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Björn Meyer’s Provenance

The energetically strummed funk of a tune called “Squizzle” is more or less what I expected when I approached an album of solo bass guitar music. It’s a quick in-and-out of a tune, just the electric bass and some subtle … Continue reading

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Saffron Ensemble’s Will You?

I can’t get enough of the music made by Shujaat Husain Khan and Katayoun Goudarzi. Fortunately, they make a lot of music, whether as a duo or in ensembles with other musicians. The thread that runs through their music is … Continue reading

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NYConnection’s Urban Griot

A griot is a member of a class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa. A bit presumptive, perhaps, for a quartet of white guys from Finland and Israel … Continue reading

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Karl Seglem’s Nordic Balm

I was initially leery of this album titled Nordic Balm with its whiff of New Age, but because I was very favorably impressed with Karl Seglem’s 2012 release NyeSongar.no, I resolved to set aside my prejudices and approach it with … Continue reading

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Helge Lien Trio’s Guzuguzu

In my little corner of the world, a new album by the Helge Lien Trio is always cause for (quiet) celebration. Their 2017 release Guzuguzu is a particular treat of lyrical melodicism, playful, sometimes angular rhythms and sonic surprises. From … Continue reading

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Vijay Iyer Sextet’s Far From Over

In the middle of the most turbulent year in America since 1968, the Vijay Iyer Sextet steps forth with an hour of jazz that roars and soars and sings with defiance and joy. Iyer in the liner notes makes clear … Continue reading

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Quercus’s Nightfall

I was gobsmacked when I came across Quercus’s first, self-titled, album a couple of years after its 2013 release. The combination of June Tabor’s husky-silky delivery of largely traditional songs in a jazz setting that was somehow lush but also … Continue reading

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Martti Vesala Soundpost Quintet’s Helsinki Soundpost

Finnish trumpeter Martti Vesala attempted to capture the sounds and flavors of his home base Helsinki with a classic jazz quintet. The aural picture that emerges on Helsinki Soundpost is a delightful tour. This talented young horn player fronts the … Continue reading

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Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan’s Small Town

Bill Frisell, one of the elder statesmen of the electric guitar in America, and young acoustic bassist Thomas Morgan team up for a sublime set of tunes on Small Town. It was recorded live in 2016 at the storied Village … Continue reading

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