FKAJAZZ - LET IT SNOW
Deemed a "triple threat, musician, producer, and writer"
by United Press International, Samir Zarif aka FKAjazz has taken the latter
half of 2017 by storm, first by releasing his groundbreaking sophomore album
under his new moniker, FKAjazz and now with the release of "Let It Snow
(Lovers' Version)" a single release for the long winter season to come.
"It's time to cozy up," he says. Jonathan Widran of Jazziz Magazine
writes, "NYC based saxophonist Samir Zarif lays the dynamic groundwork for
the possibilities of what jazz is for his generation and provides a vision for
what the cherished American art form can be moving forward. With a freewheeling
energy driven by the still simmering melting pot of influences that drive his
musical passion – traditional jazz, R&B and hip-hop – [his music] is the
culmination of a multi-faceted journey that transcends easy definitions. It’s
always evolving with a sense of grooving and improvisational wonder and
discovery." By all means, this is a beautifully unexpected version of
"Let It Snow" which effortlessly holds a place on every holiday
playlist. From it's smooth-groove R&B feel to the masterful saxophone
performance, FKAjazz's "Let It Snow" is a must-listen throughout the
cold months ahead. As Christian Wissmuller of JazzEd Magazine put it
"[FKAjazz is] moving jazz forward even further into new and exciting
territories, incorporating elements of hip hop, traditional jazz, R&B, and
other musical forms. This single release of "Let It Snow" coupled
with the release of "Stereotype Threat" (released Sept 2017), proves
that FKAjazz is on a mission to take us all on an epic musical journey.
SLIVOVITZ - LiveR
The fourth album of the progressive jazz-rock group from Napoli,
Italy - SLIVOVITZ on MoonJune Records. Recorded live in Milan, Italy, in May of
2016, "LiveR" showcases the eccentric Italian maestros at their
collective best – playful, daring and just having fun! Some of their most
potent material to date (primarily from their heralded 2011 release, "Bani
Ahead" and 2016's delectable "All You Can Eat") is revisited in
truly refreshing style: uninhibited, lively, but still with their decidedly
tight synchronicity and intuitive interplay as a unit. Brilliant individual
moments abound, with many songs extending well beyond their
previously-established studio confines: affording soloists the opportunity to
really step out and shine, while harmonic and rhythmic potentials are explored
with playful delight by an always-adventurous rhythm section, steadily
smoldering in the background. While many live albums may come across as merely
a rehash or an attempted recapturing of some previous musical magic, from the
opening frame it's apparent that Slivovitz is completely engaged in the
material -- showcasing both their collective and individual brilliance and
ambition, while continuing to push the bounds of each song's structural and
harmonic blueprints. This album roars with intensity, while serving as a
testimony to the intrepidity and unfettered spirit of adventure which make this
band one of progressive music's most unique, innovative collective entities.
JOE MCPHEE / PASCAL NIGGENKEMPER / STALE LIAVIK SOLBERG - IMAGINARY NUMBERS
A really old school trio setting – one that has a loose,
open, freely exploratory vibe that really takes us back to the loft jazz
generation – as the musicians work in very creative territory that really shows
their individual spirits, yet still also come together strongly as a whole! Joe
McPhee is great on tenor and trumpet – and really reminds us of those
tremendous textures and tones he started developing in the late 70s – and the
rest of the trio features Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and Stale Liavik Solberg
on drums – both younger musicians, but equally creative in the setting. Titles
include "i", "A", and "Zero Supreme Love" – the
last of which is dedicated to John Coltrane. ~ Dusty Groove
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