Noori is pictured with a very cool "tambo guitar" on the cover – an instrument that combines familiar electric strings with some of the more ancient harp-style modes that were used in East African music in the past – electrified here, and used to create a really amazing sound throughout the album! Noori plays with modes that echo guitar sounds from both African coasts, but also a vibe that's very much his own – partly through the way the two aspects of his guitar are mixed, but also because the album's all instrumental – with small combo backing that has some very nice tenor, plus bass, rhythm guitar, congas, and tablas! As you might expect, there's a nicely earthy vibe throughout – as the percussion mixes with the guitar lines, then gets topped with jazzy touches on the tenor – on titles that include "Wondeeb", "Daleb", "Qwal", "Saagama", and "Al Amal". ~ Dusty Groove
Is life online in the 21st century a blessing or a curse? One could make a case either way, but if you’re Toronto-based vocalist and songwriter Ori Dagan, one thing is certain: there’s great material to be mined for a lyric, something Dagan always delivers with a wry and agile sense of swing. Click Right Here, praised by John Devenish of JAZZ.FM91 as “fun, provocative, fancy-free and spirited,” and by journalist and author Jeanne Beker as “the perfect balance between modernity and nostalgia,” is Dagan’s first album of original material. It offers a joyful escape from, and timely reflection upon, a world spinning out of control. Themes include online dating, social media, technological troubles and the quest for freedom and equality in a divided world. Dagan’s rich bass-baritone is unmistakable; his irreverent songcraft speaks to the lineage of Nat Cole novelty numbers and the impeccably swinging humor of the late Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg. His scat singing has the natural, fluid, bop-inflected feel of the best in that idiom. Click Right Here, his most ambitious project to date, is sure to take him to new destinations, onstage and online.
The Anteloper duo of Jaimie Branch and Jason Nazary have a key partner this time around – guitarist Jeff Parker, who also produced and mixed the whole album – really helping to intensify the cosmic creations of the core duo! As before, Jaimie Branch blows her familiar trumpet, but also works in all sorts of electronics, as well as a bit of vocals as well – often processed in a very cool way down in the mix – whole Nazary plays drums and more electronics – and Parker electrifies their energy with his own guitar, added bass, more percussion, and work on Korg keyboard! The project is a great foray past familiar jazz for all players involved – including drummer Chad Taylor, who adds in a bit of mbira at points – and titles include "Earthlings", "Delfin Rosado", "One Living Genus", and "Baby Bota Halloceanation". ~ Dusty Groove
A set whose origin is partly hinted at by its title – as trumpeter Dave Douglas initially wanted to create a new interpolation of the classic anthem "We Shall Overcome" – then expanded on the energy of that collaboration to create a whole album in a similarly righteous style! The set features key vocal contributions from singers Camila Meza and Fay Victor – and Douglas' trumpet is balanced nicely with trombone from Ryan Keberle – as the players resonate with a the tones of a larger ensemble at moments, while still stepping forth individually too. Meza adds in guitar, and the rest of the group features Jorge Roeder on bass and Rudy Royston on drums – on titles that include "We Shall Overcome", "Good Trouble For John Lewis", "Peace", "When We Are Together Again", and "Perspective". ~ Dusty Groove
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