Pianist and composer Joey Alexander’s seventh album, Continuance, is the story of a critically acclaimed artist at the peak of his creativity, not only as a bandleader but as a celebrated composer. At 20 years old, Alexander has gathered his touring band, consisting of Kris Funn (bass) and John Davis (drums), to translate their unique improvisation on the stage to the studio with the help of trumpeter Theo Croker. Featuring five newly written original compositions and breathtaking renditions of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (made famous by Bonnie Raitt) and the popular hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Alexander is bound to make new waves on a global level.
A very unusual album for Wayne Shorter – recorded right around that 1970 point when Duke Pearson was exploring formats for Blue Note artists that included larger, often electric arrangements, pointing the way towards some of the later 70s soul jazz work on labels like Kudu or CTI! This set, produced by Pearson, features Shorter as the main soloist on tenor and soprano sax – in a very hip group that includes Dave Friedman on vibes, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter and Cecil McBee on bass, and both Billy Hart and Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Tracks are long and complicated, with searching soulful arrangements that are part post-Miles fusion, part early 70s indie soul jazz – but balanced nicely without any sense of overindulgence at all. Shorter's soprano work is very nice, and much more angular than his playing on tenor – and titles include "Wind", "Joy", "Storm", and "Calm". ~ Dusty Groove
It's been quite a few years since Bombino's previous record – and in that time, it almost feels as if he's locked himself up somewhere and learned how to be even more amazing on guitar! His sense of sound, tone, and timing is incredible – and the record's one of those Tuareg sets that can easily stand next to Anglo greats from the years of psych and hard rock – but with that special sub-Saharan quality that also makes a player like Bombino so unique – as he spins out long lines of freedom and fuzz over plenty of driving rhythms! Titles include "Darfuq", "Alwane", "Tazidert", "Aitma", Si Chilan", "Mes Amis", "Ayes Sachen", and "Nik Sant Awanha". ~ Dusty Groove
Gradient: a change in the magnitude of a property observed in passing from one moment to another. The term implies gradual transition on a continuous scale between two seemingly opposing elements. In Gradient, the Jesse Dietschi Trio travel along a continuum between modern jazz and contemporary classical chamber music, adjusting position as they navigate compositions that blend these styles. The progression of the album invites the listener on a journey from modern jazz soundscapes to chamber music aesthetics and back again. Leader, bassist, and composer Jesse Dietschi is an international touring and recording jazz artist who also serves as a top-call extra musician with both the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Opera Company. Joined by pianist Ewen Farncombe and drummer Ethan Ardelli, the compositions featured in Gradient draw from Dietschi’s extensive training in both the jazz and orchestral fields to create lush and colorful auditory narratives exploring a wide range of emotional responses. From joyful to melancholy, exciting to introspective, optimistic to angsty, Gradient uses both composition and improvisation to take listeners on a journey through the full gamut of human experiences.
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