I don’t think it’s possible to surpass the talent in this supergroup quartet, featuring drummer and bandleader Jack DeJohnette, double-bassist Larry Grenadier, keyboardist John Medeski and his sometimes-collaborator, guitarist John Scofield.
Jazz
[Music] The Great Harry Hillman – Tilt
Thanks ever so much to my prog brother in Kazakhstan, Slava, for introducing me to this wonderful Swiss project, The Great Harry Hillman. Cuneiform Records have released another masterpiece!
[Music] The Best Jazz on Bandcamp: May 2017
Our guide to the month’s best jazz releases.
[Music] Santiago Fradejas – Nila Taurica
Santiago Fradejas’ album came as quite a surprise, not only to me, but to him. He’s a friend to this blog, and in my estimation, is among the most important young composers of the 21st Century, as well as being one hell of a fine guitarist.
This new album came from an explosion of creativity which produced 11 songs of solo guitar tracks, manipulated into a type of horror-movie or noir soundtrack vibe (think the creepier moments of Bernard Herrmann, but with an electric guitar). This is going to be a treat for those of you who like the work of Keiji Haino’s solo endeavors, and even those who like avant-garde and experimental music like Nurse With Wound or Luc Ferrari.
[Music] Guy Segers – Apex
Guy Segers was a member of the Belgian Rock-In-Opposition outfit Univers Zero, as well as their predecessor, Necronomicon. If you check out his CV, you’ll see he’s worked with some of the greatest musicians in all of progressive rock and its offshoots.
Check out his Bandcamp site. He still releases music frequently, and offers title individually, rather than by album.
[Music] Kayno Yesno Slonce – Mare Verborum
Kayno Yesno Slonce are a band based out of Sofia, Bulgaria, who straddle genres so easily that they’re nearly impossible to classify. There is a gentle beauty in the music that reminds me of Bert Jansch or The Incredible String Band, but one can hear elements of Wyrd Folk like Shirley Collins or the more instrumental endeavors of Current 93. For those of you who like neofolk, Balkan music, or something slightly hazy and psychedelic, this album is a stunningly good choice for your ears.
[Music] Fatoumata Diawara – Fatou (Full Album)
World Circuit Records, a longtime leader in World Music, produces another magnificent album. This one is by a Malian singer born in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) called Fatoumata Diawara. She’s worked with such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Damon Albarn and Beninese legends Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou.
[Music] Nyege Nyege Tapes Spotlight Uganda’s Burgeoning Electronic Music Scene
Uganda isn’t the first place one thinks about regarding electronic music, but thanks to the Internet, boundless curiosity and many visits by those promoting the genre (such as C-Drik of Syrphe Records), the scene is growing into something rather healthy and strong.
More on the scene courtesy of Bandcamp.
[Music] Luboš Fišer – Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders (Valerie a týden divů)
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders was a Czech surrealist horror film directed by Jaromil Jireš in 1970. Finders Keepers Records thankfully reissued the soundtrack, scored by Luboš Fišer.
[Music] Libertad Jazzera #59 – Especial Allan Holdsworth – La Montaña Rusa Radio Jazz
My friends and colleagues from Spain’s finest jazz radio program, La Montaña Rusa, dedicate a program to the work of guitarist Allan Holdsworth, who passed away this week.
Click on Allan’s picture or here to listen to the podcast.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 