Alexander McCabe - Quiz

Saxophonist Alexander McCabe's new release Quiz is a breath of fresh air. It's not a new sound, but McCabe and his group play intense post-bop with a welcome focus on expression and creativity. Jazz, in all its complex splendor, can be cold and impenetrable. All the superb, wooden-sounding jazz technicians on the scene blend together into a forgettable fog. McCabe and his quartet know the name of the game is spirit and artfulness. There's plenty of shredding, too...MORE

Claude Hay - Deep Fried Satisfied

Claude Hay tears it up on his new release Deep Fried Satisfied as a one-man band, writer, producer, arranger, and engineer. Armed with a double-necked oddity, a bass guitar and six string in one, drums, tabla, sitar, and biting vocals, he concocts a blues sound that's raw, energetic, and totally unique. 

 

Hay mixes the Deep South with Southeast Asia and fries it to a spicy crisp, soul-crunchy comfort food...MORE

If you want a satisfying taste of vocal jazz standards, there's already a plethora of recordings out there. If you want a fresh dose however, Trisha O'Brien out of Cleveland has whipped up another good one titled Out Of A Dream. She's a very proficient singer with a soft croon and sincere phrasing, and with a terrific group of musicians backing her up the result is...MORE

John Nemeth - Name The Day!

Sometimes a retro act is just what the doctor ordered. If you're in the mood for that soulful R&B sound of yesteryear, instead of putting on Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, or Wilson Pickett, try John Németh's recent release Name The Day. It's a fully vintage experience: from the driving rhythm section to the blistering brass, it's a lively set of new tunes in a time-tested style...MORE