Brainy Jazz Saxophonist Walter Smith III Returns to His Texas Roots
For his new jazz album, Walter Smith III discovers new inspiration in the Houston of his childhood to create his most fully realized work yet.
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Meshell Ndegeocello’s ‘The Omnichord Real Book’ Is Stellar Soul Music
Meshell Ndegeocello always creates a mood around the music that puts rhythm, harmony, and melody in delicious orbits. This is a real genre-crossing soul album.
British Jazz Artists Offer Takes on Blue Note Catalog with ‘Blue Note Re:imagined II’
Blue Note Re:imagined II 2022 showcases a diverse cast of young British soul, R&B, and jazz artists drawing inspiration from past masterworks.
Makaya McCraven Brings DJing Skills to ‘Deciphering the Message’
Makaya McCraven brings his percussion and DJing skills to the Blue Note catalog for Deciphering the Message, creating a deft mix of the old with the new.
‘Share the Wealth’ Balances Nels Cline’s Interest in Tradition and Exploration
Eclectic guitarist Nels Cline expands his long-standing improvising band to create a small orchestra that plays with a combination of freedom and discipline on Share the Wealth.
Ron Miles’ ‘Rainbow Sign’ Is Quietly Fantastic
Don't sleep on this magical, flowing music, even if it purposely courts a dreamy mood. The jazz cornetist and composer gets four other distinctive players to come quietly together for a greater good.
Artemis Is the Latest Jazz Supergroup
A Blue Note supergroup happens to be made up of women, exclusively. Artemis is an inconsistent outing, but it dazzles just often enough.
British Jazz and Soul Artists Interpret the Classics on ‘Blue Note Re:imagined’
Blue Note Re:imagined provides an entrance for new audiences to hear what's going on in British jazz today as well as to go back to the past and enjoy old glories.
Gregory Porter Creates Another Collection of Soul-Jazz Gems on ‘All Rise’
All Rise is another diamond in Gregory Porter's catalog of precious gems. There is studied wisdom, a graceful sagaciousness that accompanies the tracks.
Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorter Proves He Can Still Bring the Goods on ‘Emanon’
Even if you can't tell what the endgame is, Wayne Shorter's Emanon is an intriguing listen.
Nels Cline: Lovers
The unclassifiable guitar legend and Wilco secret weapon finally releases the album he's been working on for 25 years, and it's definitely worth the wait.
Various Artists: The Best of Blue Note
Here's another one of those groovy, swingin', melodic and enjoyable exercises in futility.