Arooj Aftab Unleashes Moody, Nocturnal Bliss on ‘Night Reign’
Arooj Aftab’s Night Reign is filled with dark, mysterious corners and an intoxicating blend of jazz and her Pakistani roots with stunning results.
verve records
Phosphorescent Turns Introspective on ‘Revelator’
Revelator captures Phosphorescent’s endeavor to encounter life as it is, practicing vulnerability, empathy, and a degree of self-effacement.
Ella Fitzgerald Live at the Hollywood Bowl in 1958 Rediscovered
Ella Fitzgerald mixed styles in a unique way while sticking to the work of one songwriter at a time. This recording shows how she could masterfully do this with a live orchestra.
After Ten Year Hiatus, Lyle Lovett Returns to Form with ’12th of June’
The 12th of June is a welcome return to form for Lyle Lovett after a ten-year absence from recording and compelling testimony that he’s still a master.
Kurt Vile Invites Us to Watch His Moves
Indie rocker Kurt Vile returns with the sprawling, pondering, post-pandemic jam (watch my moves). Its best moments entrance and enthrall.
Angélique Kidjo Continues to Shine with Timely ‘Mother Nature’
The common thread on Mother Nature is Angélique Kidjo’s energy, shining through in a voice that never seems to lose strength or agility.
Soul Legend Bettye LaVette Gets Jazzy on New Covers LP ‘Blackbirds’
Bettye LaVette offers jazzy interpretations of past classics on Blackbirds.
‘Piano Duets’ Asserts Ella Fitzgerald’s Interpretive Greatness
Though called "The First Lady of Song", Ella Fitzgerald is more lauded for her spectacular vocal sound than for her interpretations of lyrics, but a new reissue should help correct that understanding of her art.
You’re Everything: An Interview with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey
Earth, Wind & Fire singer, Philip Bailey says his most recent solo LP speaks "to a lot of the same issues that we were dealing with in the 1960s." Bailey discusses this and more in a new interview.
John Scofield’s ‘Combo 66’ Sounds Like You’ll Be Hearing It Forever
Timeless guitarist John Scofield has the biggest audience of his career creating effortless, playful jazz that swings like yesterday but appeals in the present. Joyous.