Best of 2018 #50: Miles Okazaki – “Work”

Quite out of the blue and as casually as tossing a coin into a fountain, Miles Okazaki released a six-volume solo guitar interpretation of the Thelonious Monk songbook.  It’s a hell of a statement, even if it wasn’t offered up that way.  Okazaki has often displayed a whimsical demeanor to his wonkish music endeavors, which might explain why a project that might be a cerebral exercise for other musicians comes off as a heartfelt, thoughtful exercise, as if a puzzle enthusiast spent a lazy Sunday afternoon joyfully assembling one of the world’s most difficult puzzles.

The album is Self-Produced.

Music from New York City.

I wrote about this album for The Bandcamp Daily.

Available at:  Bandcamp