Shabaka Hutchings

Jan 20 2019

Best of 2018 #5: Makaya McCraven – “Universal Beings”

 

I’m not sure how much more I can say about this recording.  I originally included Makaya McCraven‘s Universal Beings in my Best Jazz on Bandcamp column, in which I explained how “Four concerts in four different cities [and] four casts of collaborators lead to four different perspectives on the expressionistic range of modern jazz.”  Later, for the Best Bandcamp Jazz in 2018 column, I added that his “cohesive vision of the strength and diversity of today’s talent pool… is a statement, and that statement is: This is jazz today.”  And then, finally, for its inclusion on The Best Albums of 2018, which included music for all genres, I summed up that “Universal Beings reveals the wealth of riches right there in front of us.  You don’t need to hold onto 1959; Makaya McCraven can give you today.”  McCraven captures four different takes on the modern jazz sound with four different ensembles performing in four different cities, further cementing the fact that this music is everywhere and that its potential for expression is limited only by the space on the planet and how that affects the space within artists heads and hearts and souls.

Released on International Anthem.

Music from Chicago, IL.

I wrote about this album for The Bandcamp Daily.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

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Jan 11 2019

Best of 2018 #29: Sons of Kemet – “Your Queen Is A Reptile”

 

No matter how you look at this album, you’ll see a statement.  There’s the political context, of the idea of royalty and the fracture of racism cutting down the center of society.  There’s the media context, and of who is presented to the public as role models and heroes.  There’s the musical context, of the roots of folk music stretching across continents, of cross-pollination of influences, and of musicians stamping their mark on the present day scene.  But in ascendance over all of those, the statement that rings most clear, is that a heavy message need not clip the wings of music that simply wants to go soaring.  There is an unmissable sense of importance that radiates from every note of Sons of Kemet‘s Your Queen Is A Reptile; so are its expressions of joy.

Released on Impulse Records.

Read more on Bird is the Worm.

Music from London, UK.

Available at:  Amazon

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Jun 11 2018

The Round-up: Between steel and sky

 

Here is some very good new music.

 

Shake Stew – Rise and Rise Again (Traumton Records)

Shake Stew is the congregation and their new album Rise and Rise Again is a testament to the choice of expressing spirituality via euphoric motion or solemn contemplation.  Ultimately, the septet take both routes, and in both instances, their church bursts with a celebration of life.  Skittering grooves and thick melodies feed off the energy of one another, a playfulness of motion like the dance between shadow and sunlight.  Tenor saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings sits in for a couple of tracks, and it’s a shame it’s just for two, because he is a perfect fit for this band on this album.  Music from Vienna, Austria.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Kevin Sun – Trio (Endectomorph Music)

There’s an undercurrent of aggression on the newest from Kevin Sun, and it flows through the music no differently when it veers into avant-garde territory as it does when the trio is simply laying down a pretty melody.  Joined by bassist Water Stinson and drummer Matt Honor, the tenor saxophonist rolls out an impressive display of expressionism, where the method of delivery is what binds the album together instead of the cohesion of sound.  That’s pretty cool, and it’s why the ever-changing landscape of Trio feels like it’s keeping to a predetermined path.  Music from Brooklyn, NY.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Michael Moss Accidental Orchestra – Helix (Self-Produced)

What’s most astounding about this fascinating free jazz release is how Michael Moss is able to spotlight individual rivulets of melody in the dense wave of his big band harmonics.  Violinist Jason Kao Hwang, trombonist Steve Swell and tabla player Badal Roy are a few of the familiar names in Moss’s Accidental Orchestra, and symbolic of the sonic diversity that powers Helix.  There are countless surges intensity, and how they pull apart at the seams of a piece and then suddenly coalesce into a singular vision is just one of the many fascinating qualities offered up.  Another is Michael Lytle dishing out fire on bass clarinet.  Don’t be surprised if this album makes some noise in year-end lists.  Music from NYC.

No artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Konrad Bogen Trio – Transit (Self-Produced)

The trio of pianist Konrad Bogen, bassist Mischa Frey and drummer Samir Böhringer develop a seriously friendly chatter on their latest, and what makes it so compelling is how that level engagement maintains its electrical charge regardless of the tone of a particular piece.  And so, the contemplative tunes possess the same magnetism and friendly demeanor as do those tunes that move with a lively hop and bounce.  As they did on their previous release, United, the trio takes a Kendrick Lamar tune for a spin, and with equally successful results.  Definitely musicians to keep on your radar.  Music from Berlin, Germany.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

Matt Carmichael – Matt Carmichael Quartet (Self-Produced)

A promising debut from tenor saxophonist Matt Carmichael.  A calm intensity and casual delivery makes for an appealing combination.  That, in addition to some well crafted melodies, is the source of this EP’s charisma.  Though I suppose it shouldn’t be overlooked how each of these four pieces demonstrate that the quartet understands the value of making a strong opening statement.  Joining Carmichael are pianist Fergus McCreadie, bassist Ali Watson and drummer Tom Potter.  Music from Glasgow, Scotland.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

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