Album Review: Reggie B- DNA

I've never been a big fan of the Innate Sounds vibe.  The flighty funk, scat-happy vocals and meandering jazz beats I associate with the label just aren't my bag.  Yet DNA, the new recording by sometime Innate Sounds artist Reggie B, instantly connected with me.  The 70-plus-minute recording is based on the foundations laid down by Prince, J Dilla and Roy Ayers.  The project also contains embellishments inspired by R. Kelly, Teddy Riley, Bob James and Bootsy Collins.  While derivative, the mix works.  DNA is one of my favorite albums of the year by a Kansas City-based artist.


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I reviewed concerts by Sara Bareilles, Bonnie Raitt and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra last week.

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Ronald Shannon Jackson has died.

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Jazz bassist Butch Warren has died.

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Noel Harrison has died.

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The doofus at Plastic Sax reviewed A Kansas City Trumpet Summit.

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KCUR aired a ten-minute feature on Mike Stover.

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Mac Lethal is in his wheelhouse in the In Other News segment for Pharrell Williams' channel.

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Shame is the latest release by Mike Borgia & the Problems.

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Tim Horner's The Head of the Circle is RIYL: Joe Locke, Ted Nash, mainstream jazz.

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The EPK for the Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio 2 is exceedingly annoying.

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Revocation made a video for "Fracked".  RIYL: environmental activism, death metal, headbanging.

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Danny Brown's Old has its moments.  RIYL: Richard Pryor, substance abuse, A$AP Rocky.

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I don't invest much time worrying about the ongoing debates related to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.  Here are my five personal favorites- not the best or the most important artists- among the current batch of nominees: LL Cool J, The Meters, N.W.A., the Replacements and the Zombies.

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Trivium's Vengeance Falls is RIYL: Metallica, energy drinks, Guitar Hero.

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I adore Deer Tick's new album Negativity.  RIYL: Rick Danko, the Gourds, John Prine's Pink Cadillac.

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Here's additional recent footage of Charlie Musselwhite performing at a tribute to Little Walter.

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Tommy McCook's classic Reggae In Jazz was just reissued.  RIYL: The Skatalites, life, Duke Reid.

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A forthcoming collection of Lone Justice recordings from 1984 features liner notes by Chris Morris.

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This week's new releases of special interest to There Stands the Glass include AFI, Best Coast, Cage, Brandy Clark, Brett Dennen, Tom Harrell, DJ Khaled, Metal Church, Motorhead, Najee, Ednita Nazario, Polica, Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones, Omar Souleyman and Linda Thompson.

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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.  Also, "Am I Evil?" - you may or may not see me at the Diamond Head show tonight (October 22) at the Riot Room.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: The Grisly Hand- Country Singles

Singers and songs.  That's what country's all about.  Even when the two essential elements are pitted against hideous arrangements- as is often the case with in many of the otherwise classic hits by the likes of Ray Price and George Jones- the singers and the songs carry the day. 

Fortunately, the brilliant songs and stellar singing featured on Country Singles, the latest release by Kansas City's The Grisly Hand, are supported by immaculately tasteful playing by the likes of Mike Stover. 

I'd been impressed by Country Singles since its release several weeks ago, but it wasn't until Tuesday night that I gave the album my undivided attention.  I was floored.  Country Singles is almost certainly my favorite non-jazz/non-hip hop album to originate in Kansas City in years.  A few highlights of the consistently great project: the boozer's lament of "Municipal Farm Blues," the domestic strife of "(If You're Leavin') Take the Trash Out (When You Go)" and the exhausted "Coup De Coeur." 

The title track evokes the spark-filled duets of both Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and John Doe and Exene Cervenka.   Anyone who appreciates those essential partnerships, Grievous Angel, Dave Alvin's solo work or any number of insurgent country albums released by Bloodshot Records will adore Country Singles.


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Darondo has died.

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KCUR aired a profile of Betse Ellis.

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Hammerlord's new We Live EP is brutal.

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The video for Gee Watts' "Nasty" has racked up over 40,000 views in a week.

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Mac Lethal's "Wiggaz That's Hairless" is an amusing novelty.

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MilkDrop made a video for "Let It Drop/Daily Bread".

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Hospital Ships' Jordan Geiger shares his favorite things about Lawrence with CMJ.

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French jazz pianist Tony Tixier, an occasional visitor to Kansas City, is featured in an excellent performance video.

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I discovered Kylesa's solid Ultraviolet via a couple of new best-of 2013 lists.  RIYL: Kyuss, Jane's Addiction, Isis.

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David Murray's Be My Monster Love could be the loudest jazz album of 2013.  That's a good thing.  Macy Gray and Gregory Porter are guests.  That's also a good thing.  The project seems deliberately manic.  That's a bad thing.  The loopy and inane lyrical content could have been written in 1973.  That's a really bad thing.  Maybe I'll come around, but as of now I consider Be My Monster Love to be one of the year's major disappointments. 

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Charlie Musselwhite is looking good these days.

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I was charmed by Paula Cole last night.  Accompanied only by Mark Erelli, the 1998 recipient of the Grammy's Best New Artist award performed with taste and elegance.

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Today marks the fifth anniversary of the untimely death of Esbjorn Svensson.  What might have been…

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Melodic Warrior is the title of Terje Rypdal's new album.

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Demon Queen combines the attacks of Death Grips and Die Antwoord on "Demon Practice".  (Warning- the video contains nudity and blood in equal measure.)

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I can't muster much enthusiasm for the Replacements' reunion.  I hope the shows go well and that everyone has a good time.   After being all about the Replacements from 1983-87, I'm just unable to go back to that place.

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It took a while, but The Uncluded finally won me over.  In fact, I'm not sure we can be friends if you don't like "Delicate Cycle".

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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)