February Recap

Top Five Performances
1. Elton John- Sprint Center
My review.
2. Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers- Sprint Center
My review.
3. Ben Allison’s Think Free- Mod Gallery
My review.
4. Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7- Black Dolphin
I like it like that.
5. Heat Index- Thee Gin Mill
Sizzling fusion in the suburbs.

Top Five Albums
1. Yugen Blakrok- Anima Mysterium
A fearsome roar from the Black Panther soundtrack alum.
2. Nubiyan Twist- Jungle Run
Nourishing future jazz.
3. Drew Williams’ Wing Walker Orchestra- Hazel
The Lee’s Summit musician makes a national splash.
4. Mavis Staples- Live in London
A great American.
5. Cochemea Gastelum- All My Relations
Metaphysical jams.

Top Five Songs
1. Natti Natasha- “Pa’ Mala Yo”
Who’s bad?
2. Reggie B and the Popper- “Not Funky”
Heartland funk.
3. Tropkillaz, J Balvin, Anitta and MC Zaac- “Bola Rebola”
Balling.
4. Ariana Grande- “NASA”
Spaced out.
5. Keaton Conrad- “What Am I Supposed to Do?”
Kansas City’s Prince of Pop.

(Original image of Elton John by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Nubiyan Twist- Jungle Run

I came for Mulatu Astatke and stayed for the cosmic grooves.  The giant of Ethiopian jazz contributes to a selection on the new Nubiyan Twist album Jungle Run, but every track on the project fills me with a warmth that repels the excruciating winter chill.  Twining the sounds of Roy Ayers, Fela, Curtis Mayfield, Roni Size, Soul II Soul and Erykah Badu into a riveting fabric, the youthful British “future jazz/afro-dub” collective weave entirely new patterns into a comforting blanket that makes me feel more secure than Linus van Pelt.  Here’s “Tell It To Me Slowly”.


---
I write weekly concert previews for The Kansas City Star.

---
Natti Natasha’s Iluminatti bumps in my whip.  RIYL: Diplo, candy, Wisin & Yandel.  Here’s “Me Gusta”.

---
Hey, jerks: I’m still seeking a roommate for the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville next month.  I’m locked in for four nights at the convention hotel at the axis of the avant-garde hullabaloo.  Hit me up.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)