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: Twin Talk- Weaver

Twin Talk infuriates me.  The bold sound of its new album Weaver makes the output of far too many jazz artists seem passé.  Knowing that the trio of Katie Ernst, Andrew Green and Dustin Laurenzi are making startling sounds in Chicago renders the prospect of hearing their less imaginative peers gig in Kansas City clubs substantially less appealing.  While there are no exact analogies, Twin Talk’s surprising attack evokes bits of Sara Serpa, the Bad Plus and David Binney.  The trio’s connection to Bon Iver is also evident (but is never overbearing).  Here’s the title track of Weaver.


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I’m attending the Big Ears Festival next month.  Carla Bley!  Harold Budd!  Jlin!  Makaya McCraven!  Meredith Monk!  Spiritualized!  Wadada Leo Smith!  Care to join me?   Hotels in downtown Knoxville are so pricey that I’m seeking a roommate to help defray expenses.

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The soul balladeer James Ingram has died.

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Edwin Birdsong, a legend among R&B crate-diggers, has died.

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The Nashville insider Harold Bradley, the brother of Owen Bradley, has died.

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Yugen Blakrok’s Anima Mysterium is an invigorating throwback to old-school backpack rap.  RIYL: Jedi Mind Tricks, South Africa, Cannibal Ox.  Here’s “Picture Box”.

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Eleni Karaindrou’s Tous des oiseaux is unclassifiable.  The Greek composer’s new release doesn’t really qualify as classical, folk, jazz or ambient music.  The material was composed for a play and for a film, but it’s far more substantial than typical incidental sounds.  Here’s  “Encounter”.

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I respect Robert Pollock more with each passing year.  Guided By Voices’ Zeppelin over China is preposterously good.  About two dozen of the 32 songs are keepers.  RIYL: The Who’s Quadrophenia, impossible feats, the Pretty Things’ S.F. Sorrow.  Here’s “The Rally Boys”.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)