ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat Juggles Joy and Pain on ‘It Is What It Is’
The bass virtuoso drops another fantastic voyage that’s even better than than its predecessor.
Jazz/Soul
Quarantine Diaries: The Glory of Gil Evans
So now they got me in lockdown. Man is stuck indoors. Nothing to do. Twenty three hours
ALBUM REVIEW: Moses Boyd Soundtracks Dark Days in the U.K.
The drummer/producer’s solo debut is a post-Brexit masterpiece.
ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Kiwanuka Lays It All out There on ‘KIWANUKA’
The British singer-songwriter quietly drops his biggest statement yet.
ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Glasper Expresses Both Sides of Himself on ‘Fuck Yo Feelings’
No one marries jazz and hip-hop quite as masterfully as Robert Glasper.
ALBUM REVIEW: John Coltrane is in Peak Form on ‘Blue World’
With his Classic Quartet in tow, the sax legends is alive and well on newly unearthed soundtrack sessions.
ALBUM REVIEW: Miles Davis Springs Back to Life on ‘Rubberband’
The late jazz icon like you’ve never heard him before.
‘Kind of Blue’ Turns 60
There’s a reason Miles Davis’ seminal work is widely acknowledged as the greatest jazz album of all time.
ALBUM REVIEW: Black Pumas Make Classic Soul Sound New Again
But don’t call it “retro”…
ALBUM REVIEW: Ezra Collective Dives into the Deep End on Sharp Debut
The London five-piece is leading the new-wave of UK jazz.
ALBUM REVIEW: Marvin Gaye’s ‘You’re the Man’ Reveals a Genius in the Middle of His Process
The soul icon’s “lost album” is a revealing new look at a critical and uncertain point in his evolution.
ALBUM REVIEW: Charles Bradley’s ‘Black Velvet’ Is a Reminder of What We Lost
The frequently compared late-bloomer deserves to be first remembered as the singular voice he was.
ALBUM REVIEW: Brandon Coleman Leads the Funky ‘Resistance’ on Debut
We’re talking George Clinton levels of funk.
ALBUM REVIEW: Noname Drops Her College Thesis on ‘Room 25’
Debuts don’t get better than this.
ALBUM REVIEW: Swamp Dogg Keeps It Weird on ‘Love, Loss and Auto-Tune’
The 76-year-old cult hero uses new technologies to do what he’s been doing since the ’70s.
ALBUM REVIEW: St. Paul & the Broken Bones Bottle the Classic R&B Sound on ‘Young Sick Camellia’
A convincing case for greatest active rhythm and blues band on the planet.
ALBUM REVIEW: Rejoicer’s ‘Energy Dreams’ Is a Trip Through a Beatmaker’s Imagination
A jazzy collection of lo-fi beats that would be right at home on a playlist with Thundercat and Flying Lotus.
ALBUM REVIEW: Cory Wong Spreads Funky Positivity on ‘The Optimist’
Vulfpeck guitarist turns a near death experience into life-loving grooves.
ALBUM REVIEW: Louis Cole Makes Pop for the Fringe on ‘Time’
If Thundercat tried to make a pop album, it would sound like this.
JAZZ STARTER KIT: Sun Ra’s ‘Atlantis’
An iconic portal for entering the galaxy of Sun Ra.
ALBUM REVIEW: Ghost-Note Pump Conscious Funk on ‘Swagism’
The Snarky Puppy side project is a rewarding listen for jazz-heads and newbies alike.
ALBUM REVIEW: Busdriver ‘Electricity Is on Our Side’ is The Perfect Art Rap Package
A challenge for the mind but a treat for the ears.
ALBUM REVIEW: John Coltrane’s Classic Quartet Shines Once More on ‘Both Directions at Once’
A stunning snapshot of some of jazz’s all-time greats at their peak.