Saluting Jabo Starks: Five Takes on “Sex Machine”
When drummer Jabo Starks died in May 2018, we lost the last living link to that funky James Brown groove. But a wide array of artists, from Prince to Iggy Pop to Q Burns Abstract Message, furthered his contributions by incorporating his unique rhythmic vibe into some of their songs.
Cecil Taylor: Beyond the Boundaries of Jazz
This revolutionary artist broke jazz out of its “bebop” box, and took it to places no one ever imagined. Cecil Taylor also wrote poetry and music for dance performances. Many consider him as influential as Coltrane and Ellington; it’s a shame he didn’t get more commercial attention.
New Jazz 2018: Idris Ackamoor to Dan Weiss
Spacey “spiritual” jazz, Van Morrison’s gift for improv, an Estonian pianist, and a “brain-shattering version of Nirvana’s ‘Negative Creep’…these are just a few of the artists taking jazz music into entirely uncharted directions. Ready for it?
5 Songs Honoring John Barlow, The Grateful Dead’s “Other” Lyricist
“Cassidy,” “Looks Like Rain” and “Black Throated Wind” are great examples of Barlow’s poetic work for the Dead.
5 New Blues Albums You Need to Hear
What’s new on the scene? Releases from Grammy nominee Janiva Magness, Muddy Waters’ offspring Mud Morganfield, and Sunshine State trailblazers Backstreet Blues Band.