Marcus Miller’s “Laid Black” Sure Is Bursting With Soul
This unbeatable bass player has over four decades of experience (including a star-making stint with Miles Davis) and his current album “Laid Black” illustrates how Marcus Miller is always pushing things to next-level genius.
Excalibur and Cosmo: When CCR Members Go Solo
Sure, John Fogerty was the “voice” of Creedence Clearwater Revival but these two reissues put the spotlight on two other members of the band.
JD Allen’s “Love Stone”: Jazz Album of the Year?
He’s one of the most talked-about tenor saxophonists and his album “Love Stone” takes classic songs in directions not seen since the days of Sonny Rollins. Obviously, he wasn’t content to just stick to the script!
American Primitive Has a Sound All Its Own
Showcasing American folk with a big dash of Celtic, Arabic and Hebrew, “The Thousand Incarnations of the Rose” puts the spotlight on folk guitarists John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Harry Taussig, and Robbie Basho.
Spinal Tap’s Bassist Goes Solo… for Real
“Derek Smalls” (the genius Harry Shearer) knows that fine line between “clever and stupid” – and explores it in his new “Spinal Tap”- inspired solo album. Turns out, being an aging rock god makes for some great music.