DownBeat Reviews

Jazz

Rainbow Session

Aug 31, 2017 12:17 PM

Recorded at Rainbow Studios, the brilliant, self-produced Rainbow Session is Norwegian saxophonist Harald Lassen’s move away from his better-known indie excursions (Pixel,…

Jazz

Jul 5, 2017 11:50 AM

Expansions Live
The Dave Liebman Group’s new live double album pushes some interesting buttons. The musicians excel both at…
Jazz

Jul 5, 2017 11:44 AM

Antenna
If Cuban pianist David Virelles’ ECM leader debut, Mbókò, was a fire, then Antenna is its smoke. Both albums employ…
Jazz

Jul 5, 2017 11:29 AM

Beauty ‘N’ Numbers: The Sudoku Suite
Before saying anything about the compositional method behind the pieces on Beauty ‘N’ Numbers, I’m going to write…
Jazz

Jul 2, 2017 3:54 PM

The African Nubian Suite
Scholarship has been implicit in Randy Weston’s music from the get-go. From rhythmic inspiration to melodic…
Jazz

Jul 2, 2017 3:33 PM

Unlimited 1
Kenny Burrell is the last of the generation directly influenced by guitarist Charlie Christian, whose brief career…
Jazz

Jul 2, 2017 3:24 PM

Counteract This Turmoil Like Trees And Birds
Hamid Drake and William Parker have been playing together for over 20 years. Their mutual understanding of rhythmic and…
Jazz

Jul 2, 2017 3:05 PM

Bring Joy
It’s been almost a dozen years since the release of Chicago-based pianist Jo Ann Daugherty’s excellent sophomore…
Jazz

Jul 2, 2017 2:44 PM

Uprising
Miles Mosley can coax more sounds out of his upright bass than the average Joe with a tool- box full of gadgets can…
Jazz

Jul 1, 2017 4:09 PM

It’s All About Latin
The making of a great jazz album is an exercise in balance, akin to cooking a gourmet dish. Too many ingredients and…
Jazz

Jul 1, 2017 11:27 AM

Shores Against Silence
Liberated from the jazz underground where a tape of it has circulated for nearly 25 years, Patrick Zimmerli’s…
Jazz

Jul 1, 2017 11:07 AM

New Tomorrow
Reedist Shawn Maxwell has won fans with a handful of provocative albums that helped make him an exciting figure on the…