The American Jazz Institute presents Mark Masters Ensemble “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” Capri Records cd
Arrangements (arguably “recompositions”) by Masters of Mingus and Mulligan material. A real showcase for the system–superb engineering.
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Portugese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado Love Ghosts in a trio form with bassist Goncalo Almeida and drummer Onno Govaert. This free session reminds me vaguely of Albert Ayler’s trio work with Gary Peacock and Sunny Murray.
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Patricia Brennan Septet Breaking Stretch yet another fine Creative Music release from Patricia, featuring Adam OFarrill, Mark Shim, Jon Irabagon, Kim Cass, Maricio Herrera, and Marcus Gilmore.
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To have heard Jason perform this live at the 2024 Hyde Park Jazz Festival was beyond belief. Such energy and precision!
As it is Hamid Drake’s 70th birthday August 3, this year the 2025 Hyde Park Jazz Festival has a 70th Birthday Celebration planned with Ari Brown, Jason Adascewicz, and Joshua Abrams.
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Latest release ‘Holy Mountains’ by Rob Mazurek and Exploding Star Orchestra. Lots of vocalization/singing on this one that doesn’t completely overshadow the wonderful electronics/big-band compositions.
Rob Mazurek trumpet, horn, percussion, musical direction
Chad Taylor drums
Damon Locks voice, electronics
Guilherme Granado sampler, keyboards, percussion
James Brandon Lewis tenor saxophone
Luke Stewart double bass
Mikel Patrick Avery electronic drums
Pasquale Mirra vibraphone
Philip Somervell piano
Rodrigo Brandão voice
Thomas Rohrer rabeca, soprano saxophone
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Wonderful, challenging 2024 cd from saxaphonist Anna Webber, probably my favorite of hers.
Anna Webber - tenor sax, flute, bass flute
Adam O’Farrill - trumpet
Mariel Roberts - cello
Elias Stemeseder - synthesizer
Lesley Mok - drums
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I really like it, but on first listen it took a bit to really appreciate it. James Brandon Lewis is stellar on it. I received a pre-release digital access that included no info regarding line-up etc. So thanks for posting. I’d like to see the label release it as a CD. Personally, I like Damon Locks vocalizations, and treatments. Easier to relate to live. Afterburn (Parable 400) is a stand-out, as the album starts to come together at this point.
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Defiant Life Wadada Leo Smith Vijay Iyer, released on ECM LP 2840. This performance is very introspective, and quiet. The recording is great and the sonics hold up to the artists performance. It is critical that the playback format respect the artists intent, and in this case the EU LP pressings I have tried have enough surface noise to distract from the performance. A shame IMO. I’ve tried two different LPs to no avail. I intend to return the second LP as well, forging the LP format in this case and will rely on streaming this important performance. 
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I would always search out German pressings of ECM records. I agree the latest versions have been disappointing re. Surface noise/pressing issues.
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‘Glints’ - a fairly recent vinyl-only release that is part of a 5-album set that documents a series of concerts by John Butcher and invited guests…to celebrate Butcher’s 65th birthday. Really fine improv playing and excellent sound quality. Vinyl is dead quiet, which is really nice because this music has a lot of dynamic range.
Magda Mayas piano
John Butcher tenor and soprano saxophones
Tony Buck drums
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Recent reissue of this classic, and after whingeing about noisy ECM vinyl I will admit this copy sounds great.
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Dipping back into this great set, listening to the ‘alternate takes’ tracks.
Art Blakey, Kenny Burrell, Ben Tucker, Bobby Timmons, Tina Brooks.
Good grief.
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“Alexis Cole Sings Pepper Adams–I Carry Your Heart” Motema cd
Arranged By – Jeremy Kahn
Bass – Dennis Carroll
Drums – George Fludas
Lyrics By – Barry Wallenstein
Music By – Pepper Adams
Piano – Jeremy Kahn
Tenor Saxophone – Eric Alexander, Pat LaBarbera
Vocals – Alexis Cole
“The world premiere recordings of Pepper Adams ballads paired with lyrics.”
Recorded by John Larson and Vijay Tellis-Nayak at Transient Sound, Chicago - May 24-25, 2011.
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Big Pepper Adams fan here, Lonson.
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