NTTR - No Time to Review

"On a Modern Genius (Vol. 1)" has garnered critical acclaim for its fresh and dynamic approach to Monk's repertoire. Reviewers highlight Cole's ability to capture Monk's spirit while infusing the pieces with his own creative flair. The inclusion of tap dancer Liberty Styles adds a unique rhythmic dimension, reminiscent of jazz's historical roots. Tracks such as "Trinkle, Tinkle" and "Rhythm-a-ning" showcase the ensemble's cohesive interplay and Cole's virtuosic saxophone performances. Heidi Vogel's rendition of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" provides a soulful contrast, enriching the album's texture. Overall, the project is praised for its inventive arrangements, exceptional musicianship, and respectful yet contemporary homage to Monk's legacy. The Guardian Review Genre : Jazz Country : UK Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 73th / 159 Highlight : Bright Mississippi Made me think of: Shabaka H...

"Apple Cores" further cements James Brandon Lewis's reputation as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. The album features his trio, with Chad Taylor on drums and Josh Werner on bass and guitar, delivering a dynamic blend of raw funk-rock riffs and complex rhythms. Tracks like "Five Spots to Caravan" pay homage to jazz legends, referencing venues like New York's Five Spot and Fort Worth's Caravan of Dreams. The trio's interplay is both fierce and nuanced, with Lewis's piercing saxophone tones leading the charge. Critics have praised the album's balance of energetic improvisation and atmospheric depth, highlighting its contribution to the evolution of jazz. jazzwise.com glidemagazine.com Genre : Jazz Country : US Final Verdict: 57% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking: 118th / 133 Highlight : Apple Cores #1 Made me think of: Kamasi Washington Shabaka Hutchings Vijay Iyer #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinni...

At nearly 90 years old, Ebo Taylor delivers a potent blend of Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat in "Ebo Taylor JID022." The album features seven tracks, each rich with vibrant horn sections, rhythmic guitars, and dynamic percussion, capturing the essence of 1970s West African music. Taylor's deep, resonant vocals, primarily in his native Akan, convey both power and emotion, particularly in songs like "Get Up" and "Obra Akyedzi." Despite health challenges, including a stroke in 2018, Taylor's influence is unmistakable, with his songwriting and vocal performances leading the ensemble. Critics have praised the album as a significant late-career achievement, highlighting its authentic sound and Taylor's enduring artistry. Pitchfork Review PopMatters Review Genre : Jazz Country : Ghana Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 54th / 132 Highlight : Obi Do Woa (If Someone Loves You) Made me think of: Fela Kuti Tony Allen Manu Dibango #newalbum ...

"Ashes to Gold" is a poignant reflection of Avishai Cohen's emotional response to the Israeli-Hamas conflict of October 2023. The album features a five-part suite that transitions from serene flute melodies to intense trumpet expressions, capturing a spectrum of emotions from hope to despair. Cohen's collaboration with pianist Yonathan Avishai, bassist Barak Mori, and drummer Ziv Ravitz results in a cohesive and introspective soundscape. The inclusion of Maurice Ravel's "Adagio assai" and "The Seventh," composed by Cohen's daughter Amalia, adds depth and personal significance to the work. Overall, "Ashes to Gold" stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst turmoil. Arts Fuse Jazz Sensibilities Jazz Views Making a Scene Big Takeover Genre : Jazz Country : Israel Final Verdict: 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 233th / 842 Highlight : Ashes to Gold (Pt. 3) Made me think of: Nils Petter Molvær Ibrahim Maalouf ...

Nubya Garcia's Odyssey is a bold evolution from her previous work, blending jazz with orchestral arrangements, dub, R&B, and more. The album, which features collaborations with artists like Esperanza Spalding and Georgia Anne Muldrow, explores rich textures and layered compositions. Tracks like “Dawn” and “We Walk in Gold” highlight the cinematic and cosmic qualities of the album, with string sections adding depth without overwhelming the jazz foundation. Garcia continues to push boundaries, combining her saxophone mastery with wide-ranging influences, creating a journey that feels introspective and expansive at once​  Clash Magazine   Music Critic   Montreal Rocks Genre : Jazz Country : UK Final Verdict: 68% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 71th / 750 Highlight : Odyssey Made me think of: Kamasi Washington Esperanza Spalding Sons of Kemet #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #NubyaGarcia #UK #LP #...

Genre : Jazz Country : UK Final Verdict: 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 107th / 493 Highlight : September Song Made me think of: Esperanza Spalding Lianne La Havas Dianne Reeves #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #ZaraMcFarlane #UK #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : US Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 198th / 418 Highlight : Boatly Made me think of: John Zorn Tortoise Charles Mingus #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #TheMessthetics&JamesBrandonLewis #US #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : Finland Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 75th / 194 Highlight : In Memory of KG Made me think of: Jukka Eskola Verneri Pohjola Ilmiliekki Quartet #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #Kaira #Finland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : Finland Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 29th / 169 Highlight : Aurora (The Dawn) Made me think of: Portico Quartet Isildurs Bane Kronos Quartet #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #TheWatercolors #Finland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : Ireland Final Verdict: 62% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 96th / 152 Highlight : This Could Be the Start of Something Big Made me think of: Stacey Kent:  Cyrille Aimée Ella Fitzgerald #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #StellaBass #Ireland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : US Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 15th / 75 Highlight : Compassion Made me think of: Avishai Cohen Chick Corea Bill Evans #newalbum #newalbum2023 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #VijayIyer #US #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : Sweden Final Verdict : 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 9th / 17 Highlight : Helsinki mun Made me think of: Sinne Eeg Cæcilie Norby Viktoria Tolstoy #newalbum #newalbum2023 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #Jazz #SannaRuohoniemi #Sweden #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Jazz Country : UK Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 359th / 818 Highlight : Mechanisms Made me think of: Ezra Collective Sons of Kemet Moses Boyd  

Bandcamp link Genre : Jazz Funk Country : US Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 57th / 649 Highlight : The Last Suppit Made me think of: Fonderia The Budos Band George Clinton  

  Genre : Modal Jazz Country : US Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 234th / 624 Highlight : When Lights Are Low (Live) Made me think of: Herbie Hancock Pharoah Sanders Charles Mingus