Jazz Album Reviews

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Jazz Album Reviews – Discover all the reviews of the latest jazz albums released – Contemporary, avant-garde, free, bop, experimental:

Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters

Head Hunters By Herbie Hancock: Song By Song Album Review

Herbie Hancock released Head Hunters on October 26, 1973, as their twelfth studio album. Soon after its release, Head Hunters became commercially one of the most successful albums in the era of jazz-funk and rock. The album busted like a boom to the people of the 70s. Especially those who like jazz and rock more as this album is one of the biggest hits of all time in these genres. HeadHunters hunted into billboard 200, grabbing the number 13 position. The album was like a breakthrough for Herbie and his mates.

Cecil Taylor – The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert

The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert is the full recording of the live performance Cecil Taylor gave in 1973 after a five years hiatus, for which he reunited the Unit members, Jimmy Lyons on alto saxophone and Andrew Cyrille on percussion, plus the addition of Sirone on bass. The concert was recorded at the Town Hall, New York City on November 4, 1973, and was released on February 15, 2022, on Oblivion Records.

Spam Likely by Jessica Pavone, Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel

Jessica Pavone, Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel – Spam Likely

Spam Likely is the first release by the trio made up of Jessica Pavone on viola and electronics, Lukas Koenig on drums, and Matt Mottel on keytar and three-string guitar. Spam Likely was recorded in September 2019 by John Epperly at Metropolitan Sound, in Brooklyn, New York, and it was released on September 16, 2022, via 577 Records.

John McCowen – Models of Duration

Models of Duration is a solo release by composer and clarinettist John McCowen, recorded and mixed by Randall Dunn. Models of Duration was recorded at Circular Ruin Studio, in Brooklyn, New York, on October 29 and November 1, 2020, and it was co-released by Astral Spirits and Dinzu Artefacts.

Billy Mohler – Anatomy

Anatomy is the second album by bassist Billy Mohler and his quartet, with Nate Wood on drums, Chris Speed on tenor saxophone, and Shane Endsley on trumpet. Anatomy was recorded in 2021 at Lucy’s Meat Market in Los Angeles, CA, and it will be released on June 10, 2022, on Contagious Music.

gabby fluke-mogul – LOVE SONGS

LOVE SONGS is a violin solo album by gabby fluke-mogul. It was recorded at GSI Studios in New York City, on July 22, 2021, and it will be released on June 10, 2022, by Relative Pitch Records.

Nduduzo Makhathini – In the Spirit of Ntu

In the Spirit of Ntu by Nduduzo Makhathini is the very first album released on Blue Note Africa, a subsidiary of Blue Note Records in partnership with Universal Music Group Africa. In the Spirit of Ntu follows Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds (2020, Blue Note), which was part of our Best Jazz 2020 selection.

David Murray Brand New World Trio – Seriana Promethea

When three jazz masters get stuck in South Europe due to a world lockdown, they manage to make the best out of it; they take the opportunity to play together for the first time, perform a few concerts, and crystalize this fabulous moment in a nearby studio as Seriana Promethea.

Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead – Poetic

Poetic is the third album by drummer Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead, featuring pianist Taber Gable, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, alto-saxophonist Godwin Louis, and guitarist Andrew Renfroe. Poetic was recorded at Parkville Sounds, in Hartford, Connecticut, and it was released on May 13, 2022.

Ches Smith – Interpret It Well

Interpret It Well is an album by drummer, vibraphonist, and composer Ches Smith, accompanied by guitarist Bill Frisell, violist Mat Maneri, and keyboardist Craig Taborn. Interpret It Well was recorded on October 12 and 13, 2020, by Ron Saint Germain and Ryan Streber, at Oktaven Audio, in Mount Vernon, New York, and it was released on May 6, 2022, by Pyroclastic Records.