Review: Michael Foster’s The Ghost – The Hole

Michael Foster’s The Ghost The Hole (Tombed Visions, 2016) The Hole is the second recording of Michael Foster’s trio, The Ghost, with bassist Henry Fraser and drummer Connor Baker. If you listened to their previous recording, There’s Always A First Time For Everything, the playing on this project is much tighter. All three musicians mesh

Cisco Bradley, February 13, 2017

Review: Matthew Shipp Trio – Piano Song

Matthew Shipp Trio – Piano Song Newman Taylor Baker – Drums Michael Bisio – Bass Matthew Shipp – Piano Renowned pianist, composer and bandleader Matthew Shipp’s new full length album Piano Song is the latest in a discography that establishes him as a contemporary master of the jazz idiom. For nearly three decades Shipp has

Cisco Bradley, February 9, 2017

Review: Mary Halvorson – Meltframe

Mary Halvorson – Meltframe (Firehouse 12) A few weeks ago, something amazing happened. I closed my eyes and was transported back in time to the music of my youth: the angsty, rough edges of Nirvana, the intricate and driving rhythms of Radiohead, the dark melodicism of Muse. When I opened them again, I realized it

Cisco Bradley, February 6, 2017

Review: Michael Foster’s The Ghost – There’s a First Time for Everything

Michael Foster’s The Ghost There’s a First Time for Everything Self-released on Bandcamp and on cassette; recorded live in Philadelphia. Michael Foster is an emerging musician on the New York music scene. For the past several years, he’s been active working with his group, The Ghost. He also has a duo consisting of himself and

Cisco Bradley, January 30, 2017

Review: James Brandon Lewis Trio – No Filter

James Brandon Lewis Trio – No Filter (BNS Records, 2016) Consisting of Luke Stewart on bass, Warren G. “Trae” Crudup III on drums and bandleader James Brandon Lewis on tenor sax and vocals, the James Brandon Lewis Trio is an electrifying, forward thinking contemporary Jazz ensemble. The trio’s newest project No Filter is a forceful,

Cisco Bradley, January 23, 2017

Review: William Parker – For Those Who Are, Still

William Parker – For Those Who Are, Still (AUM Fidelity, 2015) This box set comes with three CDs (see below for full details of the contents of the CDs). The opening sounds of For Fannie Louie Hamer + Vermeer, is basically found in music from India. This goes on at length. It is more improvised

Cisco Bradley, January 19, 2017

Review: Muyassar Kurdi/Nick Jozwiak – Intersections and Variations

Muyassar Kurdi and Nick Jozwiak – Intersections and Variations   Bandcamp Release (January 1, 2017) Intersections and Variations by Muyassar Kurdi and Nicholas Jozwiak presents cutting edge sounds that will really grab your attention. The creative use of gongs, plus cello filling the air, is quite effective establishing the mood of this composition. Muyassar’s voice

Cisco Bradley, January 16, 2017