Cuts Open
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2021
O's Notes: Japanese percussionist Masami Akita started a noise project in 1979 and has released hundreds of recordings since and now known as Merzbow. Cuts Open is a collaboration with Hungarian drummer Balazs Pandi and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. These are abstract sounds, just four songs on two CDs but over ~40 minutes of intriguing sounds each disc. The music illustrates a very adventurous landscape. The music is sometimes harsh, sometimes eerie, sometimes scary but always intriguing. The second disc is more of a chaotic blast. Not for everybody but fans will love it.
Cool Water
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2021
O's Notes: Cool Water is a good title for this mix of mostly original, modern jazz. Murphy does a great job throughout the set providing support and tickling the ivory while leading the band. He mixes in a taste of contemporary jazz on “My Life” featuring vocals from percussionist Kaïssa Doumbe Moulongo and Ku-umba Frank Lacy. Lacy appears later singing and playing trombone on “Coolin’ Me Out”. We loved the dynamics and the bass solo from Eric Wheeler on “Free Fur Nina” and then with the bow on “Body and Soul”. We liked the spirit of the groove shining on “Cuttin’ Trane’s Corners” where drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts comes alive as well!
Get up Or Cry
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2021
O's Notes: Bassist, composer, arranger and producer Almog Sharvit resides in Brooklyn where he recorded his debut, Get Up Or Cry. His core band is a quintet with Adam O’Farrill (t), Brandon Seabrook (g, banjo), Micha Gilead (keyboards) and Lukas König (d). The music is a blend of festive contemporary pop and bluegrass with introspective, free jazz-fusion as well. Our favorite is the bouncy “We’ll Get Backed To You” in this 27-minute session.
The Unheard Mixtape 4: Isolation Blues
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2021
O's Notes: On The Unheard Mixtape 4: Isolation Blues, the theme evolves from a scene that approximates an approaching freight train. As the vision gets more lucid, the conversation is more engaging. The music is a rather solemn as the pervasive blue tones continue through the set at a relaxed tempo. This is perhaps the best of the five Mixtapes.
Keshin
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2021
O's Notes: This was recorded at the height of the pandemic as we were all mostly stuck in bubbles, unable to interact and get the social fuel we require. Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and pianist Satoko Fujii reflected on their creative energies to explode out of the darkness many felt. Tamura is blazing with some of his best clean work on “Busy Day” with Fujii similarly playing more definitive melodies as on “Donten”. That theme continues throughout the 7-song session of original music. This is the third album from the husband/wife duo during the pandemic and Keshin points towards a reincarnation indeed.