On this show music from Wadada Leo Smith, Steve Smith, Jason Kush, Vince Ector, Nick McLean, Chris Alford, Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke and Astrocolor.
Wadada Leo Smith Orange Wave Electric – Ntosake – Fire Illuminations (Kabell Records)
Throughout 2022, Wadada Leo Smith celebrated his 80th birthday with one of the most prolific and creative year’s worth of releases in his – and perhaps anybody’s – history to date. Lest anyone should imagine that this breathtaking run was in any way valedictory, the now 81-year-old Smith returns with his first of several planned releases for 2023. The exhilarating Fire Illuminations, due out March 31, 2023 on Smith’s own Kabell Records label, features his newly assembled ensemble Orange Wave Electric. “Assembled” is the operative word in this case, as Smith recorded the album in a series of sessions and configurations, compiling the final product through extensive post-production. He had an embarrassment of riches to work with: Orange Wave Electric is an all-star electric band including guitarists Nels Cline, Brandon Ross and Lamar Smith; bassists Bill Laswell and Melvin Gibbs; electronic musician Hardedge; percussionist Mauro Refosco; and drummer Pheeroan akLaff.
Steve Smith and Vital Information – Darn That Dream – Time Flies (Wounded Bird Records)
Drummer Steve Smith has led his jazz group Vital Information since 1983, making his new release TIME FLIES the 40th Anniversary recording. Smith, the former drummer for the iconic rock band Journey, has won multiple Modern Drummer Magazine readers polls including Top 25 Drummers of All Time, #1 All-Around Drummer for five consecutive years, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. TIME FLIES debuts the new Vital Information with Manuel Valera on keyboards and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Releases May 5th.
Jason Kush – Hasty J – Finally Friday (MCG Jazz)
Jason Kush – tenor saxophone, Alton Merrell – piano, Jeff Grubbs – bass,
David Glover – drums.
Released March 3rd
Vince Ector Organatomy Trio + – South Philly Groove – Live At The Side Door
This is the newest release from esteemed jazz drummer and composer Vince Ector. A follow up to the critically acclaimed Theme For Ms.P, this album captures the stellar Philadelphia bred/NY based jazz outfit’s January 2020 performance at the iconic Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, CT.
Vince Ector – Drums
Justin Jones – Saxophone
Paul Bollenback – Guitar
Pat Bianchi – Organ
Nick Maclean Quartet – Verboten – Single (Browntasaurus)
The third single from the forthcoming album Convergence. Nick Maclean – Piano, Brownman Ali – Trumpet, Ben Duff – Bass, Jacob Wutske – Drums. Hints of Freddie Hubbards Red Clay.
Chris Alford – Acoustic : For Paul Bley – Solo Analog Guitar (Self Released)
Solo Analog Guitar features acoustic, electric, and resonator guitars with no effects other than an analog fuzz pedal on a few tracks. Each piece is dedicated to an artist that has profoundly inspired Alford. This album represents some of his most visceral and spirited playing on record to date and often deals with sustained density, language posturing and his own personal liberated chroma harmonic sense.
Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke – I Miss You – Lean In (Edition Records)
A long-awaited collaboration between GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and acclaimed guitarist Lionel Loueke, ‘Lean In’ tells the story of 20 years of connection, inspiration and friendship between two musical soulmates.
Astrocolor – Singularity – Moonlighting : Astro Jazz Vol. 1
Named Instrumental Artist of the Year at the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards, Astrocolor blend elements of jazz, psychedelia, and electronica – resulting in an experimental genre of their own cosmic invention, aptly dubbed “AstroJazz.”
The new album Moonlighting – AstroJazz Vol.1 iimagines an exploratory trip into deep space, combining improvised experimentalism with hypnotic repetition that recalls the influence of late 90s electronic acts like Air, St. Germain, and Massive Attack
Wadada Leo Smith Orange Wave Electric – Tony Williams – Fire Illuminations (Kabell Records)
Steve Smith and Vital Information – What Is Thing Called Love – Time Flies (Wounded Bird Records)
Vince Ector Organatomy Trio + – Love Won’t Let Me Wait – Live At The Side Door
Jason Kush – With Thoughts Of Agnes – Finally Friday (MCG Jazz)
Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke – Nonvignon – Lean In (Edition Records)
Astrocolor – Dimension Four – Moonlighting : Astro Jazz Vol. 1
Chris Alford – Acoustic : For Derek Bailey – Solo Analog Guitar (Self Released)
Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke – Akwê – Lean In (Edition Records)
Different Noises 