This April TNB listened to three special albums paying tribute to masters of 20th century music – Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and Anthony Braxton. To those who think making repertory albums suggest a lack of new ideas, take a listen. These records show not only passion and a deep connection to the material, but a creative approach that makes the music current and relevant. Rounding out TNB picks, we have an excellent drummer led jazz album, the belated release of the last studio album by a legendary South African pianist, an album of political string music, and some intense noise and noise rock. Enjoy!
TNB pick!
Stephanie Nilles – I pledge allegiance to the flag – the white flag
(released March 5, 2021)
Stephanie Nilles – piano and voice
Pianist and singer Stephanie Nilles interprets the music of bassist and composer Charles Mingus. April 22nd was the 99th anniversary of Mingus’ birthday, and there’s no better place to start your Mingus centennial celebration than here. Mingus’ passion resonates with the current moment – he captures the plight of the underdog and stands up to injustice. Nilles captures the Mingus magic right out of the gate in her epic reading of the protest anthem Fabels of Faubus. The performance captures the outrage, surrealism, the simultaneous embrace of the blues and the European tradition, and the drama, that all define Mingus. Both timeless and now.
TNB pick!
Pat Thomas/The Locals – The Locals Play The Music Of Anthony Braxton
(released December 17, 2020)
Pat Thomas – piano, melodica
Alex Ward – clarinet
Evan Thomas – electric guitar
Dominic Lash – electric bass
Darren Hasson-Davis – drums
Pat Thomas and his band The Locals focus on early compositions of Anthony Braxton. This from a 2006 live performance in Austria, and it comes from Thomas’ personal archive. The arrangements are by Thomas. For those who only think of Braxton’s music as dry and academic, take a listen. Wild, angular and intense – maybe danceable too! And Pat Thomas’ piano playing is something else – he’s new to me, and I’m going to have to catch up with this great talent.
TNB pick!
Miguel Zenón – Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman
(released March 12, 2021)
Miguel Zenón – alto saxophone
Ariel Bringuez – tenor saxophone
Demian Cabaud – bass
Jordi Rossy – drums
We need more repertory albums of Ornette Coleman’s music! Zenón’s approach and sound have little in common with Coleman, and this album is better off for it. Zenón says in his liner notes: “[Coleman’s] music is everlasting, and I believe that we should all consider ourselves lucky to live during a time when we could all experience Ornette’s work, from afar and up close.” Durable and effervescent.
New Muse 4tet – Blue Lotus
(released February 26, 2021)
Gwen Laster – violin, composition
Hsinwei Chiang – violin
Melanie Dyer – viola
Alex Waterman – cello
The New Muse 4tet is the project of violinist and educator Gwen Laster, who has played with everybody – the Sun Ra Orchestra, Danny Elfman, Aretha Franklin and J Lo and Shakira at President Obama’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball, just to name a few. This album features stirring string music, but made deeper by the themes of protest. “The Black Lives Matter Suite” is the center of the album, dedicated to Sandra Bland, Samuel Harrell, and the Newburgh Four, all victims of unlawful arrest, abuse or entrapment at the hands of police. Beautiful music with a righteous cause. Mingus would approve.
Florian Arbenz, Hermon Mehari, Nelson Veras – Conversation #1: Condensed
(released April 23, 2021)
Florian Arbenz – Drums
Hermon Mehari – Trumpet
Nelson Veras – Guitar
I’ve never heard Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz before, but he’s quite good – his ride cymbal swings, he packs in lots of detail, and it’s so well recorded too. You can tell right away the drummer is the leader, but the music is very strong. The first three tracks are especially striking, but don’t miss the cover of “Freedom Jazz Dance” that ends the album – the arrangement and playing are great. This is the first of 12 planned albums of “conversations” with different groups, and I’ll be checking in with future installments for sure.
Bheki Mseleku – Beyond The Stars
(released March 13, 2021)
Bheki Mseleku – piano, voice
A 2003 solo piano set recorded in London by South African expat Bheki Mseleku. The music was not released at the time, and is only coming out this year 13 years after Mseleku’s passing. Mseleku’s playing is spontaneous and shows a deep connection to the South African musical tradition. A welcome release.
Sana Nagano – Smashing Humans
(released March 19, 2021)
Sana Nagano – Violin/fx
Peter Apfelbaum – Tenor saxophone/megaphone
Keisuke Matsuno – Electric guitar
Ken Filiano – Acoustic bass/fx
Joe Hertenstein – Drums
These are musicians who take their noise very seriously. The first three tracks are especially focused and intense, with guitar, drums tenor sax and violin locking into an atonal parade march. Blistering! Also, I love the album cover.
¡FIASCO! – Post-Truth
(released February 16, 2021)
Nelson Dougherty – guitar
Andrew Frankhouse – saxophone
Stephen Arnold – bass guitar
Keith Butler Jr. – drums
Washington DC-based band led by the saxophonist and guitarist, who first recorded this quartet last year. What if Fugazi collaborated with Albert Ayler? You get the idea – a post rock free jazz mash up.
Here’s the Spotify playlist: