It is remarkable how people and places from one’s past may become intertwined down the line. The Chicago based pianist and composer Stu Mindeman spent his toddler years in Chile. As an adult Mindeman revisited Chile, became tied to the culture, and decided to embark upon a project celebrating Chile’s musicians and legendary wordsmiths on his new recording, Woven Threads.

Scientists spend long hours investigating their passions, delving into the complex details of their research in pursuit of new knowledge. In a science fair, they demonstrate their findings, making them accessible and even fun. As a combustion reaction generates heat and light, a similar reaction happens between sound and movement. With the wonder of kids making a baking soda volcano, drummer Allison Miller and pianist Carmen Staaf combine bold musical concepts, tremendous collaborators, and a passion to challenge and explore into an eruption of energy on their fantastic new recording, Science Fair.

It’s almost trite to mention the indelible mark that saxophonist Charlie Parker left on the world of culture at large, and more specifically with the practitioners of jazz, the music that he redefined. In the years since his death, his music has been covered incessantly, which in many ways, has robbed the music of its essential vitality. One solution to this ubiquitous problem lies in the stunning invention of the NYC based quartet Walking Distance and their second album, Freebird, which features the resplendent piano playing of Jason Moran on a number of tracks.

An oft-repeated piece of musical lore states that the great composer/arranger Duke Ellington wrote music specifically for the individuals in his orchestra. His knowledge of their musical lineage, strengths and weaknesses allowed him to customize parts for each voice. Pianist and composer Andy Milne takes this principle a step further on his new recording, The Seasons of Being. Applying the principles of homeopathic diagnosis, Milne generates an optimized environment for improvisation for his long running Dapp Theory ensemble and a host of special guests.

A true gauge of a musician’s ability is in how he or she interprets a piece of a genre’s canon. In the jazz world, there are decades’ worth of standards and classic repertoire that are ripe for adaptation. But the ability to excite and challenge listeners comes not only from technical prowess and musical recall, but from the specific approach to reinterpretation, which favors those who prefer a more adventurous approach.

Digitally remastered reissue of this album by the ground-breaking Japanese electronic trio. Now this album is something different! Filled with humor, catchy commercial tunes, instrumentals and computerized vocals. It's the order in the chaos as we would be used to with YMO. Xoo Multiplies was released in 1980 as an EP, YMO took a break from their serious side and decided to have a go with a more poppy sound mixed with humor and fun. Still, having said this, Xoo Multiplies is phenomenally played! Don't be fooled, this album is still The Yellow Magic Orchestra and will make you want get up and dance to 'The Number One Dance Band In Tokyo'!

Digitally remastered edition of this album by the Japanese electronic pop band. 1981 was a groundbreaking year for the music industry. By releasing BGM and Technodelic in one year, YMO made a shift happen in pop music. YMO introduced a new way of using samples and loops by cutting soundbites into fragments and reprogramming them with newly available computer technology. Technodelic is far more experimental then previous albums, and at the same time this fifth album is more minimalistic and full of funk and soul. Having released this much loved album, YMO remain remarkable and insanely great at inventing new ways of looking at compositions and creating a whole new music scene at the same time. Food for thought: if Technodelic wasn't this great, what would the dance music scene sound like today?

Digitally remastered reissue of this album by the ground-breaking Japanese electronic trio.

On their fourth album BGM (1981), YMO continued where they left off with Xi Multiplies, by venturing further into synthesizers, drum computers and experimentation with rhythm, sequences and speeds. "1000 Knives" and "Cue" are the most famous; 'The Hand Clap' on "1000 Knives" is probably one of the most used samples in the '80s, early '90s.

Phalanx Ambassadors is the latest release from pianist/keyboardist/composer Matt Mitchell, whom Will Layman in PopMatters calls “the most complete and well-integrated improvising pianist of the last 15 years.” He also called his prior release, A Pouting Grimace (Pi 2017), “brilliant and varied… animated by breathtaking compositional imagination and startling arrangements.” Phalanx Ambassadors similarly features works that burst forth with intricate detail, featuring precise execution of multi-layered rhythmic material, adventurous harmonic exploration and otherworldly melodies. While rigorously structured, the music also leaves ample room for intertwining improvisation.