Diaspora, the second album of trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Centennial Trilogy of albums he's releasing this year, is softer than its predecessor, Ruler Rebel. It's warmer, more somber, more spacey a collection of songs, as if these songs and the extra time between notes, a less is more … [Read more...]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah – ‘Ruler Rebel’
Since time perpetually moves forward, all movement is technically forward movement. Everything is a form of progression. Experience gives texture to signature, though the elements of signature -- those attributes that define the outward expression of persona -- remain fundamentally intact because … [Read more...]
Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2015
I'm not quite sure what more I could say here about jazz in 2015. There may not have been some overarching narrative that guided how art was made and released. Some folks who have worked together for years finally released an album that said so. Some folks released large ensemble albums that made … [Read more...]
Anthony Dean-Harris’ Favorite Jazz Albums of 2015
I've been thinking more and more about rotation lately, about the boundary that music must get through in order to find its way into my phone where I listen to everything primarily, the phone an extension of myself like these devices are for us all for better and for worse. I eschew the predatory … [Read more...]
Christian Scott Live from Berklee on The Checkout Live
Seb and I were in New York City last weekend to catch Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Harlem Stage shows in support of his new album on Ropeadope, Stretch Music, among other experiences we had in the jazz mecca. It's always a fun time hanging with this band and immersing ourselves in this music. … [Read more...]