Melissa Aldana, Echoes of the Inner Prophet
The Inner Prophet, Aldana says, is her own self, now older, and with a clear direction of what her true path is. True to the title, Aldana’s latest album is an 8-track journey into the musical unknown. The second album in her Blue Note catalog, the Chilean-born Saxophonist takes her Wayne Shorter influences to the max with solos characterized as introspective.
Charles McPherson, Reverence
Performing with Charles Mingus & Barry Harris, Saxophonist, Charles McPherson honored Harris on his newest album – showing reverence to his former bandmate. Recorded live at New York's Smoke Jazz club, the album features the quintet of Terell Stafford (Trumpet), Jeb Patton (Piano), David Wong (Bass), and Billy Drummond (Drums). A great contemporary Bop album, McPherson performs an even more soulful rendition of “Come Rain or Come Shine,” a highlight of the album.
Cosmic Collective, Jellowstoned
Described as a “transmuting ensemble of jazz musicians” CC’s core consists of college friends, Tyler Enslow (Guitar/Bass), Nikki Michelle (Vocals) and Jed Smith (Drums). Their debut album is a mix of genres: Electric, Fusion; R&B, and includes features from Butcher Brown’s DJ Harrison (Keyboards) and Tenishu (Vocals/Rap). From Sinatra, Coltrane, even to Beyonce, CC try to cover all bases depending on their audience and whom they collaborate with.
