Nubiyan Twist, Find Your Flame
Already garnering consideration as one of the best albums of 2024, 9-piece UK groove orchestra Nubiyan Twist finds their flame on their latest album. Like many of today's artists and bands that are influenced by several genres, Nubiyan Twist’s blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Afrobeat and Latin are apparent on this 12-song suite. Known for their live performances, Nubiyan Twist is able to capture the energy of being onstage into the studios, especially on their lead single “Lights Out,” featuring legendary songwriter, producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers. The album’s a non-stop groove, balanced out with vocals from the bands new vocalist, Aziza Jaye.
Kirk Whalum, Epic Cool
How can you make cool more cooler? Saxophonist Kirk Whalum’s Epic Cool finds the smooth-jazz R&B leaning musician in his element on his new album. Formerly touring and performing with Whitney Houston and Luther Vandrossfor several years, even adding a sax solo to the classic “I Will Always Love You,” Whalum’s performed in many of what now are R&B standards, and he hasn't strayed away from R&B for most of his career. Easy to listen to with infectious melodies and grooves, smooth Jazz fans will really dig Kirk’s original compositions on his Epic Cool.
Morgan Guerin, Tales of the Facade
Heralded as “wunderkind multi-instrumentalist” from the New York Times, receiving praise from Christian McBride, Jazztimes, NPR and touring with Esperanza Spalding, 26 year old Morgan Guerin has already accomplished plenty in his short career. Part album, part auto-biography, Guerin’s latest project finds him backed by some of today's top jazz musicians who are influenced through other genres outside of Jazz, with elements of spoken word and solos reminiscent of Shorter or Coltrane. Tales of the Facade is a glimpse into the mind of Guerin, still carving out his own space as an artist, but most importantly, as a human.
