Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Hamilton de Holanda, Collab
The unique duo of piano mandolin are the lead instruments as Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Piano) & Hamilton de Holanda (Mandolin) revel in their African heritage on their latest album, Collab. This marks their first full-length collaboration, between the Cuban pianist and Brazilian Mandolinist. Two innovators of their instruments, Rubalcaba and Holanda run through originals and covers that includes a Stevie Wonder classic bossa tinged rendition of “Don't You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”
Michael Pallas, Gateway
Like many of today’s jazz artists, often they look back to the past, and incorporate timeless idioms into their current sounds. Michael Pallas is no exception, as the powerhouse trombonist looks to make a name for himself on his debut album, Gateway. An alumni of the Jackie Mclean Institute, Pallas’ opening tune, “Life on Mars” is a catchy cubop song written for Mclean and is a blistering introduction to Pallas, who after 15 years of performing throughout the New York City jazz scene, decided to become a solo artist.
Meshell Ndegeocello, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
An album that was visualized nearly a decade ago, for Meshell Ndeheocello, her studies of James Baldwin culminated on her latest Blue Note release. The multi-instrumentalist invited a revolving door of musicians to celebrate what would have been the famed writer, poet and activist’ 100th birthday. The album’s described, all at once, as “a musical experience, a church service, a celebration, a testimonial and a call to action.”
