Something Else! Reviews

The union of four highly seasoned masters of improvisation in Ivo Perelman, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Bobby Kapp got results that matches their lofty reputations.

The Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Trios' 'We Are Here' is more than a meeting of old friends, it's a testament of the enduring attractiveness of the venerable jazz piano trio with fresh songwriting that hearkens back to beloved jazz standards.

Reactions were mixed for some reason as 'Pleasant Dreams' arrived 45 years ago today, but this stands as the Ramones' last truly great album.

'Boy George & Culture Club' is a story about identity, friendship, love, reinvention and resilience, all told by the people who lived it.

Here is "Puma and the Spider Monkey," an advance single from percussionist Mike Dillon's upcoming album 'Mike & Beignet Go to the Zoo.'

The Tonino Miano Trio’s 'MOSS/Electric' uses intuitive skills and technical abilities to make interesting music from mixing circuited technology into unplugged jazz.

Here is "The Subtext," the second advance single from the Kris Davis Trio's upcoming album 'Lost In Geneva'. This is what acoustic jazz in the 21st century when it's on its game.

Miles Okazaki's 'Boomtown' obliterates easy categorizations because he and his cohorts have both the audacity and wherewithal to make a record like this.

(feature photo provided by Peter Hum) When the Ottawa Citizen‘s Citizen’s restaurant critic and longtime editor Peter Hum is able to take time to indulge in his love for music making, it’s noteworthy because you better believe he uses his precious time to make the music count. Steps To RedemptionRead More

There's no limit to what Lewis can conceive and put into action and 'Omni' is yet another major achievement for him and his Quartet.

Here is "Melodian," a single from the upcoming album 'Transmission' by the horn-led funk-soul sextet the Huntertones.

This Hammersmith performance finally fills an important gap in Supertramp’s visual history, capturing the classic lineup at the precise moment they were conquering the world.

The dogged determination of OM can be heard within the steely music they made on 'Südpol.'

Released 50 years ago this month, 'Wild Cherry' built on the success of their chart-topping first single to become a freakingly fine funkfest.

'Steps To Redemption' makes it four winning records in a row for Ottawa's appealing pianist/composer/bandleader Peter Hum.

Duologue 6: Core of Existence by Ivo Perelman and Damon Smith Ivo Perelman’s audacious Duologues series continues his musical communions with an accomplice who, like him, plays free jazz as a deeply ingrained skill. Duologue: Core of Existence (Squid Note Records) pairs the virtuoso tenor saxophonist with Damon Smith, whoRead More

What makes Yes' 'Aurora' compelling is not that it recreates Yes' past, but that the album acknowledges what came before while moving forward.