For the first month of 2023, San Antonio-based writer and radio host Anthony Dean-Harris takes over for another monthly round up of new jazz tracks he’s been digging – and playing…
I’ve had a busy January. I’ve had a January where I had plans to finish plans and plans to start on plans but none of those things came to fruition.
I had a January where I made lists, or thought about making lists, but perish the thought of me checking off items on them. I had a January full of new music, much to my surprise, but not enough time for me to digest it like it deserves.
Perhaps this is what my February is for– to remind me to slow down and pay attention as I plan ahead. I mean… I’ve already just gone through January.
Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter, “Boogie Down”
From: Guilty Pleasures EP
I was rather delighted with SuperBlue from last year so I’m pretty glad to see there’s another EP on the way in that same pocket. Add to that, I’m a sucker for Al Jarreau so I was definitely going to leap at playing this song on the radio.
Jonah Yano & BADBADNOTGOOD, “the ordinary is ordinary because it ordinarily repeats”
From: portrait of a dog
<a href=”https://jonahyano.bandcamp.com/album/portrait-of-a-dog”>portrait of a dog by Jonah Yano</a>
This song closes out Yano’s portrait of a dog but he’s not really on the track. This song is BBNG through and through and I like where this shows where the band is right now. It feels like a preview of coming attractions.
Bill Laurance & Michael League, “Round House”
From: Where You Wish You Were
<a href=”https://actrecords.bandcamp.com/album/where-you-wish-you-were”>Where You Wish You Were by Bill Laurance & Michael League</a>
I have been on record as not being a fan of Snarky Puppy, but I still had to put my bias aside for my latest DownBeatreview assignment to find myself pleasantly delighted by this duo release from the group’s founder and longtime playing companion. This track in particular was a highlight.
Bill Goodwin / Billy Hart w/ George Garzone, “Move”
From: Sound On Sound
This was one of the most delightful things to stroll into the radio station and find on the shelves at the start of a new year. This released in April of last year but we just got ahold of it at KRTU and I’m not going to let go for a while.
Art Ensemble of Chicago, “Funky Aeco”
From: The Sixth Decade – From Paris to Paris
<a href=”https://rogueart1.bandcamp.com/album/the-sixth-decade-from-paris-to-paris”>THE SIXTH DECADE – FROM PARIS TO PARIS by ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO</a>
I’m just amazed the Art Ensemble of Chicago are still around and I’m liking what they’re up to lately. The group continues to grow, change, and innovate, and I still don’t quite know what to do with them on the radio but I also strongly believe in the challenge.
Kendrick Scott, “What Day Is It?”
From: Corridors
Kendrick Scott has a new album coming out next month on Blue Note and that’s always something I pay attention to. He’s stripping things down to trio format for his latest one and it’s as great as always.
Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu, “Rain”
From: Connected, Vol. 1
<a href=”https://chienchienlu.bandcamp.com/album/connected”>Connected by Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu “Connected”</a>
I programmed this song into my show one weekend and then was blown away. This is a great take on SWV’s classic song, itself a reworking of Jaco Pastorius’ “Portrait of Tracy”. It’s one of those songs that excites me to play on the air.
Clarice Assad, “Milagre Do Peixes”
From: Window To The World
This song is probably my favorite song off Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer which ended up being the album I loved most discovering for myself last year. Clarice Assad’s Window To The World is a tribute album to Milton Nascimento, so it just seemed to find me at the right time in my life.
Jim Snidero feat. Kurt Rosenwinkel, “Infinity”
From: Far Far Away
It’s always good to hear Kurt Rosenwinkel, so this is a welcome delight that fits in quite well in a programming sense. This song in particular is a fun adventurous turn that works in my hours.
Per Møllehøj / Kirk Knuffke, “Just Squeeze Me”
From: S’Wonderful
This is another one of those albums that’s just perfect to find at the station at the start of a new year.
Big thanks to Anthony for putting this together.
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