NYC

The twitterverse is getting crowded, here are some of our latest finds: @Western Vinyl label home to Balmorhea, Composer @Rhys Chatham, @Sawako, @Hypnotic Brass Band, @Pauline Oliveros

One of the most advanced new generation jazz composer/players is undoubtedly NYC’s Steve Lehman. In fact he can easily be singled out as the most exciting in recent years. His newest album Travail, Transformation and Flow on Pi Records continues to explore the idiosyncratic Lehman sound familiar from 2007’s “On Meaning“, with 8 people this time.

Continuing in the vein of the last few albums of accessible John Zorn material is Filmworks #23: El General original score to a documentary about the controversial Mexican dictator Plutarco Elias Calles from the early 20th century. El General is a welcome departure from klezmer to latino tinged music reminiscent of a cinematic and dramatic Los Cubanos Postizos mixed with The Dreamers.

The master of Hammond B3 Dr. Lonnie Smith is still rockin’ on after over 5 decades of music. In an era when most of the singer-songwriters / rock musicians get totally exhausted after a few albums, jazz musicians like Smith get more refined with age. His new record Rise Up! released this February is a testimony that showcases his immense talent and a solid effort from his six piece orchestra.

Borah Bergman’s return to ’s Radical Jewish Culture Series sees his sombre piano speak a language of its own which is impossible to translate. There’s not much to say on rational terms that the 76 year old can’t make you feel, and if you can’t feel it already there’s not much I can write for you to do so. Get inside and listen!

Master of photography, New Yorker Helen Levitt has passed away yesterday in her home in Manhattan. Two tracks from Eddie Gale’s Black Rhythm Happening, couldn’t choose which one to dedicate.

Howdy all, today’s my 30th birthday. I felt kind of solemn all the day contrary to all the msgs and phone talks, is it the big 30 syndrome?.

Thanks to the interest on No Age and Vivian Girls this year our love with lo-fi rock/pop is rekindled.