We're back from our extended look at Cecil Taylor's challenging music and ready for more accessible - if equally rewarding - work by various artists in the modern mainstream. There's a little bit about food, a little bit about Lovecraft, and a lot about four very fine albums that have nothing to do with either edibles or interdimensional monste ...…

Cecil Taylor has always stood somewhat uneasily outside the jazz tradition - at least from the point of view of jazz traditionalists. This episode, Mike and Pat explore his challenging, exhausting, and sometimes off-putting music - and we like to think we nailed it. Cecil Taylor – LOOKING AHEAD!; NEFERTITI THE BEAUTIFUL ONE HAS COME; NAILED; TH ...…

After a serious discussion of where and where not a samosa should be put, the boys launch into examinations of two classic jazz releases and two much more recent efforts by the second wave of "young lions". Wes Montgomery – LIVE IN PARIS THE DEFINITIVE ORTF RECORDINGS; Alice Coltrane – MONASTIC TRIO; Jon Gordon – ALONG THE WAY; J. D. Allen – RA ...…

Rump-shakin' is the order of the day when the boys check out four examples of the "party jazz" genre, with influences from New Orleans to India. Stay tuned for Mike's adventures in a lead balloon. Preservation Hall Jazz Band – THAT’S IT; Red Baraat – SHRUGGY JI; Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – HYPNOTIC JOINTS; Craig Handy – CRAIG HANDY AND SECOND LIN ...…

More cherry pickin' from polls, as the boys discuss four 2017 releases that got good notices in the jazz press. All four of these releases give the fellows warm fuzzies - of one intensity or another. Yazz Ahmed – LA SABOTEUSE; Jaimie Branch – FLY OR DIE; Courtney Pine – BLACK NOTES FROM THE DEEP; Binker and Moses – JOURNEY TO THE MOUNTAIN OF FO ...…

It's all female vocalists this time, and the conversations about sultriness get pretty deep - when they aren't painfully shallow. Rene Marie – VERTIGO; Sophie Milman – MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY; Monica Zetterlund with the Bill Evans Trio – WALTZ FOR DEBBIE; Cecile McLoren Salvant – DREAMS AND DAGGERS.

To put Louis Armstrong into context, Mike leads Pat kicking and screaming through recordings by five of Louis' contemporaries. Who can redeem the period's vocalizin'? Boswell Sisters to the rescue. Henry “Red” Allen – CHRONOLOGICA L CLASSICS 1929-1933; King Oliver - KING OLIVER AND HIS ORCHESTRA 1929-1930; Oscar “Papa” Celestin/Sam Morgan – THE ...…

It's a whole episode dedicated to the great Louis Armstrong's 1930's Decca tracks in all their glory and strangeness. Skeletons in the closest will boogie before all's said and done, and Mike will flex his cultural studies chops more than once. Plus a look at some of the biggest pop stars of the last decade and Bryan Ferry. Louis Armstrong: THE ...…

Sometimes we get review copies - sometimes we talk about them. Four youngish artists with quite recentish releases go under the microscope. Then, pop matters is all about the fab four and the very un-fab Sgt. Peppers movie.

Together at last, the boys talk a random assortment of jazz releases and then get to the nitty-gritty: what did Mike think of Hamilton and what is going on in the apartment beneath him? Juli Wood – SYNKKA METSA; Alex Sipiagin – RETURNING; The Necks – SILVERWATER; Vienna Art Orchestra – DUKE ELLINGTON’S SOUND OF LOVE.…

Mike's laid up sick, so Pat whips up a "bonus" episode on Duke Ellington's suites. Did Ellington write a twenty-minute, six-movement suite just to get into Queen Elizabeth II's royal knickers? No way of knowing, but it's fun to speculate. Duke Ellington – SUCH SWEET THUNDER, QUEEN’S SUITE, FAR EAST SUITE, NEW ORLEANS SUITE.…

We depart from our usual format to offer an interview with saxophone player and composer Charles McPherson. Charles discusses an early encounter with Charlie Parker, lessons from Barry Harris, a wild first night employed by Charles Mingus, what bebop means to him, and several other topics. We don't focus on particular albums, but Charles recomm ...…

It's a podcast first - Pat votes to ban a jazz musician from further discussion. Who's the lucky winner? Plus, if you're patient enough, Mike talks hats and gropers. Gregory Porter – MEET ME IN THE ALLEY, NAT “KING” COLE & ME; Kamasi Washington – HARMONY OF DIFFERENCE; Matt Wilson – HONEY AND SALT.

It's the podcasts' fifth anniversary so the albums discussed feature quintets. Laughs, insights, and just a few sentimental moments as the boys contemplate this milestone. Oh, and they rant about Microsoft just a little bit. Ronald Shannon Jackson – SHANNON’S HOUSE; Oliver Lake – PROPHET; Jimmy Lyons – GIVE IT UP; Kenny Cox – INTRODUCING KENNY ...…

Thelonious Sphere Monk turns one-hundred this year, which is approximately the number of albums based on his music released each year. Mike and Pat discuss the master's recently unearthed sound track to Dangerous Liaisons and three fairly recently tribute albums to his deathless music. Thelonious Monk - LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES; (Plays Monk) – ...…

Mike and Pat welcome special guest Eric Allen, co-author of 50 Years at the Village Vanguard – Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and discuss the book along with early recordings by the band and a couple other seventies big bands. All three agree - ain't no way Pat's letting Maynard Ferguson into his blanket fort. Thad Jones ...…

In this banger, Ethan Iverson's "Do the Math" blog inspires Mike and Pat to explore the early years of pianist Geri Allen's career. Pat keeps confusing Ethan with Allen, while Mike illustrates Melanie Klein's "good bassist / bad bassist theory" in his discussion of Geri's appearance in two trio super-groups. Geri Allen - THE PRINTMAKERS, TWYLIG ...…

Mike leads us back, back, back into the wilds of pre-LP jazz as we discuss Bud Powell, Mary Lou Williams, and Tadd Dameron. Then Pat goes and ruins it with a selection from Ferit Odman, who at least had the decency to keep it all-analog. Mary Lou Williams – ZODIAC SUITE; Tadd Dameron – COMPLETE CAPITOL AND BLUE NOTE RECORDINGS OF FATS NAVARRO A ...…

In this follow-up to the epic "lite jazz" explorations of episode 63, the boys look at three whistle-stops on the Soul train line, and check out a foundational document of lite jazz by George "Pencil-Stash" Benson. Grover Washington Jr. – SOULBOX; Hank Crawford – DON’T YOU WORRY ‘BOUT A THING; George Benson – BREEZIN’; David Sanborn – VOYEUR.…

Two avante garde guitars two generations apart are the focus this time, as Mike and Pat look at releases from Sonny Sharrock and Mary Halvorson. Plus, Mike unloads on Pat for his Beach Boys obsession. Sonny Sharrock – GUITAR, ASK THE AGES; Mary Halvorson – MELTFRAME; Tomeka Reid Quartet – SELF TITLED.…

You can make all sorts of connections among the four selections discussed in this episode, but Pat & Mike aren't about trying too hard. Listen as Ambrose Akinmusire (and Stan Getz) enter the ranks of artists "lucky" enough to be discussed three times on this venerable show. Stan Getz – SWEET RAIN; Ambrose Akinmusire – A RIFT IN DECORUM – LIVE A ...…

Peripatetic Pat is in a grumpy mood this episode and can only find a spot of warmth in his cold cold heart for one of the four vocal selections covered. Why can't he not worry and be and/or get happy? Mike has one word for him: Zundoko! Norah Jones – DAY BREAKS; Pink Martini – GET HAPPY; Bobby McFerrin – SPIRITYOUALL; Madeleine Peyroux – SECULA ...…

Mike and Pat welcome special guest Brent Laidler to discuss his album No Matter Where Noir. Brent plays guitar on the album but he also wrote and arranged the pieces, many of which normal human beings can hum. Brent Laidler - NO MATTER WHERE NOIR; Yuji Ohno – LUPIN THE THIRD JAZZ

Listener suggestions guide the boys this time, with jazz inflected rock and camp infected jazz filling the playlist. Bettye LaVette - INTERPRETATIONS: THE BRITISH ROCK SONGBOOK; Frank Zappa - MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE; Joni Mitchell – MINGUS; Ed Palermo Big Band - THE GREAT UNAMERICAN SONGBOOK

The forecast for this cast is . . . well, we're doing a show about four alto sax players named Sonny. Make your own meteorological joke. Sonny Stitt – REARIN’ BACK/ TRIBUTE TO ELLINGTON; Sonny Fortune – SERENGETI MINSTREL; Sonny Criss – SONNY’S DREAM; Sonny Simmons – BURNING SPIRITS.

What do John Pizzarelli, Sun Ra, Jack DeJohnette and Brandford Marsalis have in common? You tell us. We spread the joy and opprobrium in equal measure this time, with kudos for Marsalis, Elling and . . . Sting? and clipped wings for Pizzarelli's all-McCartney effort. John Pizzarelli – MIDNIGHT MCCARTNEY; Sun Ra – THE SINGLES (Evidence 2D); Jack ...…

Arthur Blythe was Columbia's last major "out" signing, and he gets the full episode treatment now that he's playing with the angels. Horace Tapscott – THE GIANT HAS AWAKENED; Arthur Blythe –LENOX AVENUE BREAKDOWN, LIGHT BLUE; Roots - STABLEMATES. Plus, Pat misses by that much on all four selections of the Mike-citement meter.…

After a quick rant / mission statement re: this very podcast to which you're listening, Mike and Pat discuss child prodigies, Bowie sidekicks, french violinists, and a cast of dozens more. Now put that harmonica down and step away from it slowly! Joey Alexander – MY FAVORITE THINGS; Bruno Vansina - THE MORNING FOREST (AKA NOSE UP BOTTOM DOWN); ...…

Mike and Pat let the snark fly as they take on three vocal albums and one hippity-hop effort with Yakuza connections (allegedly). Al Jarreau – LOOK TO THE RAINBOW; Somi – LAGOS MUSIC SALON; Robert Glasper – ART SCIENCE; Toshinori Kondo – KI-OKU. The show begins and ends with a heartfelt request for podcast topics from our listeners, so please c ...…

Lionel Richie got nothing on Sonny Rollins - as we learn from Newk's 15 minutes solos on the incredible (and sometimes exhausting) Complete Village Gate release, he sure can keep it going all night long. Branford M. solo and Dexter Gordon chip in to provide context and Pat rants about the movie Sing. Branford Marsalis – IN MY SOLITUDE; Dexter G ...…

Mostly new stuff . . . mostly jazz. Like most of our podcasts, mostly great! Theo Croker – ESCAPE VELOCITY; Thundercat - DRUNK; Fred Hersch / Julian Lage – FREE FLYING; John Scofield – PAST PRESENT.

Collaboration is the name of the game, whether small groups mixing it up or big thinkers painting on bigger canvases. Pop matters is more expansive than usual, so any way you slice it, lots of bastardy to enjoy. Jason Moran – ALL RISE; Stanley Clarke – D STRINGS; THE BAD PLUS JOSHUA REDMAN; John Hollenbeck – SONGS I LIKE A LOT.…

It's Mike's turn to rant as he complains about the state of ECM - the storied jazz label based in Germany - and then both boys dig into a buffet of recent releases, some more echo-y than others. Kenny Wheeler – SONGS FOR QUINTET; Keith Jarrett – CREATION; Jakob Bro – GEFIEN; Tim Berne – YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING ME.…

Mike's picking all the selections tonight and Pat's picking fights with everyone in sight - Lutherans, banjoists, people who don't 'get' Stairway to Heaven . . . Looks like a caffine intervention may be the only way out. David Sanchez – OBSESION; Tord Gustavson – WHAT WAS SAID; David Sanborn – TIME AND THE RIVER; Chick Corea / Bela Fleck – TWO…

Pat's been combing through the bins and another episode focusing on the black stuff results. Also, he almost convinces Mike that irreputable is a real word. Stone Alliance – STONE ALLIANCE; Jane Ira Bloom – MIGHTY LIGHTS; Hannibal Marvin Peterson – NAIMA; Jeff Parker – THE NEW BREED; Los Admiradores - BONGOS, FLUTES, GUITARS.…

Third time's a charm - we've finally completed and posted the big-band podcast we attempted twice in ancient 2016. Here we discuss the final winners of the 2015 Downbeat critic's poll winners and the etiquette for podcast seances. Darcy James Argue – REAL ENEMIES; Maria Schneider – THE THOMPSON FIELDS; Michael Formanek – THE DISTANCE; Theloniou ...…

Mike and Pat catch up on a couple of quartets missed on the fourth anniversary show and a couple more poll winners from 2015. Their pledge - this year we make up our own stinkin' list of 2016 releases to cover (by stealing from other lists, naturally). Tom Harrell – FIRST IMPRESSIONS; Henry Threadgill – IN FOR A PENNY, IN FOR A POUND; Harold La ...…

OK, this one's kind of weird. What if a band called Mostly Other People Do the Killing did a note for note remake of Kind of Blue? What if Pat and Mike pondered it for a fairly long time? What if postmodernism is kind of spent at this point? Tune in to find out. Miles David - KIND OF BLUE, Mostly Other People Do the Killing - BLUE.…

Christmas cheer is in somewhat short supply as the boys consider five more holiday recordings (check out Ep. 54 for their previous plunge into the holiday well). Does Pat have a record-store masochism problem? You be the judge. Bing Crosby – MERRY CHRISTMAS, Diana Krall – CHRISTMAS SONGS, Kenny Burrell – HAVE YOURSELF A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS, Ramse ...…

Sometimes, when a computer and a piece of software just can't get along anymore, they have what's called a "malfunction." Who gets hurt the most? The podcasters, of course, After two valiant attempts at recording 105, the boys give up. At Mike's suggestion, then, a "make-up" cast starring Pat and only Pat on the joys of jazz and vinyl. Regular ...…

It's been four years, and Mike and Pat celebrate by discussing some out of the way quartet music - and trying to determine which jazz quartets were the greatest of all time. Throw in some political commentary and missed programming communication, and you've got an anniversary blowout! Hollywood Sax Quartet – JAZZ IN HOLLYWOOD; Bartosz Dworak – ...…

The boys look at two more poll winners, a recent jazz trio album, and a historic reissue of a white house concert. Fond memories of seventies' odes to automotive cleanliness ensue. Christine McBride – LIVE AT VILLAGE VANGUARD; Eri Yamamoto – LIFE ; Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett– WHITE HOUSE SESSIONS – LIVE 1962; Steve Coleman – SYNOVIAL JOINTS.…

Mike and Pat cover two albums from Down Beat's Critics Poll winners of 2015 and two albums that should win a poll for "most seventies ever." Charles Lloyd – I LONG TO SEE YOU, WILD MAN DANCE; Nat Adderley – SOUL ZODIAC; Cannonball Adderley – LOVE, SEX AND THE ZODIAC

Mike and Pat explore albums from a recent Jazz Times list of forgotten fusion gems. Unfortunately a bad sign influences the proceedings and Nat Adderley's Soul Zodiac has to be put off until next episode. Gary Burton – DUSTER, COUNTRY ROADS AND OTHER PLACES; Larry Coryell – INTRODUCING THE ELEVENTH HOUSE; Dave Liebman – LOOKOUT FARM.…

It's all about the loneliness of the solo jazz man this time, as Mike and Pat take a listen to some solo recitals by unlikely instruments. Trombone? Alto Saxophone? Acoustic Bass? Drums (and things)? You get the idea. Anthony Braxton – FOR ALTO; Albert Mangelsdorff – TROMBONELINESS; Han Bennink – NERVE BEATS; Dave Holland – ONES ALL…

The boys take a quick trip through the tragically short career of Thomas Chapin, an inside/outside sax and flute player whose flame burned brightly and briefly. Then Mike complains about Kate Bush for a while. Thomas Chapin – NEVER LET ME GO – DISC 2; THIRD FORCE; Peggy Stern – THE FUSCHIA; Holly Hofmann – LIVE AT BIRDLAND.…

It's a Naked City Du-fecta as Mike and Pat discuss the work of some downtown New Yawk post-modernists and fondly recall their youth. John Zorn – NAKED CITY; Bill Frisell – TRIO LIVE; Uri Caine – THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS; Tom Waits – RAIN DOGS.

Peter Gunn sparked a TV-Detective-Show-With-Jazz-Soundtrack craze, and Mike and Pat plunge into the murky depths of late fifties' jazz and existentialist philosophy to find out just what happened. Sometimes the naked city just isn't pretty. Warren Barker – 77 SUNSET STRIP; Henry Mancini – MORE MUSIC FROM PETER GUNN; Johnny Williams – CHECKMATE; ...…

Back to the origins of jazz guitar we go, checking out some acoustic luminaries and an electric pathfinder. The introduction of the Mike-citement meter makes this a very special episode indeed. Eddie Lang/Joe Venuti – VOLUME ONE; Lonnie Johnson – STEPPIN' ON THE BLUES; Django Reinhardt – THE CLASSIC EARLY SIDES, VOL 2; Charlie Christian – COMPL ...…

Shut yo mouth! We're just talking about Freddie . . . Hubbard that is, whose career stretches from Blue Note hard bop to CTI funk to mainstream jazz and ends on a blue note when the brass-playing Icarus splits his lip. Eric Dolphy - OUT TO LUNCH; Freddie Hubbard - READY FOR FREDDIE, RED CLAY, ABOVE AND BEYOND; Herbie Hancock - VSOP QUINTET.…