Slobber Pup - Black Aces

2013 RareNoise Records

Slobber Pup conjures up the spirit of a psychedelic blues-rock jam with extended periods of full-throttle, electrified noise. Guitarist Joe Morris and keyboardist Jamie Saft lead the charge with bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Balazs Pandi. Saft relies heavily on the organ throughout, matching Morris in volume but creating textural contrasts to the guitarist's effects-driven tone that push the music into relentless hypnotic static, teetering wonderfully on the edge of sustainability.
www.rarenoiserecords.com

Aaron Lebos - Reality

2012 Self Produced

Miami-based guitarist Aaron Lebos and band create an intense, electrified approach to instrumental jazz on Reality. Lebos' music is groove-oriented with clever twists and turns and plenty of room for healthy displays of chops, from both the guitarist and keyboardist Jim Gasior. Lebos sounds his best on tunes such as "9 to 5" and "Don Zuniga"with distorted, blues inflections mixed with angular lines. Bassist Eric England and drummer Rodolfo Zuniga provide a solid foundation to this extremely hip release.
www.aaronlebos.com

Global Noize - SLY Reimagined

2013 Zoho Roots

A fun ride through the repertoire of funk pioneer Sly Stone, Global Noize, led by keyboardist/producer/arranger Jason Miles, mixes straight-up solid musicianship with ambient, electronic elements on SLY Reimagined. A handful of guest vocalists, including Roberta Flack who stands out on two different versions of "It's a Family Affair" and Falu who adds exotic, world-beat coloring enliven this diverse set. Falu's lead on "Dreams" is one of the disc's more convincing moments. Along with Miles' front-and-center keyboard textures, Tenor saxophonist Jay Rodriguez leaves his soulful R&B mark on a handful of tracks.
www.jasonmilesmusic.com
www.zohomusic.com

Nick Scott Group - Vestiges

2013 Self Produced

Toronto guitarist Nick Scott demonstrates a highly melodic approach to improvisation, enhanced by solid technical command on Vestiges, his debut as a leader. On a variety of original pieces such as the swinging "Celestial," featuring tenor saxophonist Jeff LaRochelle, the spacious ballad "Coalescence" and the Afro-Cuban-inspired "One If," Scott weaves single note lines and chord clusters gracefully into solo statements with purposeful results. Bassist Mark Godfrey and drummer Derek Gray add energetic support to this impressive outing.

Chris Potter - The Sirens

2013 ECM

The Sirens, saxophonist Chris Potter's ECM debut, takes inspiration from Homer's The Odyssey and the revelations of timelessness found within the ancient text. Potter's themes are bold and pronounced throughout, from the anthemic opener "Wine Dark Sea" to the atmospheric title track. The latter features the leader taking an emotive stance on the bass clarinet. It's tenor sax, however, that dominates the bulk of the disc with fiery twists and turns, especially on the quirky sort-of-rhythm-changes piece "Kalypso." Pianist Craig Taborn who has worked with Potter's electric band Underground is attuned to the overall vibe and contributes a string of stunning solos with the perfect mixture of technique and sensitivity, especially on "Stranger at the Gate." David Virelles adds intriguing color on a handful tracks with prepared piano, celeste and harmonium. Bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Eric Harland round out Potter's first-rate band to create a memorable work, worthy of repeated listening.
www.chrispottermusic.com

Daniel Bennett Group - Clockhead Goes to Camp

2013 Manhattan Daylight Media Group

There's a lightheartedness to Daniel Bennett's music that alludes to simplicity but upon further investigation merely conceals a string of well-conceived complexities. The alto saxophonist/composer combines a feel-good folky vibe, singable themes and strumming acoustic guitar rhythms with intense, minimalistic-inspired loops, and solos that build to intense and logical heights. Clockhead Goes to Camp is Bennett's latest and features the New Yorker on alto, clarinet and flute with guitarist Mark Cocheo, bassist Peter Brendler and drummer Tyson Stubelek. A couple of standout tracks include "Last Summer at Camp Creepy" and the unaccompanied alto solo "Sandpaper is Necessary."
http://www.danielbennettgroup.com/

Frank Wess - Magic 101

2013 IPO Recordings

What can one say about a quartet date led by an undeniable living legend in the company of a can't-miss rhythm section? The musical results of 91-year old saxophonist Frank Wess blowing over a set of choice standards and an original ballad, guided ever-so-gently by pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Winard Harper, are refreshingly predictable. Far from a back-handed compliment, Magic 101 is a documentation of pristine craftsmanship, revealing Wess as a master story teller. There's no sorcery involved in the stunning tenor-piano duet version of "Come Rain or Come Shine," or "Easy Living," featuring Harper's dazzling brush work, only camaraderie, empathy and soulfulness of the highest order.
http://frankwess.org