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Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White – “Forever”Concord Records-out tomorrow3.5 / 5 There’s just such a breezy way that Chick Corea dabbles on those ivories that, we’re certain, melts even the un-jazziest of hearts. And on this reunion album-slash-tour of his eternal Return to Forever band, it’s all there: drummer Lenny White, bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke (btw, check out his “School Days”), and some jazz/ RTF standards (plus a handful of new ones). Replete with guests (Jean-Luc Ponty, “Upon the Wings of Music” for one), this album can’t help but to measure itself again the catalog of 70s releases, and in that respect, “Forever” stillRead More →

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White Denim – “D”Downtown-out now4 / 5 We never realized how much we loved White Denim’s previous “Fits”; their wild, rambunctious sense of punk and pop ignites like a wildfire. And here, on D, there is a sense that some of the fire has died down a bit: no worries, though, because the wild half-yelling has been replaced with thoroughly impressive instrumentals. Think of it more as an exchange: the jarring punk aspects have matured into a more melodic, more assured sense of song structure. You will like this album, that much is sure; but will you love it, will you devote your waking momentsRead More →

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The Civil Wars – Barton HollowSensibility Music-out now4 / 5 There is little as refreshing as an intimate male/female duet; Swell Season knows it, and Fleetwood Mac certainly knew it. Joy Williams and John Paul White must sense something special in their debut studio LP, because without flash and without pomp, we can say “Barton Hollow” is a delightful, gorgeous slice of Americana. Their romantic tracks here are pared down, sporting rhythmic guitar and sometimes banjo/piano, because who wants to hear anything else when the vocals are so soothing and beautiful? We dig the title track especially, but there’s nary a weak one here, whichRead More →

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Bela Fleck and the Flecktones – “Rocket Science”Entertainment One Music-out now3.5 / 5 After an excruciating, nearly twenty-year hiatus, self-described blu-bop quartet the Flecktones have released another space-themed dozen tracks, seemingly from out of that same inky nowhere. For those stranded under a rock these past few decades, the best way to describe the Flecktones may well be this: add one part world-renowned banjo master (Mr. Fleck), one part bass virtuoso (Victor Wooten, ever happy to hear), harmonica and crazy futuristic drummer, and shake together with a tinge of world/jazz/bluegrass fusion; the result is one of the lightest, most talented groups you’re likely to findRead More →