New Albums - Page 124

What was once an Allman Brothers Band bootleg is now a more official release, called Live From A&R Studios. While the August 26, 1971 live, in-studio performance broadcast on New York’s WPLJ radio has long circulated as a bootleg, the new release’s sound quality sets it apart, having been remixed from the original multi-track studio recording. The record also features...

Prolific bassist Anthony Jackson, particularly well known for his contrabass playing, has again collaborated with Japanese pianist/composer Hiromi and drummer Simon Phillips on Hiromi’s 10th album, Spark. The trio has played and recorded together for five years, with Spark being its fourth album. The collaboration may last for awhile, according to Jackson (Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Chick Corea, The O’Jays)....

Sometimes, those long-lost albums are actually released. Case in point: Mike & The Melvins’ Three Men and a Baby. The album, from bassist/vocalist Mike Kunka (godheadSilo, Enemymine) and The Melvins, who toured together in 1998 and decided to record an album together in 1999. A great number of things – everything from whooping cough to gear theft to surgery, according...

Jazz bassist/composer Yiorgos Kostopoulos has released his debut solo album, Last Trip to the Moon. Born and raised in Greece, Kostopoulos studied music in his homeland and in New York City, where he now lives. Last Trip to the Moon features seven original compositions. While Kostopoulos composed the initial versions of many songs prior to moving to New York in...

Blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa’s 12th album, Blues of Desperation, sees him returning to Nashville, where he composed his previous record, 2014’s Different Shades of Blue. His bassist on the new record is Michael Rhodes, who also handled some of the bass work on Different Shades of Blue. Rhodes is a Nashville stalwart who has played with everyone from Reba McEntire,...

Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth has released its 10th studio effort, Jomsviking, named after a legendary order of viking mercenaries. Ted Lundström handles bass on the album, as he has throughout the band’s recording career. While Jomsviking, which tells a story set in the mercenaries’ world, is the band’s first concept album, it remains in familiar territory for the...

Metalcore band Asking Alexandria has released its fourth album, The Black. The record, the band’s first with new vocalist Denis Stoff, appeared on the heels of a harrowing accident involving bassist Sam Bettley, who, in March, flipped a van after blowing a tire. Bentley shared photos of the accident on Instagram, saying he was “lucky to be alive.” Check out...

Robin Trower, the guitarist known for his work in Procol Harum, his own power trio, and collaborations with Bryan Ferry and Jack Bruce, has released Where You Are Going To and announced a spring tour of the U.S. East Coast. Trower handles guitar and vocals on the record and shares bass duties with Livingstone Brown (The Climax Blues Band, Tina...

French bass player and composer Olivier Babaz has released his third trio album, Odd Light, with guitarist Francois Jalbert and drummer Mark Nelson. The album, a follow up to Midnight Caffeine (2012) and Virages (2014), explores textures and architectures in a space where jazz, world music, folk and progressive rock intersect. A grant from the Montreal (Canada) Arts Council and...

Renowned jazz bassist Brian Bromberg is back with Full Circle, his first album since 2012. In the interim between albums, Bromberg suffered an injury that left him with a back broken in two places and requiring rehabilitation to be able to walk. Full Circle is a testament to his recovery. A desire to play music with his late father, a...

Bassist and composer Marcos Varela’s new album, San Ygnacio, has already garnered a four-star review from All About Jazz. Varela, who was born in Texas, but has been a New York jazz fixture for more than a decade, explores his heritage on San Ygnacio. “San Ygnacio is a rare mixed bag disc that works exceedingly well,” the All About Jazz...

Norwegian progressive metal outfit Circus Maximus has released its fourth studio effort, Havoc. “Metaphorically, it’s about succumbing to fire and striving to cope with the aftermath of decisions when overshadowed by the love we have for others and ourselves,” according to guitarist and producer Mats Haugen. Havoc is the first release since 2012’s Nine for the band, which features founding...