One of the hottest artists in jazz these days is saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. His recordings are regarded highly, and he’s constantly evolving. Most of his recent releases have been on the Swiss Intakt label, but his latest is on Anti-, and “Eye Of I” finds JBL seeking to break away from compositional complexities to more visceral, in the moment, even singable music. “Eye Of I” is the feature album this week, but there are several other new projects that are definitely worth mentioning – from Clean Feed Records, the Swiss Day And Taxi Trio, alto player Patrick Brennan & Sonic Openings, the duo of guitarist Afonso Pais & saxophonist Tomas Marques, and the duo of free jazzers Frank Gratkowski & Simon Nabatov. Also new, Australia the duo of Alister Spence and Tony Buck,, and Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra. Top that off with a track from a recently unearthed recording of the very first Tomasz Stanko Quintet session, and then see if you can find a radio show this loaded with great music.
00:00 James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet * Jesup Wagon – Tao Forms * Lowlands of Sorrow * USA
07:00 Host speaks
09:26 James Brandon Lewis Trio * Eye of I – Anti- * Someday We’ll All Be Free * USA
14:58 James Brandon Lewis Trio * Eye of I – Anti- * The Blues Still Blossoms * USA
21:34 Antti Lotjonen Quintet East * Circus/Citadel – We Jazz * Defenestration * Finland
28:33 Host speaks
30:22 Patrick Brennan & Sonic Openings * Tilting Curvaceous – Clean Feed * Tilting Curvaceous Part 10 * Clean Feed
38:39 Matthieu Mazué Trio * We Stay Still – Self-released * Shells * Switzerland
44:53 Wadada Leo Smith ‘s Organic * Heart’s Reflections – Cuneiform * The Majestic Way * USA
54:00 Host speaks
55:35 Frank Gratkowski & Simon Nabatov * Tender Mercies – Clean Feed * Tender Mercies * Germany
1:02:07 Chris Potter * Got The Keys To The Kingdom – Edition * Klactoveedsesteene * USA
1:09:23 Host speaks
1:11:07 Sam Bardfeld * Refuge – BJU Records * Refuge * USA
1:17:12 Igor Lumpert’s Innertextures * I Am The Spirit Of The Earth – Clean Feed * Roots * Slovenia
1:24:39 Afonso Pais & Tomás Marques * The Inner Colours Of Bolin’s Outline – Clean Feed * Impro #4 * Portugal
1:31:49 Host speaks
1:33:45 Day & Taxi * Live In Baden – Clean Feed * Tall Guy Blues * Switzerland
1:41:41 Paul Williamson & The What Ifs * Keep It Simple – Self-released * Glass Half Fool * Australia
1:48:05 Elliott Levin & Hernan Hecht * Word By Any Other Name – Self-released * A Trip Of The Tongue * USA/Mexico
1:55:20 Host speaks
1:57:16 Rob Mazurek & The Exploding Star Orch. * Lightning Dreams – Intl. Anthem * White River * USA
2:03:19 Jamie Branch * Fly Or Die Live – Intl. Anthem * El Roquero Estereo * USA
2:11:22 Host speaks
2:12:06 Susan Alcorn Patrick Holmes & Ryan Sawyer * From Union Pool – Relative Pitch * Benn * USA
2:21:50 Manuel Hermia * Freetet – Igloo Records * Les Temps Des Cerises * Belgium
2:26:28 Patrick Brennan & Sonic Openings * Tilting Curvaceous – Clean Feed * Tilting Curvaceous Part 12 * Clean Feed
2:31:33 Host speaks
2:34:59 Tomasz Stanko Quintet * Wooden Music I – Astigmatic * Piece 3 * Poland
2:47:24 Dave Sewelson William Parker & Steve Hirsh * The Gate – Mahakala Music * Another Time * USA
2:51:46 Archie Shepp * The Cry Of My People – Impulse * African Drum Suite * USA
2:59:48 Host speaks
3:00:57 Alister Spence & Tony Buck * Mythographer – Alister Spence Music * Put To Sea * Australia