Welcome to the start of the weekend. What better way to start than with our selections of the best of what’s New In Music This Week: June 16th.
My Top Pick:
Contemporary Classical: JULIUS EASTMAN VOL. 3: IF YOU’RE SO SMART, WHY AREN’T YOU RICH – Wild Up (New Amsterdam Records)
Wild Up continues their multi-album series of recordings exploring and celebrating the music of Julius Eastman. Joining Wild Up for this recording are Devonté Hynes (aka Blood Orange) and Adam Tendler.
Three of Eastman’s works are performed on this album: the title track, the Moon’s Silent Modulation and Evil N–. Since so much of Eastman’s work was thrown out after his untimely death, these recordings are essential in bringing into focus what Eastman was doing. This is another fine series of performances by Wild Up of his music.
Here are our other selections of the best New In Music This Week: June 16th
Classical Music: BEETHOVEN: EMPEROR CONCERTO – Daniel Barenboim and New Philarmonia Orchestra (Warner Classics)
This is a vinyl only release of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with Otto Klemperer conducting. Warner Classics is honoring Klemperer on the 50th anniversary of his death. Digitally this album is being released today with Beethoven’s 2nd piano concerto as well.
Recorded in the late 1960s, this album reflects Barenboim’s youthful energy and Klemperer’s more studied approach. Simply put, the pairing works beautifully. It’s as if the competing styles challenged everyone involved and the end result is terrific.
Contemporary Classical: CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN COMPOSERS – Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO Resound Label)
Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in performances of works by Philip Glass, Jessie Montgomery and Max Raimi. Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone opens the album. That is followed by Three Lisel Mutter Settings by Raimi and closes with Symphony No. 11 by Glass.
Hymn for Everyone and Three Lisel Mueller Settings were both commissioned by Muti. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is the soloist for Raimi’s song cycle. When the CSO first performed Glass’s symphony in 2022 it was the first-ever performance of any of his symphonies by the orchestra.
Jazz: A TIME TO REMEMBER – Elina Duni (ECM Records)
If you ike your music beautiful and unconvenontial at the same time, you’ll want to check out this album that features the Swiss-Albanian jazz vocalist joined by guitarist Rob Luft, Flugelhorn musicians Matthieu Michel and percussionist/pianist Fred Thomas.
There are several original songs amongst the 12 tracks on A Time to Remember. There are a few traditional songs. Plus there are covers of songs by Abbey Lincoln, Sammy Fain and Stephen Sondheim.
All are beautifully sung and arranged. The simplicity with which each song reveals itself is amazing.
Jazz: ANYONE IS BETTER THAN HERE – Jeremy Dutton
My first exposure to this incredible drummer was seeing him as part of Vijay Iyer’s group at a 2019 concert. Simply put, I was blown away. Clearly others have been two given the artists he has assembled for his debut album: trumpeter Ambrose Akiknmusire, bassists Matt Brewer and Daryl Johns, guitarist Mike Moreno, vibraphonist Joel Ross and saxophonist Ben Wendell.
Dutton composed the 12 tracks on this terrific album which further cements my belief that he’s a force to be reckoned with. I strongly recommend Anyone Is Better Than Here.
Jazz: WITH PETER BRADLEY – Javon Jackson (Solid Jackson Records)
This is the soundtrack for the documentary of the same name about abstract artist Peter Bradley. Jackson, who plays saxophone, composed the score for Alex Rappoport’s 2023 film about the abstract artist who continues to paint every day even though he hasn’t had a major show in over 40 years.
The genius of what Jackson has done with this moving score is offer tributes to many of the jazz artists who inspired Bradley: Art Blakey, John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
Jackson is joined on the album by trumpeter Greg glassman, drummers Charles Goold and McClenty Hunter, pianist Jeremy Manasia and bassist David Williams.
Jazz: THE OMNICHORD REAL BOOK – Meshell Ndegeocello (Blue Note Records)
This isn’t strictly speaking a jazz album, but the depth of jazz influences on it makes it worthy of attention from jazz fans. Ndegeocello first gained prominence with her 1993 album Plantation Lullabies which featured the hit song If That’s your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night).
Since then her work has explored a variety of styles and has always been interesting. This album is no exception. As is the impressive list of guest artists who join for the 18 original songs on The Omnichord Real Book: Ambrose Akinmusire, Jason Moran, Jeff Parker, Julius Rodriguez, Joel Ross and more.
Fans of her previous work will like this as will those who don’t know her previous work.
Jazz: LEROY WALKS! – The Leroy Vinnegar Sextet (Craft Recordings)
I wasn’t familiar with bassist Leroy Vinnegar until I heard this album and now I can’t stop playing it. Leroy Walks! Was originally released in 1957 and was his debut album. From the opening walking bass line of the album, you know you’re in for some great music.
The seven tracks are: Walk On, Would You Like to Take A Walk, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Walkin’, Walkin’ My Baby Back Home, I’ll Walk Alone and Walkin’ By the River. Do you see a theme there?
MUSICAL THEATER: OTHER LIVES: THE STORY SONGS OF MICHAEL COLBY (Jay Records)
Lyricist Michael Colby’s work was celebrated in a benefit revue off-Broadway at Urban Stages in New York last December. This is the cast album of that show.
The album features 22 songs with music written by an array of composers including Andrea Colby, Ned Paul Ginsberg, Larry Hochman, Paul Katz, Peter Millrose, Gerald Jay Markoe, Alex Rybeck, Steven Silverstein, Joseph Thalken and Herman Yabaloff.
The cast of 22 includes Klea Blackhurst, Steven Bogardus, Sean McDermott and more. Michael Lavine is the music director.
Other Lives is a great way to get introduced to Colby’s work (and some composers you may not be familiar with).
That’s our list of New In Music This Week: June 16th. What are you listening to? Let us know.
Enjoy the weekend and enjoy the music.
Main Photo: Art from Jeremy Dutton’s “Anyone Is Better Than Here”