We can guarantee you that THIS is the most under-rated and overlooked album of 2017. These are the times we live in, when gems lie right in front of us and we busy ourselves sorting out the rubbish. The name alone got our attention - it is clear that Andrew Neesley and Tim Emmerick know their history. Andrew is a Jazz composer who cut his teeth with Big Bands, and Tim is a songwriter with a serious love of indie rock. Together they distill the energy and craft of a fifteen piece band and make it sound simple, pure, and perfected. And the songs - They are mysterious, longing, and leave you happy. Which is OK, we promise.
The Countdown 2017 | Akashic Record
For over a decade, Akashic Record has been a crusader for organ driven funk and soul jazz in the Boston music scene. Their fourth release, Big Bang (Spring 2017, Ropeadope), carries forward their consistent approach of producing music that includes soulful melodies, virtuosic soloists and most importantly, a hard grooving rhythm section to ensure that you will be bobbin’ your head! Big Bang is a follow up to their 2013 Ropeadope release Bring It Back, and features Brian Thomas on trombone, Jared Sims on baritone saxophone, Steve Fell on guitar, Peter MaClean on drums, Sam Gilman on organ and Darby Wolf on clavinet and piano. Produced by Akashic Record, Big Bang was once again recorded by Craig Welsch (aka dubfader) at Rear Window Studio and mixed by the incredible Alan Evans (Soulive) at Iron Wax Studios. “We love the basic sounds that Craig is able get. He is a true master. Alan really completes our vision in the mix with his passion for funk and soul jazz. It was really a priority to work with both of them again on Big Bang”, says AR trombonist Brian Thomas.
The Countdown 2017 | Adam Turchin
When Adam Turchin arrived in Los Angeles, he found a gig trading what he knew: saxophones. A chance encounter with saxophonist and producer Terrace Martin changed his life. The two locked in on the intricacies of various vintage reed instruments and Turchin found himself invited to a session that night. Martin, a fixture on the Los Angeles jazz and R&B scene, took the enthusiastic East Coaster under his wing and brought him around town.
And now, Adam Turchin has arrived with a rich album of lush soul and orchestral swells of lysergic wanderlust. His band, which includes Terrace Martin (whose recent Grammy® nominated album, Velvet Portraits, Turchin was heavily involved in, playing tenor and baritone sax and working on the administrative side also) as well as vocalists Rose Gold and Kate Faust, is a tight ensemble, not overwhelmed by guests but instead performed mostly by Turchin. That's not to say that he didn't get some other highly regarded friends such as rapper Javier Starks, trumpeter Josef Leimberg, electric guitarist Marlon Williams, and others join the project.
The Countdown 2017 | Escaper
Sometimes a band comes along that just kicks ass. Escaper is Will Hanza on guitar, stretching out like the whole universe is clearly in his view; Jazz sensibilities with rock fantasies is what we like to call it. Will is joined by friends and bandmates Andrew Nesbitt, Jay Giacomazzo, Adam Ahuja on keys and Johnny Butler on sax. Escaper is taking space-jam-jazz-rock one giant step forward, and while they hit us with this gem - Skeleton Key - in 2017 they've already lined up a new release for 2018. Forget the retro stereotypes, strap on your space boots, and get ready to ride.