Jonah Dempcy

 

Jazz Picante

Nice jazz podcast/DJ mixes: Jazz Picante

Here's this week's episode: MP3

 

Rune Grammofon

Description from the site www.runegrammofon.com:

Rune Grammofon is a record label dedicated to releasing work by the most adventurous and creative Norwegian artists and composers.

Being music enthusiasts almost to the point of absurdity, we don't want to limit ourselves to certain genres, as long as there's real heart and personality. With an increasing number of indifferent records bombarding the market place, we modestly aim to recapture the magic connected to the discovery of new artists and buying their records. Our aim is to put love and care into each release, giving it the best possible design and packaging. No plastic, ever. All releases come in the digipak format with exclusive design by brilliant designer Kim Hiorthøy. 

 

Jeff Ballard

Jeff Ballard is one of my favorite contemporary jazz drummers. He is spot-on and even when playing sparse and syncopated rhythms, tends to keep the energy level high and the rhythm driving. Of course, I don't want to over-simplify &emdash; Ballard is a versatile musician &emdash; but my favorite recordings of his are the ones that have a driving rhythm, either in a upper tempos or if they are a slower tune, by filling at double-time. Check out his website here:

www.jeffballard.com

 

Roy Hargrove - Nothing Serious

I just picked up the 2006 release Nothing Serious by Roy Hargrove. It's a very articulate and professional post-bop recording which, although not entirely innovative, is still a solid album and recommended listening. I feel it's important to listen to both experimental "outside" jazz as well as recordings which are more typical of the idiom.

In any case, if you want to hear a solid modern jazz recording, check out Roy Hargrove - Nothing Serious.