With reservations, RON JACOBS recommends a deep dive into the nature, history, and mindset of US intelligence
The Billy Hart Quartet
All Our Reasons (ECM)
One is the Other (ECM)
The veteran drummer Billy Hart, born in Washington DC in 1940, has not only become one of jazz’s most powerful and creative drummers.
He unwittingly became a character in Rafi Zabor’s soulful and sparkling novel The Bear Comes Home, where his fiery drumming accompanies the saxophone-playing plantigrade quadruped who is the narrative’s protagonist, inspiring his primal dream of freedom.

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to vocalist Jacqui Dankworth

CHRIS SEARLE pays tribute to the late South African percussionist, Louis Moholo-Moholo

Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Ethiopian vocalist SOFIA JERNBERG