The Bad Ones

For longtime fans of genre-bending jazz piano trio the Bad Plus, 2016's It's Hard will feel pleasantly familiar. Once again showcasing the talents of pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer David King, It's Hard finds the Bad Plus reworking a set of well-curated pop covers. In that sense, the album fits nicely next to the group's previous covers albums, all of which helped build their reputation as a maverick, forward-thinking outfit unafraid to recontextualize both modern pop songs and traditional acoustic jazz. Particularly effective here is the trio's languid, impressionistic take on Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over."

Presumably the Bad Plus wanted to make a very specific statement when they titled this album Prog. Although there is no confusing its music for what has typically passed for progressive jazz or progressive rock in decades past, Prog embodies the true meaning of the word: it takes music forward - not just theirs, but music itself. How they do that is relatively simple, despite the music's complexity: they go where they want to go, where others have yet even to consider going. That means throwing out conventional notions of what a jazz piano trio can and should do. That the Bad Plus is comprised of three exemplary musicians - pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King - is never in doubt. Their chops are on display at every turn - and there are many turns, unexpected and exhilarating ones that produce seismic shifts without losing focus…

Digitally re-mastered deluxe edition of this 1982 album from Southern Rocker Johnny Van Zant, brother of Ronnie (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (.38 Special). Last of the Wild Ones was the JVZ Band's third studio album and finds the them returning to a more authentic sound, a style in keeping with their highly praised debut album, paying less heed to commerciality and more attention to traditional 70s style southern rock. It also marked the return of veteran producer Al Kooper, a man who not only discovered, signed and produced Skynyrd but also sat behind the recording desk of the debut JVZ Band album. Sharper, more concise and rougher around the edges than their second album, Last of the Wild Ones takes no prisoners, leaping out of the speakers all guns blazing. With brother Donnie co-writing half the album, this is truly a joining of forces and a serious statement of intent.

Digitally re-mastered deluxe edition of this 1982 album from Southern Rocker Johnny Van Zant, brother of Ronnie (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (.38 Special). Last of the Wild Ones was the JVZ Band's third studio album and finds the them returning to a more authentic sound, a style in keeping with their highly praised debut album, paying less heed to commerciality and more attention to traditional 70s style southern rock. It also marked the return of veteran producer Al Kooper, a man who not only discovered, signed and produced Skynyrd but also sat behind the recording desk of the debut JVZ Band album. Sharper, more concise and rougher around the edges than their second album, Last of the Wild Ones takes no prisoners, leaping out of the speakers all guns blazing. With brother Donnie co-writing half the album, this is truly a joining of forces and a serious statement of intent.