Commentary

As an all-time icon and Grammy-winning giant of jazz, we have grown used to seeing George Benson on the stages that befit his sky-high status.

Mobys 19. Studioalbum Reprise erscheint beim altehrwürdigen Klassiklabel Deutsche Grammophon: Hier transformiert der Elektronik-Produzent die Erfolge seiner Karriere nämlich in Orchester- und Akustikstücke, die teils mit dem Budapest Art Orchestra eingespielt wurden. Der Dancefloor-Charakter der Songs wird damit stark zurückgefahren, stattdessen schält Moby mit seinen neuen Arrangements die darunterliegenden Emotionen heraus.

A renowned poet has a new album out Friday titled “The Gospel According To Nikki Giovanni.” In addition to publishing dozens of poetry works, Nikki Giovanni has recorded several spoken word albums over the course of 50 years. But this time, she’s doing something a little different. The new album, a collaboration with saxophonist Javon Jackson, is a collection of gospel hymns and spirituals set to jazz. Growing up in the Baptist church, Giovanni says gospel music was instrumental to understanding herself as a poet. “The spirituals had a message,” she says. “They weren't just some people woke up one morning or came from working in the evening and said, ‘Oh, let's sit down and sing.’ They were sharing information with each other.”