Tom Schijvers

Following their acclaimed debut release on Resonus Classics (The Waiting Sky, 2019), the award-winning vocal ensemble SANSARA presents an album of choral works and electronic refractions by their Associate Composer, Marco Galvani. Recorded in the midst of the global pandemic of 2020, Invisible Cities showcases Galvani’s distinct voice through a synthesis of contrasting soundworlds. This powerful sequence of new music features settings of well-known sacred texts, reflecting on the importance of community and hope in times of fear and uncertainty.

Despite the absence of Joe Sample and Larry Carlton, Tom Scott's L.A. Express remains very Crusaders-influenced on Tom Cat – a highly accessible jazz-funk-R&B date that, as commercial as it is, leaves room for inspired blowing courtesy of both the leader and sidemen like electric guitarist Robben Ford and keyboardist Larry Nash. Sweaty, hard-hitting jazz-funk is the rule on such down-home grooves as "Good Evening Mr. & Mrs. America & All the Ships" and "Day Way," which allow the players to let loose, blow, and say what needs to be said. "Love Poem" is a pleasant, likable piece of delicate mood music (but not "Muzak"!) that features wordless vocals by pop-folk singer Joni Mitchell and has a slightly Flora Purim-ish appeal.

Ace trumpeter Tom Harrell’s new recording, Infinity, brims with uncomplicated structures, harmonic sophistication, nervy improvisations, and a mix of kaleidoscopic hard-bop and straight ahead post-bop influences. The album comprises ten Harrell compositions subjected to wonderful musical treatments by a hot quintet that includes Mark Turner, Charles Altura, Ben Street and Johnathan Blake.

Buffalo Tom began life as a trio of pre-grunge, neo-psychedelic guitar maulers owing a heavy debt to Dinosaur Jr. (though one might argue that on Birdbrain they actually beat J. Mascis at his own game), but over the next dozen years they matured into a considerably more dynamic and intelligent band, capable of generating crunching rockers or acoustic ballads with equal precision, all of which possessed heart, soul, and a compassionate intelligence. Asides from Buffalo Tom compiles most of the band's best-known songs, including the top sides of their singles, radio emphasis tracks, a few fan favorites, and a cover of the Jam's "Going Underground" from a 1999 tribute album. While the album isn't sequenced chronologically, which would have made a greater case for their growth over time, it does a superb job of capturing the many sides of their musical personality, and it is both a fine summation of their first 11 years as a recording act and great introduction to one of the better bands to rise from the alt-rock scene in the 1990s.

The Complete Tom Jones is a highly enjoyable set which collects most of Tom Jones' hit recordings, beginning with his first major success, 1965's "It's Not Unusual," and ending with his 1988 hit collaboration with the Art of Noise, "Kiss." Most of Tom Jones' major hits are included, among those "Delilah," "What's New, Pussycat?," "Love Me Tonight," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," "Daughter of Darkness," "I (Who Have Nothing)," "She's a Lady," and "The Green Green Grass of Home."

"There’s no leading, no following. We’re in the moment together. They even know when I’m going to take a breath — I can feel it." Tony Malaby. "It sounds simple to say, but the three of us have real creative chemistry together. Chemistry is the difference between just a group of good musicians playing in a room and something magical happening." Tom Rainey. "The longevity of it means something — there’s so much life and love in this group. As for the music, it’s about the joy of surprise. For some people, the unexpected can make them uncomfortable — for us, it’s inspiring." Angelica Sanchez

Tom Principatos 18th album captured live at The Barns Of Wolf Trap with an augmented band with special guest Tommy Lepson keyboards and vocals and a 3 piece horn section led by Chris Watling from Grandsons Of The Pioneers. CD+DVD digipak.

Tom Waits’ Glitter and Doom Live doesn't fall into the various traps that many other concert recordings do, though it does have its problems. This double-disc set marks his third live effort in his nearly 40-year career, each one summing up his career to the point of its release. The first, Nighthawks at the Diner, issued in 1975 on Asylum, is regarded by many as one of the greatest live albums of all time. Big Time, released during his tenure at Island in 1986, is hotly debated in fan circles. It is likely that Glitter and Doom Live will be too, but for different reasons. The musical performances here were culled from Waits’ historic sold-out tour of the U.S. and Europe. He compiled and sequenced the tracks himself, intending to make them sound like a single show. The material leans, understandably, on his recordings with the Anti label…

The Complete Tom Jones is a highly enjoyable set which collects most of Tom Jones' hit recordings, beginning with his first major success, 1965's "It's Not Unusual," and ending with his 1988 hit collaboration with the Art of Noise, "Kiss." Most of Tom Jones' major hits are included, among those "Delilah," "What's New, Pussycat?," "Love Me Tonight," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," "Daughter of Darkness," "I (Who Have Nothing)," "She's a Lady," and "The Green Green Grass of Home."