Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Ancestral Recall

2019 was a great year for music, and when this came out I thought it was truly amazing. I raved about it. Even in such a strong field, it stood out – it sounded so fresh and exciting.

Listening to it today, whilst it has its moments, it’s not an album I play often. And that’s because it just doesn’t sound as good as it did then. Let me think why that is. Perhaps it was just of its time (and there's nothing wrong with that.) Certainly, it all sounds a bit long-winded.

You know, in 2019, there was a tendency for albums to sprawl over four sides of 180g vinyl. If there's one thing prog-rock has taught us: more isn't necessarily more. Now, vinyl is made of oil, and oil is much more expensive. Hopefully, as a result, artists will be forced to employ a bit more economy in their work.

Maybe it’ll come into its own again in another few years.

#NowPlaying
#Vinyl
#ChristianScottaTundeAdjuah
#AncestralRecall
#Jazz
#Music

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Axiom

This album came out in 2020. It was recorded live during the early covid days, just before lockdown. In fact, Scott addresses the impending crisis in his between-song chat.

Although I bought this as soon as it was released, it fell foul of my post-covid dip in interest in music, so it hasn’t been played that much. That’s a shame, because it’s good.

He’s a gifted horn player and an eccentric character, who obviously thinks a lot about his art, which will either be the making of him...or the opposite.

The album also features Scott's frequent work wife, Elena Pinderhughes on flute. That is a good thing. The two work so well together and she's as prominent on this album as he is.

#Vinyl
#Jazz
#ChristianScottaTundeAdjuah
#Axiom
#NowPlaying
#Music