New Jazz Albums Hitting the Shelves This Week | Oct. 28, 2024
Featuring New Releases from Andrew Hill, Caleb Wheeler Curtis, Darryl Yokley, Elliot Galvin, Sun Ra Arkestra and Pritesh Walia
Hey there. Happy Monday, all.
We're starting the week with some exciting new releases dropping this Friday. Highlights include Andrew Hill's restored A Beautiful Day, Revisited, Darryl Yokley's Latin-Jazz fusion in Un Mundo en Soledad, and the contemplative debut single from Elliot Galvin. Plus, Pritesh Walia's highly anticipated Hopetown and Sun Ra Arkestra's Lights On A Satellite single, celebrating heritage and visionary creativity.
Here's a roundup of the new releases to watch out for.
Andrew Hill: A Beautiful Day, Revisited
Palmetto Records • Nov. 1, 2024
With A Beautiful Day, Revisited, Palmetto Records presents a fresh rendering of Andrew Hill’s masterful 2002 big band album, enhanced with newly discovered recordings. Known for his complex harmonic language and idiosyncratic compositions, Hill originally recorded A Beautiful Day live at New York’s Birdland with a seventeen-piece ensemble. This new edition not only restores Hill’s brilliance to a new generation of listeners but also delves into previously unreleased materials, providing a fuller perspective on his visionary work. A Beautiful Day, Revisited reflects Palmetto’s commitment to preserving Jazz legacies, allowing audiences to experience Hill’s daring yet intimate artistry anew.
Caleb Wheeler Curtis: The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery
Imani Records • Nov. 1, 2024
With his latest release, The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery, Caleb Wheeler Curtis crafts a double album as inventive in scope as it is personal. Divided into two parts, Curtis assembles two trios to explore distinct musical narratives.
The first album, Bears and the Invention of the Battery features Curtis’ brilliant working trio with bassist Sean Conly and drummer Michael Sarin and consists mainly of the leader’s compelling original music.
The second album, Raise Four: Monk the Minimalist, is a bold exploration of the music of Thelonious Monk with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner.
Curtis’s layered performances emphasize not only his technical prowess but also his unique storytelling through sound, establishing this project as both a tribute to Jazz tradition and a fresh statement of intent.
Darryl Yokley: Un Mundo en Soledad
Truth Revolution Recording Collective & D-Yokes Records • Nov. 1, 2024
Saxophonist and composer Darryl Yokley offers a richly imagined tribute to Latin heritage and literature with Un Mundo en Soledad. Inspired by Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, Yokley’s latest album is a poignant fusion of Latin music and Jazz, performed with his Sound Reformation quartet and featuring percussionist Little Johnny Rivero. Tracks like “El Pueblo” and “Remedios la Bella” capture the magic realism of Márquez’s world, while pieces such as “Después de la Guerra” delve into historical reflection. With a sound as vibrant as it is introspective, Yokley uses his saxophone to explore the nuances of solitude, cultural identity, and musical tradition.
Elliot Galvin: From Beneath (Single)
Gearbox Records
Marking a new phase in his career, Elliot Galvin’s single “From Beneath” on Gearbox Records introduces a darker sonic landscape that reflects the artist’s evolution since his last release. Known for his experimental approach to Jazz, Galvin enlists Ruth Goller’s bass and vocals alongside Sebastian Rochford’s evocative drumming to build a layered, atmospheric track. Incorporating modular synths, electronic textures, and staccato piano, Galvin’s sound reveals a deeper engagement with both technological and emotional exploration. “From Beneath” represents a fresh beginning for Galvin and serves as a captivating precursor to a full tour scheduled for early 2025.
Hear / Share “From Beneath” Here
Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights On A Satellite (Single)
Released in honor of saxophonist Marshall Allen’s 100th birthday, the first single from the Sun Ra Arkestra’s upcoming album Lights On A Satellite serves as a fitting tribute to Allen’s lifetime contributions to the genre. Known for their cosmic soundscapes and free Jazz roots, the Arkestra continues to inspire generations with its boundary-pushing approach to Jazz. Lights On A Satellite honors both Allen’s centennial and the timeless vision of Sun Ra’s music.
Pritesh Walia: Hopetown
PSA Records • Nov. 1, 2024
Rounding out this week’s releases is Hopetown, the new album from guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia. This debut effort blends traditional Jazz with Walia’s unique stylistic influences, capturing a deeply personal and introspective narrative. With Hopetown, Walia steps fully into the spotlight, presenting a collection of original compositions alongside bassist Chris Worden and drummer Gen Yoshimura.
This week’s releases embody the multifaceted dimensions of Jazz, from Andrew Hill’s revitalized big band project to Darryl Yokley’s literary homage, Elliot Galvin’s sonic explorations, and the Sun Ra Arkestra’s centennial celebration of Marshall Allen. Each of these projects highlights the genre’s ability to transcend boundaries and reveal personal, cultural, and historical narratives in new, resonant ways. Whether revisiting classic themes or venturing into new territory, these albums reaffirm Jazz’s ever-evolving and deeply expressive nature.
I hope you all have a fantastic week ahead.
Happy listening!
Loving this, especially Pritesh Walia's guitar and trio sound, and True story of Bears....