The Jazzed Edition: Get The Blessing, Brian Ellis Group & Lionel Loueke

Get The Blessing: Tommy: Astronautilus

As it must, “jazz” as a genre continues to get redefined and rearranged with exciting groups like Get the Blessing leading the way. Hailing from Bristol, U.K. the quartet (bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone) recently released their third RecommNed’d album of the last four years in Astronautilus. Combining headbanging rock and roll with more arching Radiohead-esque narratives, this album finds the already- adventurous group blazing trails to new and exciting places.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com /album/5GlFE6RKXeCOMCB8G5flYT

Rdio: http://www.rd io.com/artist/Get_The_Blessing/album/Astronautilus/

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/get-the- blessing/album/astronautilus

Bandcamp: http://gettheblessing.b andcamp.com/album/astronautilus

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Brian Ellis Group: Escondido Sessions

Sometimes it only takes a moment to know a band has got it. Pop on Escondido Sessions from the Brian Ellis Group and you’ll know exactly the feeling I’m talking about. This music leaps out from your headphones and straight to your pleasure centers. Out on Neddy-fave label, El Paraiso, who has a knack for finding the good shit out at the boundaries, these sessions feature four heavy, electric, jazz-meets-rock jammers in the spirit of Miles’ electric bands, Medeski, Martin & Wood or Zorn’s Electric Masada by way of Southern California. Featuring Ellis on Rhodes, organ, Wurlitzer et al, saxophone and a relentless percussion-heavy rhythm section as well as beautiful cover art…don’t sleep on this one.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com /album/4bd3e1VbBFLGkPFOtLbiDk

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/brian-ellis- group/album/escondido-sessions

Rdio: http:// www.rdio.com/artist/Brian_Ellis_Group/album/Escondido_Sessions/

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Lionel Loueke: Gaia

Guitarist Lionel Loueke’s new album, Gaia just came out this past Friday, but it only took one listen before I knew it was RecommNed-worthy. In jazz circles, Loueke is not exactly 100%, under the radar, but you may be as surprised as I was about how truly ripping this album is. Playing in an ultra-tight guitar- bass-drum trio, Loueke leads the music through some heavy-duty, rocking shit, with each track taking on a freeform, let’s-see-how-deep-we-can-take-this vibe reminiscent of personal favorite guitar-Jedi Wayne Krantz. This album, out on Blue Note, shows Loueke and his trio-mates are in that class and then some: a must listen for any big electric guitar fan.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com /album/4kt1nYvq0xdFoHsHm60Jgu

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/lionel-loueke/album/gaia- blue-note

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/ artist/Lionel_Loueke/album/GA%C3%8FA/