The Toronto Jazz Orchestra
The Path
By Glen Hall

Tight, swinging and passionate, the TJO have clearly spent their time rehearsing these demanding charts to make them sing. Even the high register trumpet lines come off well executed, phrased with finesse and attention to every articulation mark. And there are some strong solos, as on "Cereal Blocks," with muscular tenor sax solo from Michael Carter and astute piano by Ali Berkok, whose presence is felt throughout the ten-track CD. You'd think vocalist Kurt Elling's lyrics would be the best part of "Esperanto" but although his words are ponderous and un-mellifluous, Sophia Perlman delivers them in her forceful, smoky alto and then kicks the riff-y tune into high gear with some compelling scatting. While a couple of solos don't quite achieve lift-off, most tunes feature vigorous blowing. Leader Josh Grossman's puckish flugelhorn on "Chazz" and Mark Laver's (of the See Through Trio) nimble soprano on "The Call" definitely get airborne. A standout composition arrangement by non-TJO member Erik Patterson is "Happy at Sad Things," with snappy contrapuntal parts and wicked sax lines. Recorded at Humber College's state-of-the-art studio, the sound and sectional balance are flawless. Nice work from top to bottom. (Independent)
Torngat - La Petite Nicole
There's so much distortion emanating from Montreal trio Torngat's new album it's as though their latest songs were captured in a factory, accompanied by whirring machinery and emotional unrest. Distance and separation have been utilized by the band previously, however they've never been more eager t ...Read More
Delhi 2 Dublin - Delhi 2 Dublin
Combine the Indian drums (tabla, dhol) and sitars of the subcontinent with driving Irish fiddles and toe-tapping Celtic progressions, keep the dynamics fluid with bhangra world beat soundscapes and you've got Delhi 2 Dublin. The Vancouver-based electronic world fusion quintet's first studio release ...Read More
Anduin & Jasper TX - The Bending of Light
Calle Debauche - Calle Debauche
Comfort - Sleep Talking Shared
DarkBlueWorld - The Perilous Beauty of Madness
Evan Parker - Saxophone Solos
Gordon Allen / Frank Martel / Michel F. Côté - All Up In There
Gypsophilia - Sa-ba-da-OW!
Hecker - Acid in the Style of David Tudor
Jeff Younger’s Sandbox - The Nudger
Jim O’Rourke - I’m Happy, And I’m Singing, And A 1, 2, 3, 4
Jozef Van Wissem - It Is All That is Made
Land of Kush - Against the Day
Leverton Fox - Country Dances
Michael Snow - 2 Radio Solos
Milo Fine - Ananke
Pink Saliva - Danse avec Robert Duncan
Schweizer Holz Trio - Love Letters to the President
Simeon Abbott - Zebra Wood: Prepared Electric Guitar Improvisations
Sound for the Organization of Society - Poem of the Underground
Sun City Girls - Napoleon & Josephine (Singles Volume 2)
Various Artists - Spectra: Guitar in the 21st Century
Wet Cookies - Soul Protection
Whisper Room - Birch White
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game [PS3 / Xbox 360]
Scott Pilgrim may be targeting today's 20-something hipster, but the videogame-inspired book-turned-movie-turned-videogame franchise is embedded with references to creator Bryan Lee O'Malley's late '80s and early '90s youth.

So no surprise then that the game adaptation, which f... Full Review
Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs - God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise
As reticent as he can be, Ray LaMontagne has established himself over his previous three albums as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters in the world today. His country-tinged soul is often compared to Van Morrison's classic early work, something (as was the case with Morrison) that can be c... Full Review
The Sound Of The Drums
"Right now I am on a plane from Tokyo to London and I have no idea what day it is," says Jonathan Pierce, singer, songwriter and co-founder of the Drums. He and his band-mates have been forced to deal with a ridiculous level of demand as of late ― the kind of demand that fuels meltdowns, self-doubt and splits.... Read More
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