Jazz Guitarist Juan Dhas Discusses ‘Aether’: Slang of Ages Interview!

PRESTON FRAZIER: My first exposure to your music was the album Catharsis.JUAN DHAS: Yes, my second album, Catharsis, came out in 2018. I moved to Dubai for about a year in 2019 and returned to Colombia again in October 2020 – and I’ve just been here for the time being. PRESTON FRAZIER: Let’s start with your current album, Aether, and how it […]

Short Tracks: Richard and Linda Thompson – ‘Shoot Out the Lights’ (1982): On Second Thought

Infidelity, bottle-throwing, love and loss swirl around the great album produced by the soon-to-be-divorced duoof Richard and Linda Thompson in November 1981 at Olympic Studios in London. Recorded live to tape by producer Joe Boyd, Shoot Out the Lights started and almost ended in dramatic fashion. Sessions began with Gerry Rafferty (of “Baker Street” fame) in the producer’s […]

Short Tracks: MAX MORAN & NEOSPECTRIC – MAX MORAN & NEOSPECTRIC (2016):

 New Orleans-based bassist Max Moran brings 10 original songs which combine his formidable jazz chops with a good dose of swampy down-home funk. Max Moran & Neospectric has groove for days, but does not forsake Moran’s arranging sensibilities nor his fine songwriting skills. The result is an unmistakeable and irresistible groove, which is built from a foundation of great […]

Interview with Durand Jones

King and Queen by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas; One Night Stand! by Sam Cooke; and (a close sixth) Sweet Touch of Love by Allen Toussaint. Sorry, I had to add one more. These type of questions always get me!

Short Tracks: JUAN DHAS – CATHARSIS (2018)

I was unfamiliar with Bogata, Colombia-based jazz guitarist Juan Dhas until a friend mentioned his 2014 debut Embracing Clarity in a post. I was immediately captivated. His just-released new album Catharsis is even more striking. The self-produced collection of all original material showcases Dhas’ fluid guitar runs, excellent tones and sense of economy. Catharsis also showcases his skill as a writer and […]

Short Tracks: Mi Nuevo Tumbao…Cañonazo by Johnny Pacheco (Fania Records reissue)

Mi Nuevo Tumbao…Cañonazo by Johnny Pacheco, also known as El Gran Pacheco, is an essential album in the development of salsa music. Released in 1964, this record marks the early days of Fania Records, which has re-released a plethora of classics recently and has taken special care with regard to the vinyl packaging and mastering. […]

Short Tracks: CATHERINE RUSSELL – SEND FOR ME (JAZZ/VOCALS):

Accomplished song stylist Catherine Russell changes things up just a bit on her April 1, release, Send For Me. Not that the Steely Dan band vocalist needs to fix anything regarding her prior releases: 2019’s Alone Together made my best-of list for that year, and I always catch Russell’s invigorating live show whenever I can. […]