Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2024

The Top Ten Albums of 2024 by Kansas City Artists
1. Betty Bryant- Lotta Livin’
Plastic Sax review.
2. Logan Richardson- The Science of Superstition
Plastic Sax review.
3. Charles McPherson- Reverence
Plastic Sax review.
4. Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas and Ted Nash- Tell the Birds I Said Hello: The Music of Herbie Nichols
Plastic Sax review.
5. Matt Otto, Xose Miguélez and Abe Rábade- The Landscape Listens
Plastic Sax review.
6. Rod Fleeman Trio- Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3
Plastic Sax review.
7. Pat Metheny- MoonDial
Plastic Sax review.
8. Karrin Allyson- A Kiss for Brazil
Plastic Sax review.
9. Michael Pagán- Paganova
Plastic Sax review.
10. Narrative Quintet- Trust Fund Tinder Goblins Howling at the Moon
Plastic Sax review.

The Top Ten Albums of 2024 by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Sunny Five- Candid
2. Nduduzo Makhathini- uNomkhubulwane
3. Fred Hersch- Silent, Listening
4. أحمد (Ahmed)- Wood Blues
5. Nala Sinephro- Endlessness
6. Tord Gustavsen Trio- Seeing
7. Andrew Cyrille, Kit Downes and Bill Frisell- Breaking the Shell
8. Peter Evans- Extra
9. Samara Joy- Portrait
10. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis- The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis

The Top 25 Kansas City Jazz Albums of the Past 25 Years

Despite enduring constant turbulence during the first 25 years of the new millennium, Kansas City’s jazz musicians never ceased creating timeless art. The following list highlights a fraction of the vital recordings released since 2000. The recency bias on display reflects Plastic Sax’s founding in 2007 as well as the uptick in the quantity and quality of releases in recent years. A corresponding non-jazz albums ranking is here.

1. Peter Schlamb- Tinks (2004)
2. Logan Richardson- Shift (2016)
3. Bobby Watson- Back Home in Kansas City (2022)
4. Hermon Mehari- Asmara (2022)
5. Bob Bowman- Songs for Sandra (2014)
6. Pat Metheny- Orchestrion (2010)
7. Ahmad Alaadeen- And the Beauty of It All (ASR 2007)
8. Karrin Allyson- Imagina: Songs of Brasil (2008)
9. Steve Cardenas- Panoramic (2002)
10. Mike Dillon- Inflorescence (2023)

11. Deborah Brown- Songbird (2003)
12. Adam Larson- With Love, From Kansas City (2022)
13. Myra Taylor- My Night to Dream (2001)
14. Matt Otto and Ensemble Ibérica- Ibérica (2017)
15. The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City- The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City (2010)
16. Kevin Mahogany- Pride & Joy (2002)
17. Micah Herman- The Ship, Vol. 1: The Studio Sessions (2011)
18. EMAS Quartet- EMS (2022)
19. Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle- Kings & Queens (2016)
20. Rod Fleeman Trio- Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3 (2024)

21. Alaturka- Tamam Abi (2010)
22. Betty Bryant- Lotta Livin' (2024)
23. Everette DeVan- For the Love of You (2014)
24. Gregory Hickman-Williams- Passages (2006)
25. Marcus Lewis Big Band- Brass and Boujee (2018)

Album Review: Logan Richardson- The Science of Superstition

Umpteen musicians have paid tribute to J Dilla’s 2006 masterpiece Donuts. The Science of Superstition, Logan Richardson’s homage to the influential collection of beats crafted by the late producer, is an important addition to the crowded subgenre.

As with J Dilla, the Kansas City saxophonist follows a distinctive muse. Richardson’s signature attack- aggressive post-bop paired contemporary wall-of-sound production- receives several new twists on The Science of Superstition.

“Birth of the Machine” is racked with industrial noise while “Sarah Conner” is possessed by apocalyptic robotics. “Economics” contains elements of Chicago footwork. European electro-folk propels “Post Lullabye”. 

Not all of Richardson’s experiments work, but none of his undertakings are routine. The innovations of The Science of Superstition cements Richardson’s reputation as Kansas City’s most iconoclastic artist.

Now’s the Time: Harold O’Neal

The American Jazz Museum closes August with three performances by pianist Harold O'Neal. The pianist with deep Kansas City roots performs at the Jay McShann Pavilion on Thursday, August 29, with Dan Thomas at the Blue Room on Friday, August 30, and with Logan Richardson at the Blue Room on Saturday, August 31.

Album Review: Peter Schlamb- Pliable Consciousness

The jazz community in Kansas City is a victim of negligence. Although it was released in February, Plastic Sax only recently stumbled upon Pliable Consciousness, the latest missive from Peter Schlamb. The excellence of the 22-minute recording compounds the oversight.

The vibraphonist, composer and bandleader has perfected the distinctive approach first documented on Tinks in 2014. The production of Pliable Consciousness is crisper and the guest artists- Hermon Mehari, Mike Moreno and Logan Richardson- are even more inspiring.

Schlamb has long been indifferent to self-promotion. Even so, managing to keep the superlative Pliable Consciousness a secret is a feat. The fact that Pliable Consciousness hasn’t received a smidgen of notice elsewhere doesn’t excuse Plastic Sax’s failure to keep tabs on one of Kansas City’s preeminent artists. I apologize.

Album Review: Logan Richardson- Sacred Garden

Sacred Garden, the latest essential statement from the Kansas City saxophonist Logan Richardson and Blues People, opens with a clip of a Charlie Parker interview. The deafening arena rock anthem “Twenty Twenty Four” immediately follows. Richardson and his colleagues sound prepared to accompany a current pop trailblazer like Travis Scott, SZA or The Weeknd. The message seems clear: the truest way to uphold Parker’s spirit in 2024 is to work at the vanguard of contemporary music. Sacred Garden is decidedly up to date. “Back to the Point” blends a sticky funk groove with shards of heavy metal. Richardson refines his signature sound on tracks including “Moonlight,” “The Fallen” and “The Walls Speak.” In the interview, Parker said “most likely in another twenty-five, or maybe fifty years some youngster will come along and take the style and really do something with it.” Richardson clearly isn’t afraid of inviting bold comparisons. His audacity is justified on Sacred Garden.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Logan Richardson’s Holy Water, the Count Basie Orchestra’s Swings the Blues and Matt Otto’s Umbra are among Chris Burnett’s favorite albums of 2023.

Now’s the Time: Logan Richardson

Logan Richardson, arguably Kansas City’s most intriguing musician, returns to the Blue Room on Saturday, December 30. The embedded video is a visual interpretation of a track from his 2023 album Holy Water.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Logan Richardson accompanies Aja Monet in her Tiny Desk Concert appearance.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Scott Emmerman.

*Gabe Rosenberg recommends Green Lady Lounge to Taylor Swift.

Now’s the Time: Marquis Hill

The American Jazz Museum is observing the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Charlie Parker with a free concert featuring the Chicago trumpeter Marquis Hill and the Kansas City saxophonist Logan Richardson on Saturday, August 26. The R&B artist Dwele headlines the event. Details are here.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Logan Richardson chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.

*An award-winning high school band from Washington that fared well at the Kansas City Jazz Summit is the subject of a news feature.

*Tweet of the Week: Lina- Sistrunk’s phone was the only one amongst us that could get a halfway decent selfie in the dark that is the Green Lady Lounge. (photo)

Album Review: Logan Richardson- Holy Water

Logan Richardson is the most significant musician to emerge from the Kansas City area in the past 25 years.  As with most brilliant artists, the saxophonist isn’t afraid to take risks.  

The partially unconsecrated Holy Water is a flawed gamble. The fundamental fault of Richardson’s new album isn’t the swampy sound or the liberal incorporation of R&B and rock. 

In fact, those qualities are among the most compelling elements of Holy Water. Dishearteningly, the recording fails to capture the vitality of Richardson’s recent live performances. 

While not without considerable merit, Holy Water is a recapitulation of concepts Richardson has previously expressed.  Even so, it’s more than likely Richardson’s next artistic breakthrough is just around the corner.

Now’s the Time: Logan Richardson

Prior to a four-night stand at The Blue Note in New York City later this month, Logan Richardson is booked for a three-night run at The Ship in Kansas City on Wednesday, February 1, Thursday, February 2, and Friday, February 3.  The saxophonist’s show at The Ship in 2022 was Plastic Sax’s Favorite Performance of 2022.  The embedded video is a portion of Steve Paul’s documentation of the February 1 set.

Plastic Sax's Favorite Performances of 2022

Top Performances by Kansas City Artists

1. Logan Richardson + Blues People at the Ship

Review.

2. Adam Larson, Clark Sommers and Dana Hall at Westport Coffee House

Review.

3. Black Crack Revue at Westport Coffee House

Review.

4. Steve Cardenas, Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at recordBar

Review.

5. Arnold Young and the RoughTet at the Ship

Instagram clip.

6. Bob Bowman and Peter Schlamb at Second Presbyterian Church

Review.

7. Evan Verplough and Ben Baker at World Culture KC

Review.

8. Rod Fleeman at Green Lady Lounge

9. Alter Destiny at Charlotte Street Foundation

Review.

10. Drew Williams, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House

Review.

Top Performances by Artists from Elsewhere

1. Nduduzo Makhathini at the Blue Room

Review.

2. Ohma at the Midland theater

Review.

3. Livia Nestrovski and Henrique Eisenmann at the 1900 Building

Review.

4. High Pulp at recordBar

Review.

5. Phillip Greenlief at Bushranger Records

Review.

6. Terence Blanchard at Atkins Auditorium

Review.

7. Keefe Jackson, Jakob Heinemann and Adam Shead at Black Dolphin

Instagram photo.

8. Esthesis Quartet at the Blue Room

Instagram clip.

9. Kind Folk at the Black Box

Instagram clip.

10. Bill Summers and Forward Back at Dunbar Park

Review.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Giovanni Russonello of The New York Times suggests that one of Logan Richardson and Blues People’s sets at the Village Vanguard in May was “the sparsest show I had been to the Vanguard in years in terms of attendance and it was the best show that I had been to at the Vanguard in years” in an episode of Popcast.

*Steve Kraske chatted with the McFadden Brothers and Candace Evans on KCUR’s Up To Date.

*Joe Dimino documented a street party fueled by the Back Alley Brass Band.

*Anteloper’s July 9 concert in Columbia is previewed by Aarik Danielson for The Columbia Daily Tribune.

*Tweet of the Week: Next On TCM- PETE KELLY'S BLUES (1955) Jack Webb, Janet Leigh, Edmond O'Brien. Dir: Jack Webb 12:00 PM ET The jazz band's leader gets mixed up with a gangster in '20s Kansas City. 1h 35m | Crime | TV-PG

Pitch Imperfect

The introduction of The Pitch’s new music issue suggests “the entirety of KC’s music scene is jazz-incarnate.” Yet not one of the more than two dozen acts featured in the publication’s overview performs improvised music. The staff of The Pitch is free to apply its editorial discretion as it sees fit. Yet the snub is consistent with the systematic disregard of jazz in Kansas City. Neglecting the robust contributions of current innovators such as Seth Davis, Kelley Gant, Adam Larson, Eddie Moore, Logan Richardson, Peter Schlamb and Evan Verplough is the latest example of the ongoing erasure of jazz by the city’s conventional powerbrokers.

Concert Review: Nduduzo Makhathini at the Blue Room

Gerald Dunn of the American Jazz Museum told an audience of about 50 at the Blue Room on Friday, June 3, that the first set of Nduduzo Makhathini’s two-night residency at the Blue Room would be briefly delayed because Lonnie Plaxico’s bass “exploded.”  The South African pianist, Kansas City saxophonist Logan Richardson and Cuban drummer Francisco Mela ultimately opted to begin without the storied bassist.  

The mishap was quickly transformed into an advantage.  In one of many astounding moments, Makathini placed his hands on his knees and swayed back and forth as Mela’s explosive drumming propelled Richardson’s ascending solo into the stratosphere.  Explaining his intent a few minutes later, Makhathini said he’s committed to “pushing toward the unknown” with a sound that “escapes the realm of definitions.”  

His 11 albums as a leader can be characterized as spiritual jazz. Makathini insisted his music also reflects South Africa’s “dysfunctionality and displacement” and “violent historical past.”  With the aid of a replenished Plaxico in the second half of the 65-minute set, the quartet forged spiritually transcendent and intellectually illuminating art of the highest order.

Concert Review: Logan Richardson + Blues People at the Ship

A perceptible anomaly prior to the homecoming concert of Logan Richardson + Blues People at the Ship on Thursday, May 19, indicated the evening would be memorable. The five musicians swaggered with confidence while socializing in a recently opened annex of the venue at which more than 100 revelers paid a $10 cover charge.  Gloating is uncommon among Kansas City jazz musicians.

The men backed up their bold dispositions with a correspondingly towering 80-minute performance.  Unapologetically loud and abrasive, the quintet exhibited a remarkable rapport strengthened during a tour that included a five-night stand at New York City’s jazz shrine the Village Vanguard.  The potency of the outing was hardly a surprise.  

Richardson, Plastic Sax’s 2019 Person of the Year, and vibraphonist/keyboardist Peter Schlamb, Plastic Sax’s 2018 Person of the Year, are arguably Kansas City’s most exciting musicians.  They brought out the best in each other.  The metal-edged guitarist Igor Osypov, the inventive bassist Dominique Sanders and the thrilling young drummer Nazir Ebo are also standout musicians.

The voice Richardson expresses through his saxophone attack, distinctive compositions and decisive bandleading skill has never been more eloquent.  In a heartfelt soliloquy, he name-checked Kansas City jazz forebears including Ahmad Alaadeen, Jay McShann, Eddie Saunders and Claude Williams.  Richardson’s bold innovations and rightful self-assurance honor their legacies.

Now's the Time: Logan Richardson

Four days after completing a five-day run on the hallowed stage of The Village Vanguard, Logan Richardson + Blues People play a homecoming concert at The Ship on Thursday, May 19. The band consists of saxophonist Richardson, guitarist Igor Osypov, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb, bassist Dominique Sanders and drummer Ryan J. Lee.

Now’s the Time: Logan Richardson

Logan Richardson returns to the Blue Room on Saturday, February 26.  Steve Paul documented the Kansas City saxophonist’s appearance with an all-star band at the venue four months ago in the embedded video.