The Lush Life Blog
Album of the Month: Chicago Underground Duo – Hyperglyph
Chicago Underground Duo, the enduring collaboration between cornetist Rob Mazurek and drummer Chad Taylor, return with Hyperglyph after an 11-year hiatus, their first album since 2014. Released on International Anthem, this collection represents 28 years of musical friendship distilled into 11 tracks that bridge free jazz tradition with electronic experimentation.
Album of the Month: Chicago Underground Duo – Hyperglyph
Chicago Underground Duo, the enduring collaboration between cornetist Rob Mazurek and drummer Chad Taylor, return with Hyperglyph after an 11-year hiatus, their first album since 2014. Released on International Anthem, this collection represents 28 years of musical friendship distilled into 11 tracks that bridge free jazz tradition with electronic experimentation.
The History of CTI Records: How Creed Taylor Brought Jazz to the Masses
When you pull out a CTI Records album, you're holding more than just vinyl. You're holding a piece of one of the most ambitious experiments in jazz history: bringing sophisticated improvisation to mainstream audiences without compromising artistic integrity. Founded by producer Creed Taylor in 1967, CTI revolutionised how jazz could sound, look and sell. Discover the label that bridged jazz virtuosity with pop appeal, and why these records still matter.
The History of CTI Records: How Creed Taylor Brought Jazz to the Masses
When you pull out a CTI Records album, you're holding more than just vinyl. You're holding a piece of one of the most ambitious experiments in jazz history: bringing sophisticated improvisation to mainstream audiences without compromising artistic integrity. Founded by producer Creed Taylor in 1967, CTI revolutionised how jazz could sound, look and sell. Discover the label that bridged jazz virtuosity with pop appeal, and why these records still matter.
The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2025
2025 proved to be an exceptional year for jazz, showcasing the genre's remarkable ability to evolve whilst honouring its roots. From London's vibrant scene to Chicago's experimental hub, from avant-garde exploration to deeply personal expression, this year's standout releases demonstrated that jazz remains one of contemporary music's most vital creative forces.
The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2025
2025 proved to be an exceptional year for jazz, showcasing the genre's remarkable ability to evolve whilst honouring its roots. From London's vibrant scene to Chicago's experimental hub, from avant-garde exploration to deeply personal expression, this year's standout releases demonstrated that jazz remains one of contemporary music's most vital creative forces.
Album of the Month: Makaya McCraven – Off The Record
Spontaneous composition meets studio precision on the Chicago beat scientist's most ambitious project yet. At the beginning of Off The Record, Makaya McCraven's voice cuts through the opening of "YoYoYo Intro" with a simple declaration: this is improvised music, spontaneous composition. It's a fitting introduction to what might initially appear daunting: a sprawling double album compiling four distinct EPs, recorded across a decade, spanning three continents, featuring rotating casts of some of contemporary jazz's finest players. But McCraven, who has...
Album of the Month: Makaya McCraven – Off The Record
Spontaneous composition meets studio precision on the Chicago beat scientist's most ambitious project yet. At the beginning of Off The Record, Makaya McCraven's voice cuts through the opening of "YoYoYo Intro" with a simple declaration: this is improvised music, spontaneous composition. It's a fitting introduction to what might initially appear daunting: a sprawling double album compiling four distinct EPs, recorded across a decade, spanning three continents, featuring rotating casts of some of contemporary jazz's finest players. But McCraven, who has...
The Best Australian Jazz Albums of the 21st Century (So Far)
Some of the most innovative jazz of the past 25 years has been coming from Australia. From The Necks' hypnotic minimalism to Hiatus Kaiyote's Grammy-nominated future soul, from Mildlife's cosmic funk to ARIA-winning vocal jazz, these world-class recordings deserve shelf space alongside your Blue Note classics.
The Best Australian Jazz Albums of the 21st Century (So Far)
Some of the most innovative jazz of the past 25 years has been coming from Australia. From The Necks' hypnotic minimalism to Hiatus Kaiyote's Grammy-nominated future soul, from Mildlife's cosmic funk to ARIA-winning vocal jazz, these world-class recordings deserve shelf space alongside your Blue Note classics.
Joni Mitchell was a jazz singer (and nobody wants to admit it)
From the mid-1970s onward, Joni Mitchell wasn't making folk music with jazz influences. She was making actual jazz records. With Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Charles Mingus as collaborators, she created some of the most adventurous music of the era.
Joni Mitchell was a jazz singer (and nobody wants to admit it)
From the mid-1970s onward, Joni Mitchell wasn't making folk music with jazz influences. She was making actual jazz records. With Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Charles Mingus as collaborators, she created some of the most adventurous music of the era.