Music Monday: Andrew Hill, Chad Taylor, Mourning [A]BLKstar, and Peter Evans

This time of year is always fun. Not only do we get end of year lists, but the hectic bustle of the semester relaxes into a bit more unstructured time giving me a chance to listen more!

First, and I know that I’ve shared this before, is Andrew Hill’s amazing Black Fire (1964). Hill and Joe Henderson (who is on fire on this album; see what I did there?) play with Richard Davis on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums. This album is beyond amazing: 

Then some or another list tipped me off to drummer Chad Taylor Quintet’s Smoke Shifter that dropped in November. I don’t know this band (but, of course, I know Chad Taylor who plays with everyone), but Jonathan Finlayson (on trumpet), Bryan Rogers (Tenor Saxophone), Victor Vieira-Branco (vibes), and Matt Engle (bass) are tight (and apparently, according to the liner notes, play in a “dialogue”). Taylor’s drumming is compelling in this setting. The album exudes space with the vibes adding a kind of tonal ambiance especially to the drums and Finleyson’s trumpet. 

To check out the entire album go here, for the title track see below:

Another list tipped me off to Mourning [A]BLKstar whose 2025 album Flowers for the Living got some buzz. This is album is on heavy rotation in my house right now. I know nothing about the group other than they are a “Cleveland based Afrofuturist collective.” What’s not to love?

Finally, this album came out Friday. I knew about trumpeter Peter Evan’s work, but I hadn’t really listened to him or any of his ensembles. I decided to check out his duet with drummer Mike Pride, A Window, Basically (2025). I mean, any time there is a trumpet-drums duo, I’m in for at least one listen. This one is worth it. Searching, soaring, gravelly and glacier trumpet across polyrhythmic drumming. It feels like the future. Or something.