By Andy Beta, eMusic ContributorIn most other cultures, the beard is a sign of maturity, wisdom, an indicator of "yang" energy; but in America, the bearded are pushed to the fringe, to the brambled outskirts of a well-groomed, highly… more »
By Andy Beta, eMusic Contributor"Take my music back to the church," guitarist Ulmer threatens with a slight tremor, and it's both opening title and operating dogma on Birthright. On this side of the 21st century, Ulmer sees how this… more »
By Andy Beta, eMusic ContributorWhile he would've always been a post-bop guitarist of some regard, James "Blood" Ulmer took his craft further by bringing Ornette Coleman's revolutionary Harmolodic ideas to his instrument, imbuing labyrinthine funk and frenzied rock to… more »
By John Morthland, eMusic ContributorThe Ponderosa Stomp, which is organized essentially by record collectors and takes place in New Orleans mid-week between the two Jazzfest weekends, is an eMusic.com kind of event. It's a two-night, marathon (6 PM to… more »
By Britt Robson, eMusic ContributorJames "Blood" Ulmer crashed into public consciousness more than a quarter-century ago as a protégé of avant garde jazz master Ornette Coleman, juicing up Coleman's funky, "harmolodic" pretzel logic with torrid electric guitar. The new… more »