"Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from the Indigo plant, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the color is deeper than the plant itself." The phrase, greater than the sum of it's parts, suggests a thing is better than you would expect from the individual parts, because the way they combine adds a different quality. This principle describes the synergy which exists between individuals working together in a cooperative effort. Collectively, they are able to achieve an outcome superior to individual efforts.

Captain Supernova (C.SN) is a fictional Astronaut created by composer and arranger Eric Borders. The music for C.SN is inspired by Sci-fi Soundtracks, Jazz-Fusion, Prog Rock, and Soul music. The music for C.SN plays as the musical background to the story of the fictional Astronaut traveling through space and sending his message back to Earth.

Away From The Many is fifteen tracks that walk us through Bennett’s vision, one of which is a haunting version of Elton John’s Benny And The Jets. By playing something we all recognize in a similar style, Bennett is beckoning us to understand his method and his intent. That understanding is instant, and once you’ve heard the cover you want to start all over again. Yet added to the end of the album are two remixes; Richard connected with Aaron Dolton through the Ropeadope family and the two quickly found synergy. The remixes underscore Bennett’s vision of finding a way forward through exploration and common feeling.

Preverbal is a visceral statement, a kinetic exploration of harmony and rhythm driven by Stevens’ masterful playing and singular melding of elements of experimental, jazz and rock. The album blooms and disintegrates over 8 original songs that are immersive and muscular, dark and joyous. Preverbal was recorded with Stevens’ core band of Eric Doob on drums and Vicente Archer on bass, plus synthesizer and deft touches of sound manipulation and studio craft. It also features a soaring guest vocal appearance from Esperanza Spalding on album closer “Our Reunion.”

Holding it down in Boston for over ten years, Akashic Record returns with their second Ropeadope release - Big Bang - set to hit Friday May 5th. Big Bang continues the organ driven funk and soul sound that the band delivers with perfection. Brian Thomas on the trombone, Jared Sims on Baritone Sax, Steve Fell on Guitar, Peter MaClean on Drums, Darby Wolf on Piano, and of course Sam Gilman on the Organ. This is classic groove, tight and funky, just polished a little with plenty of grit. Dig it.

We met Winston Byrd when he was back in Philly recording with Jimmy Stephens, and we picked up his positive, life embracing energy right away. We'd seen the who's who of people he has played with, and it wasn't long before he brought up the idea of a solo project. Our response - let's do it! A handshake and a beer later it was set, and Winston disappeared into LA studio land with a remarkable cast of young musicians. And now it's here - Once Upon A Time Called Right Now describes Winston's approach to life and music - challenging, energetic, charging in to the fray with the trumpet as his weapon of choice. There are some rather interesting, timeless selections on the record - Byrd has a way of making the old sound new, and the new sound classic.

RC Williams really outdoes himself here – moving The Gritz way past their previous role as the backing band for Erkyah Badu – and finding their own wonderfully strong sense of soul! The groove is fantastic right from the start – funky, but very fresh in approach – with lots of crisp crackle on the edges, but never in that overdone way that sometimes buries other groups – and mixed with plenty more organic instrumentation that changes nicely throughout! The singers shift too, but never in a way that feels schizophrenic – as there's a really collaborative spirit to the whole record – singers and musicians, performance and studio – all coming together to make something really fresh and wonderful. Titles include "The Feel", "Lessons", "Feathers", "Good Day To You Sir", "Anxiety", "Jazz & Reverse", and "I'll Be Waiting For You".

Being one of the newest percussion instruments on the planet, (circa 1939) the steel pan is actually on a similar timeline with the development of modern jazz. Taking into consideration strong African influences and a hybridization process, they appear to be a natural combination. Pan Master Leon Foster Thomas has taken the instrument most associated with his homeland of Trinidad, right into the heart of jazz composition and performance with Metamorphosis, in a bold rhythmic and melodic encounter.

His father was a railroad man and Mike picked up a great understanding of different musical styles around the country while riding the rails. From Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters to a long list of the greats, Mike Clark shows how it’s done both on the drums and as a Jazzman. Hip, positive, and adventurous at 70, Mike met up with his longtime friend Delbert Bump and together they tracked an album of Hammond based grooves - Retro Report, bringing in young Elias Lucero to rip it up on guitar with some horn touches from Vince Denham and Rob Dixon. This is your Father’s Jazz, your Sister’s Jazz, your long lost Uncle Benny’s Jazz, and your Grandson’s Jazz. That is to say it crosses the span of time with a master’s flick of the wrist.

The liner notes of Red Hook Soul tell the story - a positive dedication to both perfection of the musical craft and to the strength of the neighborhood. This record is not about pyrotechnics despite the incredible playing from the entire band - it's about a seasoned set of musicians down at the corner bar with a deep understanding of the roots of music and culture. The title track feels like an old friend, moving you down the road on the way to work at the shipyard. The rest speak of stops along the way, with a funky tribute to the great King Curtis right in the middle. Stop by here for the story, and support this seamlessy crafted piece of history.

Berlin New Jersey. Not the Berlin of world fame, just a small town in South Jersey where dreams begin. Matt Cappy grew up in Berlin with trumpet in hand, inspired by band concerts where his sister played clarinet, and by his mother’s piano playing. Eager to learn, he played in school and in church, where director Bill Garton and teachers Joe Fallon and Rick Kerber led him forward. Philadelphia’s University Of The Arts was next, and Matt was quickly immersed in the Philly Jazz scene. Keeping his hometown connections strong, he landed a gig through Rick Kerber to play with Tony Bennett in Atlantic City.

Hailing from Charleston, West Virginia, but now resident in NYC, Jared Pauley's first musical experiments were with the guitar but he abandoned this in favor of piano as a teenager. His influences include Herbie Hancock, George Duke and Chick Corea and his first purchased albums were Miles Davis' Milestones (Columbia, 1958), Herbie Hancock's Headhunters (Columbia, 1973) and Tito Puente's Éxitos Eternos (Universal, 2004). Certainly the Corea and Puente influences are prevalent on this follow-up to his debut recording Systematic (Circle Road, 2016).

The incomparable Nate Smith has helped invigorate the Jazz scene over the last two decades with his visceral and deep-rooted style of drumming. From work with Jose James, Dave Holland, and Chris Potter, to his Grammy nominated debut album, KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere, Nate is on the scene. It seems that every day another musician or fan posts a video of Nate behind the kit, in awe of the style and and polish of his work. Now, Nate has prepared a solo drumset album dubbed Pocket Change - 11 improvised drum tracks of groove and feel, and of course technique.

Here we find Powell and Hoffman stretching out, but not relaxing at all. The mood is highly charged and powerful, with Powell hitting hard and Hoffman shredding like a chainsaw on razor wire. There are some subtle love songs on Love Songs, but many tracks that speak to the full experience of love - the energy, the tension, the elation and the agony. Love Songs is a concept album telling the story of the interpersonal relationship: starting with the end of one love, the discovery of a new- and the inevitable passing once again. Classic tracks are included to keep the concept in context - from Louis Jordan’s “Caledonia” and Nirvana’s “tourette’s,” to Fats Domino’s “Sick and Tired” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Jam 292.” It’s a wonder to see this unlikely Uncle/Nephew duo chart new territory with full appreciation of the past.

Jonathan Scales - the subtle and fashionable cat from Asheville NC with two mallets and a dream. When he first arrived at Ropeadope with his 'Fourchestra' he instantly changed the way we viewed the steel pan, with elaborate, sometimes delicate, often powerful compositions. Over the last five years Scales has persisted, winning over many of the best players in the game, and now he brings his latest project to the forefront. PILLAR is set for release on September 14, 2018, and it features none other than Jonathan's hero Bela Fleck and a cast of guests including Shaun Martin, Victor Wooten, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, MonoNeon, Jeff Coffin, and Oteil Burbridge. The core band is Jonathan with bassist E’Lon Jordan-Dunlap and drummer Maison Guidry, a killer lineup on its own.