A Jazz Fest Preview with New Music from Jon Cleary, Seun Kuti, and Goose

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, by Steve Rapport

Artists playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell previewed new releases last week.

On April 25—just in time for Jazz Fest—Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen will release The Bywater Sessions, a no frills recording in his home studio that’s all about the groove, feel and power of R&B and funk. For the occasion, Cleary’s Absolute Monster Gentlemen include Cornell Williams (bass), A.J. Hall (drums), Lettuce’s Nigel Hall (Hammond organ), Pedro Segundo (percussion), Xavier Lynn (guitar), and Aaron Narcisse, Charlie Halloran and Jason Mingledorff on horns.

The first track from the album, “So Damn Good,” feels like gospel, treating the music itself like the higher power.

Con Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen will play Jazz Fest the first weekend of Jazz Fest..

Last year, Seun Kuti released Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head), produced by Lenny Kravitz. This week, he released “Love & Revolution (Cinnamon Version)” featuring Adi Oasis. Kuti is the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela, and he has positioned himself as the person keeping Fela’s legacy alive, leading his band Egypt 80. Last year’s version’s was largely instrumental, but the “Cinnamon Version” fills much of the instrumental, sax-driven space with Adi Oasis’ vocals.

Seun Kuti will play during the first weekend of Jazz Fest, April 24-27.

Goose will occupy the jam band slot when it makes its debut at Jazz Fest this year on April 25. Their new album, Everything Must Go, is due out the next day, and so far it has released two songs from it, “Lead Up” and “Give it Time.” Both are fine, but they’re best heard as the starting point for the live performances.

They’ll play on the first Thursday, April 24, at Jazz Fest.