Tom Moon
Tom Moon has been writing about pop, rock, jazz, blues, hip-hop and the music of the world since 1983.
He is the author of the New York Times bestseller 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die (Workman Publishing), and a contributor to other books including The Final Four of Everything.
A saxophonist whose professional credits include stints on cruise ships and several tours with the Maynard Ferguson orchestra, Moon served as music critic at the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1988 until 2004. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GQ, Blender, Spin, Vibe, Harp and other publications, and has won several awards, including two ASCAP-Deems Taylor Music Journalism awards. He has contributed to NPR's All Things Considered since 1996.
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Kadhja Bonet grew up in a family surrounded by music — she learned to play the violin and the viola, studied music theory, but then pursued a degree in film. After graduating, she dove back into music. Her sophomore album, Childqueen shows Bonet's idiosyncratic talent.
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For the past 18 years, the Bad Plus, has been playing catchy, high energy music and redefining what a jazz trio can be. This year pianist Ethan Iverson announced he is leaving the trio. But contrary to popular belief, Bad Plus found a new pianist and released a new album.
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Drummer Brian Blade plays in legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter's current quartet. But for the past two decades, he has also led his own project, the Brian Blade Fellowship. Music reviewer Tom Moon says his latest album Body and Shadow lures the listener with a lyrical, singable melody.
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Canadian singer and songwriter Feist has just released her first album in six years called Pleasure. Music reviewer Tom Moon says it is intimate, raw and rooted in her personal struggle over the past couple of years.
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On the Argentine singer's new album, she's reached a zen place where the very texture of a tone becomes its own language.
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Fans of the Los Angeles native's work with Kendrick Lamar may be surprised to hear the old-school pop sensibilities that define his latest album.
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Though Motown's hits were recorded in a studio, newly discovered live recordings of session guitarist Dennis Coffey make the case that the label's iconic sound was forged in Detroit's nightclub scene.
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Music critic Tom Moon reviews the latest release from the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers.
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White's new retrospective compilation, Jack White Acoustic Recordings, 1998-2016, highlights his delightfully scrambled, playful approach to American roots music.
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On his new album, Gregory Porter continues to redefine what it means to be a jazz singer. NPR's Tom Moon reviews Take Me to the Alley.