Elevations
Elevations
(Corona Music)
Over an hour of tunes, nearly all original, from this group of young local jazz players, including some second- and third-generation musicians with names like DeFade, Benack and Heid. Smooth stuff, nicely composed and expertly played, with guest spots from folks like Carolyn Perteete and Dahi Divine. Nice to see the Pittsburgh jazz standard borne by some young faces.
ELEVATIONS CD RELEASE. 8 p.m. Sat., March 9. James Street Gastropub & Speakeasy, 422 Foreland St., North Side. Free. 412-904-3335
Badboxes
JSMN
(Self-released)
Seven tracks from the new project from local songwriter Harrison Wargo, who seemingly never ages, as he's still just 22. This is a self-produced venture into electronic beats and smooth pop music — it ranges from post-Postal Service synthpop to verging-on-contemporary R&B. Wargo is a talented guy with something to say, and we'll be hearing more from him soon.
BADBOXES with BLUE OF COLORS. 9:30 p.m. Thu., March 7. Lava Lounge, 2204 E. Carson St., South Side. $5. 412-431-5282
Complete Failure
The Art Gospel of Aggravated Assault
(Season of Mist)
New full-length from the local grindcore/metalcore outfit, released on the French label Season of Mist (Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse). Exciting and sonically challenging bursts of blast-beat aggression and intense breakdowns. The band shows a robust versatility over 10 songs that last only 22 minutes total.