Michael Marcus Quartet - Next Stop Down (2026)

Jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer Michael Marcus, who launched his solo career in 1991 after collaborating with blues and jazz legends, is widely recognized for his work across prominent collectives such as Cosmosamatics, SaxEmble, Blue Reality Quartet, and Duology. His 2022 debut on the ESP-Disk (ESP) label, titled Abstractions in Lime Caverns, prominently features the tarogato, a rare Hungarian woodwind instrument that delivers a crisp, euphoric sonic landscape. The album features a stellar lineup, including Reggie Williams, who infuses the tracks with funky, Monk-influenced concepts, alongside the tight rhythm section of Laurent Mednard and Raymond Rodriguez. Music critics consistently praise Marcus's avant-garde compositions, his improvisational brilliance, and his ability to balance on the stylistic edge between inside and outside jazz, positioning him alongside visionary jazz clarinetists.

Tracklist:
1-1 Michael Marcus Quartet - Mr. Monk Time [6:20]
1-2 Michael Marcus Quartet - That Far Is NOW [3:02]
1-3 Michael Marcus Quartet - Café in Tehachapi [11:00]
1-4 Michael Marcus Quartet - Zephyr Dialogues [3:13]
1-5 Michael Marcus Quartet - Next Stop Down! [7:42]
1-6 Michael Marcus Quartet - Mindfields In Opulence [4:54]
1-7 Michael Marcus Quartet - Frequency Bliss [6:50]
1-8 Michael Marcus Quartet - That Far Is NOW (Reprise) [1:31]