RECORD REVIEWS

Drake

Album: “More Life”

Grade: B

According to Drake, his 2015 projects, “If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late,” and “What a Time to Be Alive [with Future]” were “mixtapes.” Last year’s “Views,” by contrast, was an “album.” “More Life” is a “playlist.”

What’s the difference? It has to do with expectation management and ambition. “Views” spun off several hits and was a massive commercial success, but it disappointed artistically, weighed down by a sense of seriousness and a dearth of featured guests. Because it was an official album, the Toronto rapper, a marketing whiz who keeps his digital-age audience sated with various forms of content, felt the need to carry the creative load on his own.

“More Life” is much looser, more freewheeling. It’s got standout guest raps from Young Thug and 2 Chainz, a gorgeous ballad snippet from Brit piano man Sampha, and contributions from UK grime luminaries Skepta and Giggs.

The song “Can’t Have Everything” ends with a recording of a voicemail from Drake’s mother, Sandi Graham, quoting Michelle Obama and admonishing her son about “the confrontation I’m hearing in your tone these days.” On “More Life,” Drake lightens up and takes Mom’s advice, and fun times are had by all.

— Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer

Bill Evans Trio

Album: “On A Monday Evening”

Grade: A

“On A Monday Evening” is the first release of a 1976 recording by the Bill Evans Trio, a concert that finds the influential pianist and his partners in outstanding form. Sharing the stage with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund on Evans originals such as “Sugar Plum” and “Time Remembered” or standards such as “All of You” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” the leader and his ensemble’s improvisational brilliance makes this release well worth discovering.

Recorded at the University of Wisconsin Theater, the sound is well-balanced, surprisingly good mono and feels intimate despite the large auditorium.

The impact of Bill Evans on jazz pianists and beyond – from Keith Jarrett to Lyle Mays to Fred Hersch – has been described as “overpowering.” From his contributions to Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” to his groundbreaking trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, Evans innovated, fascinated and entertained in large measure.

Over the nearly 47 minutes in this set, Evans, Gomez and Zigmund add a precious chapter to their high-caliber legacy.

— Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press