Honing his chops on reggae, funk, and blues, Austin guitarist Mitch Chandler commits to jazz on debut EP Seasons. Joined by pianist Sean Giddings, bassist Chris Maresh, and drummer Wayne Salzmann, the Virginia native pays homage to the Sixties. Not its psychedelia, but the moody, melodic improv found behind monotone photos of jazz geniuses. “Autumn” treads too close to easy listening, but the bluesy strut of “Summer” and the easy swing of “Spring” show Chandler to be a contender, as both player and composer.

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This article appears in April 6 • 2018.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.