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CD Reviews: Greg Chako, “Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd,” and “Where We Find Ourselves.”
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Posted by: adminon Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:07 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Guitarist, composer and bandleader Greg Chako offers two recent new albums recorded and released from Japan between April of last year and January 2006. An American from Cincinnati, Ohio, who has also previously studied and worked in New York, Chako has been living and performing throughout Asia, where he is well established in a career that has taken him from Hong Kong to Singapore to his current home in Japan. Playing the guitar has been his life passion and he is no novice. A seasoned musician, Greg has recorded seven albums of music that ranges from straight-ahead and mainstream to progressive world jazz styles. His prowess on the guitar is evident from the first lick you hear and to me his style is comparable to the great Wes Montgomery and the contemporary Pat Metheny. What impressed me most was not so much his musicianship as his writing. Greg’s original charts are rich and full of refreshing new melodies and rhythms.
These two new albums are a stark contrast in almost every way you could think of.
Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd is a live recording of duets featuring Greg with two Japanese pianist playing on different tracks and vocalist Andrea Hopkins on the other numbers. Where We Find Ourselves is a two CD album studio recording with a small combo that packs a punch.
Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd:
This album is a live recording of sixteen time-honored old standards and classic tunes from some legendary composers such as Johnny Mercer, Rodgers/Hart, Sammy Cahn, Billy Strayhorn, Ellington and even Sergio Mendez.
The set starts off with seven and a half minutes of Henry Mancini’s classic “Days of Wine and Roses” showcasing the talent of Japanese pianist Homei Matsumoto and the wizardry of Chako’s play on guitar. Atlanta-based vocalist Andrea Hopkins joins Greg on a beautiful version of Rogers & Hart’s “I Could Write A Book.” Ms. Hopkins appears on six other tracks. The leader shines all over this album from his soft play on “Portrait of Jenny” and “I Wish You Love,” to the Samba-tinged “So Many Stars,” the mid-tempo
“Autumn Leaves” to the quick moving Strayhorn standard “Take The “A” Train.” Greg is also featured with another master pianist, Hiroshi Tanaka that rounds out a live and unforgettable performance producing an album of great selections of wonderful light and warm jazz.
Label: Chako Production
Year: 2006
Artist Website: www.gregchako.com
Where We Find Ourselves:
A two CD album of fifteen original compositions by Chako who records the set with trombonist Pat Hallaran, Andy Bevan on tenor/soprano and flute, Mark DeRose on drums, Robbie Belgrade on bass clarinet and percussions and Mark Tourian on bass. This sextet produces one heck of a sound. The leader’s unselfishness shows by the enormous solo space provided to his band mates.
There are so many good tunes here to choose from. “Wave of Love” offers some tasty melodies in a slightly percussive number. “April Wind” howls with a swinging beat that prominently features the horns and stylish licks by Chako. Turning soft and mellow, the band plays “Takachon (take 2)” a nice piece of music very similar to the Johnny Mercer/Mandel classic “Emily.” There are a host of other notable tunes like the cool and breezy “It’s Only You,” the Samba shaded “Long Summer Samba,” and “Josephine.”
Where We Find Ourselves is an album you will play often. Melody-rich, fresh new material and a masterful performance by guitarist Greg Chako and crew, make this album a must for everyone’s jazz collection.
Label: Chako Productions
Year: 2005
Artist Website: www.gregchako.com
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