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Past Articles |
| Tuesday, October 27 |
| · | Graham Dechter, “Right On Time,” (0) |
| · | Slivovitz “Hubris” CD-2009 Moonjune (0) |
| Thursday, October 22 |
| · | Eddie Harris/Ellis Marsalis, “Homecoming,” The Reissue (0) |
| · | Ted Kooshian, “Underdog and Other Stories...” (0) |
| Friday, October 16 |
| · | Ramsey Lewis - Songs From the Heart - Rmasey Plays Ramsey (0) |
| Wednesday, October 07 |
| · | Charles Rumback “Two Kinds of Art Thieves” CD-2009 Clean Feed (0) |
| Tuesday, October 06 |
| · | Jesse Elder “The Winding Shell” CD-2009 Off (0) |
| Sunday, October 04 |
| · | Benny Reid, “Escaping Shadows” (0) |
| Friday, October 02 |
| · | The Jeff Hamilton Trio, “Symbiosis” (0) |
| Tuesday, September 29 |
| · | Wayne Krantz – Keith Carlock – Tim Lefebvre - CD-2009 Abstract Logix (0) |
| | Older Articles |
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This is Category: CD Reviews
Following are the News Items published under this Category.
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See all
CD Reviews: Wadada Leo Smith “Spiritual Dimensions” 2-CD 2009 Cuneiform Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 02:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Trumpet legend Wadada Leo Smith offers an array of persuasive contrasts with his largely acoustic Golden Quintet (Live at Vision XIII, 2008, New York City) and electrified Organic band (Live at Firehouse, 2009, New Haven, CT). On disc-one, the Golden Quintet generates a sliding-scale view of song-forms and improvisational jaunts. With acoustic pianist Vijay Iyer’s, clustering chords and intermittent synth treatments, the musicians delve into broad soundscapes and climatically-oriented motifs. Smith’s resonating and often, yearning lines spearhead a free-form and thoroughly expressionistic gala, subdivided by highs, lows and power-packed movements.
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CD Reviews: Harry Allen, “New York State of Mind”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
It's often been stated that New York City is the capital of the world—obviously an overstatement—but in terms of jazz, the big Apple seems to be the center of the action. Inspired by the city he now calls home, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen uses the city as the theme for his latest release selecting a repertoire of music written with New York in mind. Borrowing the title from Billy Joel's signature tune “New York State of Mind,” Allen attempts to capture a slice and the essence of the great city with a straightforward approach to the music using his appreciable talents with fresh new treatments to oft recored standards. The result of course is one classic session of light and tasteful contemporary jazz with a measure of swing and a touch of elegance.
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CD Reviews: Kyoko Oyobe Trio, “Cookin' at Smalls”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist Kyoko Oyobe from Okayama, Japan is a young lady whose love for jazz brought her to New York in 2006 for the opportunity to learn, develop and become a part of the jazz-rich environment in the Big Apple. This Oyobe has done by performing at various venues in New York while establishing her jazz credentials. Cookin' at Smalls is Oyobe's sensational debut album—recorded live in December 2008 at Smalls jazz club—a subterranean hot spot for jazz in New York's West Village—founded by Mitch Borden(Smalls and Fat Cat Clubs) who coincidently also provides the liner notes for the CD.
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CD Reviews: Wayne Escoffery “Uptown” CD-2009 Posi-Tone Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:19 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery transmits maturity beyond his years, and has been in the thick of things within modern jazz since the early 2000’s. He’s an impressive solo artist who has recorded and performed with trumpeter Tom Harrell, vibist Joe Locke and Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet among other jazz luminaries. Here, Escoffery conveys assertive leadership via the democratic group-centric format. And he possesses a fluent mode of attack, which is abetted by his near-flawless phraseology and authoritative presence.
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CD Reviews: Charles Evans – Neil Shah “Live at Saint Stephens” CD-2009 Hot Cup Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 12:20 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Teenage friends who were reared in the Pennsylvania countryside evolves into a fruitful musical relationship that shines luminously, especially here on this duo effort recorded at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Baritone saxophonist Charles Evans, on the wings of his highly-acclaimed 2009 solo outing “The King of All Instruments,” snagged 5 stars in Downbeat magazine, for example. And pianist Neil Shah has performed with a top echelon roster of jazz legends, such as trombonist/arranger Bob Brookmeyer and bassist Eddie Gomez. On this exceptional duo outing, the artists integrate chromatic intervals, emotive improvisation and nuance into a comprehensive musical vista, teeming with bluesy passages, stoic musings and more.
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CD Reviews: Betty Bryant..No Regrets..Bry Mar Music 2009
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 08:12 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Betty Bryant (piano, vocals) Robert Kyle (tenor, flute) Tomas Gargano
(bass) Kenny Elliott (drums)
Betty Bryant plays the piano like she invented it. This is an album that
all the cognoscenti will enjoy.
"Easy Street" Some blues make you swing and sway (not Sammy Kaye) Bryant
comps and sings her song with a bit of magic. The piano solo is both hip
and filled with ideas that only a skilled and well 'versed' singer/
pianist can employ. Robert Kyle is clearly inspired in his sax soliloquy
by Bryant's infectious influence.
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CD Reviews: Trio Reenactment, “What Once Was ...”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:22 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Coming off their self-titled debut of a couple of years ago offering a slice of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and contemporary jazz, Trio Reenactment present their second album, “What Once Was...,”this time melding straight-ahead jazz with a touch of soul and rock rhythms in an intimate studio session that demonstrates the group's versatility. Led by bassist John Barron, this traditional piano trio--featuring Sven Anderson on piano/keyboards and veteran drummer Rob Emanuel—together have been a a fixture in Detroit's rich musical community for some time. This friendly outing covers eight originals and the Smokey Robinson cover tune “Get Ready,” popularized by the pop group The Temptations.
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CD Reviews: Charlie Apicella& Iron City, “Sparks”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Jazz guitarist Charlie Apicella and his Iron City combo follow up their recent debut “Put The Flavor On It” with “Sparks,” an energetic collection of soulful, R&B and jazz music inspired by the many organ groups that pioneered the sound. Apicella—who studied with organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith and guitarist Dave Stryker—a leader of his organ trio—revives the classic organ trio sound made famous by Jimmy Smith and promoted by saxophonist Lou Donaldson and Dr. Lonnie Smith among others. With his core trio comprised of organist Dave Mattock and drummer Alan Korzin, Iron City explores a new sound by adding Stephen Riely on tenor saxophone and violinists John Blake, Jr. and Amy Bateman to the mix.
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CD Reviews: Holland/Rubalcaba/Potter/Harland “The Monterey Quartet: Live At the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 08:53 AM |
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Glen Astarita
CD-2009 Monterey Jazz Festival Records
Many historic performances were captured at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Surely, this meeting among modern day jazz champions should be considered a crowning achievement within MJF’s ongoing legacy. Other than pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Eric Harland have performed with legendary bassist Dave Holland’s small group ensembles, where each musician brings a distinct stylistic component to the forefront. Placing technique aside, the musicians spawn a near flawless mix of harmonically attractive works that are thoughtfully balanced at various levels.
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CD Reviews: Lew Woodall..Simply Cooking..2009
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 04:44 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Lew Woodall (guitar) Tom Harbeck (bass) Joel Lubliner (drums) Hod
O'Brien (piano)
Simply swinging is the byword. This quartet has the Old Dominion driving
in the fast lane. Lew Woodall's soliloquy on "Softly As In The Morning
Sunrise" is a study in real jazz, his ideation and O'Brien's solo are a
joy to listen to.
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CD Reviews: RG Royal Sound Orchestra, “Impact”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 08, 2010 - 05:29 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Miami-based Cuban-born music producer Recaredo Gutierrez combines his obvious cultural affiliation with Latin music and his love for the big band sound into one musical project of big band swing with a decidedly Latin twist. The new album “Impact,” is the debut recording of Gutierrez's 20-piece RG Royal Sound Orchestra presenting several familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook of the 60s and 70s and, with new and creative arrangements, transforms these popular oft recorded standards into a dazzling and brassy session of Afro-Cuban rhythms fused with a Spanish flamenco foundation. The fusion of a traditional jazz band sound with the flamenco influence is accomplished in part with the addition of eight musicians from Spain essentially augmenting the personnel to create a twenty-eight-piece ensemble on selected pieces.
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CD Reviews: Masters of American Music Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 08, 2010 - 09:31 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD 2009 Medici Arts: Distributed by NAXOS
It is well-documented that alto saxophonist Charlie Parker’s tragic addiction to heroin served as a prominent and unfortunate sidebar to his musical brilliance. This fifty-nine minute DVD originally issued in VHS format, was written and co-produced by award-winning jazz journalist and author, Gary Giddins. The film chronicles Parkers upbringing in Kansas City and obsession with music at an early age. Hence, Parker asked his mother to buy him an alto sax when he was twelve, yet at the time, music schools didn’t allow blacks. And he grew up admiring early tenor sax giants such as Leon “Chu” Berry, Lester Young, trumpeter Louis Armstrong and big band leader/alto saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey.
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CD Reviews: Stefano Bollani “Stone In The Water” CD-2009 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 09:54 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Recorded in New York, this 2009 album by Italian pianist Stefano Bollani is the first ECM Records date featuring his Danish Trio. With original compositions to complement Jobim’s “Bringas Nunca Mais,” and classical composer Francis Poulenc’s “Improvisation 12 en la Mineur,” the band transmits a distinct musical aura throughout. Essentially, Bollani generates levitation-like theme building motifs, where ascension and meditative melodies reside as core factors.
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CD Reviews: Katie Eagleson..On The Other Hand..Walking Path Records 2009
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 09:14 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Katie Eagleson with a 10 piece band and 16 tunes demonstrates her
absolute pitch and the ability swing. The tunes are well thought out and
the arrangements are apropos to the singing style of Eagleson.
"I Concentrate On You" is a song that touches the heart with lyrics that
are an example of the poetry of the American love song. Katie Eagleson
pays homage to this superb work of Cole Porter in fine fashion.
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CD Reviews: Tony Foster “In Between Moods”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 09:34 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from North Vancouver and currently based in the Seattle, Washington, Canadian pianist Tony Foster offers his debut trio recording with an ambitious repertoire of tunes that includes music from George and Ira Gershwin, John Clayton and Oscar Peterson among the mix of light jazz that features four sparkling originals. Along with bassist Russel Botten and drummer Joe Poole, the trio tackles Billy Strayhorn's classic “Take the A Train” in the opening track, inspired by the Ahmad Jamal arrangement of the tune, provides an upbeat perky rendition in contrast to the slow laid back style adopted by the Ellington band. Speaking of “perky,” wait till you sample Oscar Peterson's “Cakewalk” another lively piece of music that Foster admits was “CERTAINLY NOT a cakewalk to play!
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CD Reviews: Beppe Crovella “What’s Rattlin’ On The Moon? – A Personal Vision of the Music of Mike Ratledge”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 05:14 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2009 Moonjune Records
Beppe Crovella’s hallmark of ingenuity becomes prominent during this prismatic endeavor, where he covers the works of influential Soft Machine keyboardist Mike Ratledge. Decades have passed, yet Soft Machine’s legacy is irrefutably impressive amid various personnel changes and resurgent bands such as Soft Machine Legacy, to complement a consortium of vital reissues. Here, Crovella personalizes his approach while imparting a semi-retrospective spin, mainly due to his choice of ancient, yet beloved analog keys such as, Farfisa organ, mellotron and the Wurlitzer electric piano. The artist also emulates Ratledge’s signature, fuzzed-out Lowrey organ sound and integrates the acoustic component as well. Crovella does not use analog or digital synths on the album, which seems rather remarkable, due to the polytonal frameworks he conjures up throughout the program
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CD Reviews: Seamus Blake “Bellwether”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 08:00 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In 2008 Seamus Blake toured Europe with his quartet and came back with his first live recording as a leader with the a dynamite double CD set titled, “Live in Italy” released by the Italian label, Jazz Eyes. Blake returns to the Criss Cross Label, where he has produced the majority of his recordings, releasing a scintillating post-bop album of primarily original compositions. On “Bellwether,” the saxophonist features his creative improvisational skills and his knack for hard-driving solos presenting seven lively and challenging pieces that touch on styles from bop, Brazilian to the classical genre. With the exception of the Ivan Lins inspired Blake original, “A Beleza Que Vem” (The Beauty That Comes), where Blake takes on the soprano, and the ten-minute plus classical-tinged “String Quartet in G Minor, Opus 10,” from French Impressionist music pioneer Claude Debussy—the remaining repertoire is essentially all sizzling hard bop.
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CD Reviews: Noel Webb, “Give It All”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 10:05 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Considered one of the most popular pop violinist on mainstream radio today, Noel Webb has been praised by Jazz Times magazine as a “Violin prodigy [who} brings a unique voice to smooth jazz” and a sampling of “Give It All” certainly affirms that assertion. Though he is billed as “An innovative Rock violinist” on his credits,Webb graces jazz music with his five-string electric violin providing a modern fusion-like take to the smooth jazz music one is accustomed to hearing. Keeping it simple, Webb limits the music on this new recording to five carefully chosen songs preferring, as he put it to “create something that was easily accessible for fans, yet reflected the intensity of my live performances.” Unfortunately for those who may like the music, as this appraiser humbly endorses, “five easy pieces” falls woefully short of a full album session serving as perhaps the only detraction from the project.
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CD Reviews: The Bill McBirnie Duo/Quartet “Mercy”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 10:04 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Toronto-based flautist Bill McBirnie is recognized as one of Canada's premier jazz musicians performing straight-ahead and Latin jazz and comes out swinging on this mixed duo and quartet
format featuring the unique talents of jazz pianist Robi Botos of Hungarian Roma descent—who together with McBirnie—craft a diverse selection of sparkling contemporary jazz commanding serious attention. Showcasing a repertoire of several jazz standards presented in entirely new light, Mercy contains the music from legendary artists such as Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Charlie “Yardbird”Parker, John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: The Flip Side
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 10:19 AM |
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By Karl Stober
Its Christmas Time/Sylvia Bennett Release: Out of Sight Music (2009)
Ms. Bennett drops a blizzard of holiday comfort with this package of vocal tinsel this season. Her voice is coated with that fireplace appeal on a winters evening. As for the impact on the listener, you just want to celebrate the Yule tide with her resonance.
Produced by Hal Batt, he affords Ms. Bennett the room to extend her range and focus, thus stirring the season’s energy, capturing for the listeners that “chestnuts and eggnog” effect.
Sylvia Bennett gift wraps this exceptional and rhythmically vocal jazz appeal throughout each cut, never compromising that traditional balance of heart and hope. Many encores spin with this gift of joy!
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CD Reviews: Eishin Nose, “Inside Out Dream”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 10:09 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz pianist Eishin Nose continues his affinity for the free form style of jazz on his third album, “Inside Out Dream” where he delves further into the free style genre painting a musical canvas of intricate lines and sophisticated grooves. Somewhat of a free spirit in the jazz world, Nose's bent for pure improvisational music is evident from the two brief pieces simply titled “Nobody's in Particular” parts one and two, where perhaps only true aficionados of the genre will appreciate the unstructured sounds. This however, dose not define the entire work on this album for Nose does have a gift for composition and delivers several note worthy scores.
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CD Reviews: David MacKenzie/ Josh Johnston, “Notes Home”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 09:20 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Hailing from Ireland, violinist David MacKenzie and pianist Josh Johnston release “Notes Home,”their second album together and follow up to their 2004 recording of “A Minor Happiness,” essentially a concept album and duet of violin and piano. Unlike their first meeting, the duo enlist help from fellow countrymen guitarist Stephen McFarlane, bassist Andrew Csibi and percussionist Robbie Harris adding a bit more texture to the music. There are thirteen originals of light mellow and ballad-like pieces some drawing inspiration from the music Frenchman Stephane Grapelli and Joe Venuti, considered the father of the jazz violin.
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CD Reviews: Dave Rivello Ensemble, “Facing The Mirror”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 09:19 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An educator at the Eastman School of Music and former student of legendary composer and arranger Bob Brookmeyer, Rivello's large ensemble has been playing regularly for the past eight years at the renowned Village Vanguard. Pared down from a 17-piece orchestra to a 12-piece light ensemble, The Dave Rivello Ensemble makes its recording debut performing eight original compositions and arrangements on the sparkling new CD “Facing The Mirror.” Not your typical big band sound, Rivello's music is modern mainstream material layered with sophisticated harmonies a-typical of traditional swing or classical big band music.
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CD Reviews: Timucin Sahin Quartet “Bafa”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 10:32 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2009 Between The Lines
Turkish jazz guitarist Timucin Sahin relocated to Holland in 1992, then sought higher education in Hilversum and Amsterdam, followed by studies at New York City’s Manhattan School of Music. But it’s not all about his clinical approach, and more about the unique technical and compositional style he brings to the forefront. Sahin performs on six and seven string electric guitars while incorporating live electronics to round out a superfine band, featuring alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher.
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CD Reviews: Mike Longo..Sting Like A Bee..Cap 1018..2009
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 10:58 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Mike Longo (piano), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)
The mere mention of Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson et al is a sure
indication of the swingability of an album.
Mike Longo has a long history of associations with the top players in
jazz and it is evident in this album from track one to track twelve.
I have had the pleasure of hearing Longo in person with Diz and in my
mind there is no one with more heft to carry on the tradition of
Gillespie and co. than Mr. Longo. This trio swings like the Flying
Wallenda's and then some.
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CD Reviews: Beppe Crovella “Pianovagando” CD-2009 Electromantic Music
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 10:55 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Italian keyboardist Beppe Crovella wears many musical hats. Longtime member of estimable progressive-rock band, Arti & Mestieri and composer for cartoons amid avant-garde proclivities and other successful ventures, he embarks upon a solo piano setting on this captivating release. With fifty-seven largely brief, concise and interweaving tracks, Crovella induces gobs of sentiment throughout these endearing vignettes.
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CD Reviews: Roni Ben-Hur “Fortuna” CD-2009 Motema
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:50 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
History will dictate that you can count on guitarist, educator, and author Roni Ben-Hur to produce a quality product. A much-admired technician and idea-man, his seventh release as a leader presents a modern mainstream outlook, spiced with Steve Kroon’s buoyant and textural world-groove percussion treatments. Ben-Hur’s band signifies a jazz superstar conglomeration, including pianist Ronnie Mathews, who sadly, died of pancreatic cancer on June 28, 2008.
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CD Reviews: Lisa Hilton Twilight & Blues
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:42 PM |
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WaxTrenzz
Artists: Lisa Hilton (piano), Lewis Nash (drums), Larry Grenadier (bass), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) and J.D. Allen (tenor sax)
Tracks: Pandemonium, Woodstock, What's Going On/Extended, City Streets, Turbulent Blue, Twilight, Kozmic Blues, Blue for You, Moon River, What's Going On
Review: The music is an attachment of her soul. The arrangements are an extension of her vision. The performance is her heart injected into ours, and this is the legacy of pianist Lisa Hilton, as she again employs the ivories in 2009. Ruby Slippers Production surpasses its other projects with Hilton, offering Twilight & Blues, a new angelic instrumental articulation, chiseled by compassion, which escalates her degree of prominence in the global jazz hemisphere once again.
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CD Reviews: Eyal Maoz’s Edom “Hope and Destruction” CD-2009 Tzadik Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 02:23 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Israel-born guitarist Eyal Maoz pulls many tricks out of his bag for his second release on Tzadik Records. With traditional Jewish music underpinnings here and there, the artist morphs a wild concoction of avant-garde expressionism with retro hard-rock and apocalyptic type opuses. And in spots, the quartet renders what might be considered new-wave psychedelic music, featuring bone-shattering bass and guitar lines amid pulsating straight-four rockers.
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CD Reviews: Edmar Castaneda, “Entre Cuerdas” (Between the Strings)
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 08:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
When it comes to jazz music, the first instruments that come to mind are the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, the piano and drums, but never the harps! Well,Columbian-born harpist Edmar Castaneda has successfully forged a place in the jazz world by fusing traditional Latin jazz with Columbian folk music using the harp as the lead instrument in producing an enchanting genre-bending sound. With “Entre Cuerdas,” the harpist continues his exploration of jazz and his audacious transformation of the “jazz harp,” into one of the most exciting, innovative and unique sounds in jazz today. A technician on the instrument, Castaneda provides a remarkable performance at times sounding like a classical flamenco guitarist and at other times plucking bass lines and melodies with feverish passion.
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