IMPROVIJAZZATION Nation
Issue # 100 REVIEWS
New! New! New! Zzaj PODCAST!
We now have 3 TOTALLY FREE CD's (with free cover art) available for download at our NETLABEL site! The only thing we ask is that you scroll to the bottom of the page(s) & give us a REVIEW! Please ADVERTISE this to ALL your friends... tell them we are GIVING AWAY music!
Ann
Sweeten
-
JUST THIS SIDE OF SPRING:
My last review of Ann's superb piano works was sometime back, in issue
#77,
just after returning from overseas. This CD is just as beautiful and
calming, if not moreso. It isn't "jazz", in the strictest sense anyway,
but it's just as heartfelt and penetrating as some of the best be-bop I've ever
listened to. She uses her very talented hands to paint an image of
emergence into my favorite time of the year, and does so without "tricks" or
"gimmicks"... on the title track, Will Ackerman (founder of Windham Hill
records) joins her on acoustic guitar - simple, yet sweet... the recording (as
you might expect from someone of Will's stature) is top-flight, and they "talk"
with other so you can understand exactly what they're saying. Several
other instruments join in on "Light
From a Narrow Window"... this is the best inspirational tune I've heard in
2010, and you'll love it just as much as I did... my favorite piece on the
album! Her subtle, yet soaring vocal on "A
Moment in Time" will have you reaching for the skies, no doubt. I'm
again highly impressed and feel deeply privileged to have the opportunity to
listen to her CD in advance (it will be released and promoted in February and
March of this year, so keep your ears open for it!) I give it a MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.95. Get more
information at www.annsweeten.com
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Holly Hoffman-Bill Cunliffe
- THREE'S
COMPANY:
We've reviewed both of these artists with others before (Bill was most recently
reviewed in issue # 93),
and Holly was in issue # 91...
they are both totally accomplished players, and when you put that together with
guests Regina Carter (violin), Terrell Stafford on trumpet, Ken Peplowski on
clarinet and drummer Alvester Garnett, you have the formula for instant jazz
success. "Dalto"
is one of the most energetic piano pieces I've heard lately, and Hoffman's flute
adds an element of pure joy to the proceedings... this duo clearly loves playing
and expressing themselves through well-played jazz! The title track (click
on it above to go to the FLASH page where the samples are) features Terell
Stafford's trumpet in mute, and Bill's piano is almost in boogie mode... if this
one doesn't get you up on your feet & dancin' - nothing will... a genuine
rhythmic treat that is totally ON IT! My absolute favorite composition on
the CD, though, is "Sweet
Andy" (& not just because that's my son's name)... the drumwork from
Garnett, together with the jumpin' energies projected by all players, makes this
one of the most pleasant pieces I've heard yet in 2010. I give them a MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED on this fantastic album, with an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.96. Get more information at
www.hollyhoffman.com
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Jon Baroni -
WAKE UP CALLS:
This one didn't come over the wires directly, though in a way it did... my
friends Jan & Steve Bartlett FB'ed me about Jon's music & I asked for more...
Jon snailed three CD's to me in the immediate, & I was exceedingly happy when I
opened the package up to this one... 'coz the opener, "Cane
Train" is just absolutely pure rhythm & joy - definitely my favorite on the
album, and perfect to open it with! 5:52 is what this power-packed lil'
gem clocks in at, & you'll think you're right out in the middle o' that cane
field. He's self-taught, and it's my impression (being in the same
category myself) that players who are usually have much more energy for
their playing (or they don't, & that's evident after the first 2 bars)...
Jon's playing & spirit clearly fall in the "do have" arena! For something
that leans a bit more towards jazz (reminds me of some of
Stephen Bishop's wizardry), try "In
The Blue Room"... simple (but solid) piano line, and excellent vocal by Jon.
I'm highly impressed, and have no doubt that when I review the other two CD's he
sent, I'll be even moreso. The title track (click on the title above) is
both thought-provoking and chock-full of great organ licks! You can't
pigeonhole Jon's music into one category... he has elements of many styles
present in his music, but he's got the prime ingredient for success (here at
Zzaj Productions, anyway) in spades - ENERGY for the playing! I give this
CD a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, along with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of
4.97. Get more information at
www.jonbaroni.com Rotcod Zzaj
Harry Allen -
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: If you don't have your spats (GOOGLE
it if you don't know what "spats" are) on when the opener, "Puttin'
on the Ritz", starts, you'll have 'em hauled out of Grandpa's closet by the
time it's mid-way through the tune. Harry's deep-throat tenor sax will
wean you away from whatever funk you've been in & put you on cloud nine (as they
used say in Grandpa's day, as they danced the night away). For pure & raw
energy, I think you'll agree that the best track (my favorite, to be sure) on
the CD is "Broadway
Melody"... though this is our first listen to Allen's work, I know it won't
be the last.... this guy breathes energy through his reeds! The
title track (click on it to listen), a tune from Billy Joel, will give
you the blues if you didn't have them already... but in a very nice "New York"
way, if you know what I mean... full of comfort & pleasure. Another track
I just loved was "Rose
of Washington Square". The recording on this is first-class all the
way through, and if you're a jazzer (like I am), you'll find this among your
favorite albums of all time, & surely will agree with me - it's MOST HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED. "EQ" (energy quotient) is rated at 4.95. Get more
information at
www.challenge.nl/product/1240234140 Rotcod Zzaj
Isaac Shepard - THE
RENEWING:
If you love solo piano as much as I do (that could have something to do with the
fact that my instrument is piano, I suppose), you will love the 10 original
compositions Isaac puts in front of your ears on his third CD. His
compositional skills are fully evident, but he doesn't get so wrapped up in his
playing that he forgets what the listener wants to hear - imagination and
emotion.... that's especially true on tracks like "Let
Me Sleep", one of my favorites on the album. For the ultimate in
relaxation and joy of spirit, though, you'll want to listen to "Simple
Moments" over and over again... his use of overtones and full keyboard range
on this one is just excellent... it will leave you wanting more, as it clocks in
at just under 3 minutes (2:59 on my player). The CD is set for release
this month (January, 2010), so get your copy now. The piece that I felt
conveyed Isaac's feelings most clearly, though, was "Dimming
The Lights"... totally accessible and easy for the listener to settle into,
it gets my vote as favorite. I give this a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an
"EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.92. Get more information at
www.isaacshepard.com
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Joe Beck & Laura Theodore -
GOLDEN EARRINGS:
This is my first listen to Laura & Joe's magic together... Beck's self-invented
alto guitar perfectly compliments Laura's marvelous full-tilt jazz vocals, and
you'll know that you're hearing nothing but high class energy on this CD
(unfortunately, it was Joe's last session)! The recording has some grand
reverb moments, especially on tunes like "Fever",
the tune we all remember Peggy Lee being famous for.... in fact, you'll hear a
lot of similarities between Laura's vocals and Ms. Lee's work... the difference
is that Beck and Theodore clearly have their own styles, and their energies take
the tunes into the 21st Century realm without any hitches whatsoever. The
performance that caught my ear as favorite, though, was "You
Was Right Baby"... Laura gives this one a genuine "down home" feel that
makes you believe in "reality audio"... cool, but with feeling, to be sure.
This album will stay at the top of your playlists for some time to come, & gets
a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.94. Get
more information at
www.whalingcitysound.com/wcs049.htm Rotcod Zzaj
Kat Parra & The Sephardic Music
Experience - DOS AMANTES -
I was highly impressed back in issue
# 80 when I first
listened to & reviewed her stunning jazz vocals... and if you're into Latin jazz
with spirit that's infectious (along with music of the Sephardic Jews, which
makes for a truly interesting mix of styles) you'll find her just as enchanting as I did on
her 3rd CD. Even if you don't understand the language she sings in, you'll
grasp every heartfelt emotion she expresses through her vocals. The
percussion behind her is pure adventure, with a cast of 100's (not quite, but
you'll have to visit
this page to get a full listing of players... the only samples I could find
are in FLASH (not linkable) at her
CD BABY page... but when you listen to tunes like "Avrix
Mi Galanica", you'll understand right away what high talent you are
listening to! This tune combines all the styles with solid jazz
arrangements (courtesy of another regular in these pages,
Wayne Wallace) that will
have you slip/slidin' and scattin' right along with her amazing vocals!
More than just "impressive", this is classic cross-cultural jazz that makes it
ever more clear just how important each and every culture on our globe is.
I give this my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, along with an "EQ" (energy
quotient) of 4.97 - very high & certainly well deserved. Get more
information at
http://katparra.com/home/archives/20 Rotcod Zzaj
Kelley Suttenfield
- WHERE IS LOVE?:
This November 2009 release from Kelley is among the better releases from female
jazz vocalists for '09... her voice has a rich, full-throat projection that
reaches right out & grabs you where your heart is. Excellent players with
her keep the music behind her strong singing well jazzified... Michael Cabe does
piano & Fender Rhodes, electric guitar by Jesse Lewis, acoustic guitar from Tony
Romano, bass from Matt Aronoff and drums/Tablas by Brian Adler all work together
to make for a most interesting listen, no doubt. The arrangements on "Ode
To Billie Joe" breathe new life into that tune & clearly put it in the jazz
realm... definitely Suttenfield's own interpretation and style... I loved it!
If you're in the mood for something a bit more pensive, try Kelley's rendition
of "Charade"...
some excellent guitar and bass behind her. My favorite piece, though, was
the swingin' "West
Coast Blues"... you'll think you're right at the end of Route 66, in a
smoky-blue jazz parlor, right in with all the rest of the late-nite hepkats, no
doubt! Full of fun and high spirit, "Where Is Love" gets a HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED from these ol' ears. The "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is
4.92. Get more information at
www.kelleysuttenfield.com Rotcod Zzaj
Laura Klein & Ted Wolff
-
CERULEAN BLUE:
Nothing but unabashed joy on this great little piano (Laura) and vibraphone
(Ted) CD; though this is our first listen to their magical works, it surely
won't be the last. Their high-spirited and fun-filled playing will elevate
you to heights you hadn't even imagined before... it's one of those "sleeper"
WOW albums that only catch your ear once you've played it the second time
around, but that makes it even better for the long haul. Just amazing how
tightly they are knit together in their playing - I mean, every note is
on time and wrapped 'round the other instrument so sublimely that you don't even
realize these are two folks playing together. It all makes perfect sense when
you check out their bios... they've been playing together ever since they first
met at Berklee College of Music many years ago. For those in our
readership, I strongly suggest that you check out "Impromp-2"...
it's only 3:25, but their intricate weave together was clearest on this one for
me... it comes close to being my favorite, but the one that actually captured
that position was the opener, "Voyage",
a Kenny Barron tune that they are RIGHT ON time with from the opening note to
the last bar. This CD gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, as well as
the "PICK" of this issue for "most joyful jazz"... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating
is 4.97. Get more information at
www.lauraklein-tedwolff.com
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Mon David
- COMING TRUE:
I surely don't think I've heard this much exuberance coming from a jazz singer
(male or female) in many years... this gent's rendition of "Footprints"
as the opener is just KILLER! Even if you had never been to the
Philippines, you'd want to claim it as your home after hearing him on this song!
He has a cast of characters far too long to itemize here, but one of the
standout talents is Tateng Katindig's piano... it's right where it belongs in
the mix, out in front when required, but pulling back to give Mon plenty of room
for his vocals. My favorite cut on the CD is "Only
Once", which features a guest artist we're quite familiar with, Ms.
Charmaine Clamor (who we last reviewed in issue
# 85)... their duets are
superb, & the rhythms will have you up off your feet in seconds. This is
the kind of jazz vocalist any experienced jazz listener will want to have in
their "permanent" collection... classic jazz with lots of feeling... I give it a
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.95.
Get more information at www.mondavid.com
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Nilson Matta's Brazilian Voyage
with Harry Allen and Anne Drummond
- COPACABANA:
If it's killer Latin jazz with a taste of Brazil you are yearning to hear, this
CD from Nilson is the TICKET! We had actually listened to him before on a
CD from Hendrik Muerkens, reviewed in issue
# 74, and his beautiful
bass work shines through on this February 2010 release just as brilliantly as it
did then. He's joined by some others we've listened to & reviewed in these
pages, too... Harry Allen on tenor sax, Anne Drummond on flute, Klaus Mueller's
piano, drums from Mauricio Zottarelli and percussion from Ze Mauricio. The
thing that's most impressive about the all-original compositions here is the
feeling of "natural" you get when listening... there is nothing "hyped", or
"phony", about the music here. At times (like on the gently flowing "Aguas
Brasileiras"), you'll feel like they are right there in your living room
playing just for you; on other tracks (like the opener, my absolute favorite, "Baden"),
the vibe is sun, brightness & sidewalk cafe-like. Every musical moment on
this gem is to be treasured, with new facets each time you listen through it
again - & again - & again... it gets my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as the
"PICK" of this issue for "best Latin jazz". The "EQ" (energy quotient) is
a very high 4.98. Get more information at
www.nilsonmatta.com
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Patrick Rydman -
I
WILL DO IT:
Patrick's jazz vocals on this CD isn't 100% jazz - but regardless of the genre,
he makes it feel like cool... he's from Sweden, which (based on my own
roots there) wouldn't have been my likely suspect for a place that someone with
(at least) as much suave as, let's say, Mose Allison. Heck, just check out
his hat on the CD cover... anyone with a hat like that WILL be a hep-cat
(whoops, showing my age). BUT, more importantly, the dozen all-original
tunes show a talent for lyrics with lasting quality... especially on pieces like
my favorite track, "When
You're Not Around"... this song will stick in your head for days (if not
months) - & the rhythms just KICK IT! I've a feeling you'll be hearing
much more from this swingin' singer, & if you don't, check in with your local
(or online) dealer & tell them you want this CD. I give it a HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED, even for the jazzers out there, with an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.95. Get more information at
www.footprintrecords.com/website/production/FRCD-043/index.shtml
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Stefano Pastor
-
CHANTS:
One of the things that's so great about having a 'zine that's run for a long
time (as IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION has -
since 1990 or so) is that we get artists we've reviewed before submitting their
stuff again & again... I first reviewed his work (with other players) in issue
# 96. This new CD
is all solo work from him... he does everything, including violin, viola, vocals
(superb, by the way), mandolin, guitar and percussion. This is one
of the most interesting CD's I've listened to in 2010... it certainly has the
elements all jazz listeners will want... improvisation, free spirit and high
energy, but it can NOT be shoved into any pigeonholes. "Chants" is almost
like a musical conversation Stefano is having with himself... much more
revealing than one might think, and not at all schizophrenic... beauty is the
keyword that comes to mind, particularly on cuts like the opening track, "Naima",
my favorite piece on the album. One of the most beautiful vocals I've
heard (on any CD I've reviewed in the last couple of years) was on "Chi
mi Ha Insegnato". This is an all around wonderful listen, and I give
it a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of
4.95. Get more information at
www.stefanpastor.com Rotcod Zzaj
The Zeke Martin Project
- U4IRIA:
Zeke's drumming on this one is (of course) at the forefront of the 7 superb
tracks, but he's rounded up some excellent players, too... Sean Berry's sax
work, keyboards & harmonica by Yusaku Yoshimura, bass from Rozhan Razman and
vocals by Nina Pralour on "Summertime". Every punctuation from Martin's
drums is timing-perfect, and all the instruments play for the listener, in every
sense... I was especially impressed with the swirling keyboards on the opening
track (my absolute favorite on the CD), "Freedom
Jazz Dance"... just love the sounds that Yoshimura pulls out of the board on
that one, and every player meshes rhythmically in perfect fashion, to make for
one of the most inspiring tunes I've heard in a long time! The
keyboard intro to "Naima"
is absolutely stunning, and when the strings and percussion kick in behind it,
you know you're in jazz heaven... Berry's sax is excellent on this one, too.
I've no doubt that you'll be hearing much more from Zeke & his pals... no doubt
that I want ALL his works for review. He gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
from my ears, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get
more information & watch the vids at
www.myspace.com/zekemartin
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Brian Groder - GRODER & GREENE:
This is one smokin' hot little (9-track) CD that features trumpet and flugelhorn
from Brian, with keyboards from Burton Greene, along with alto sax by Rob Brown,
double bass from Adam Lane and drums by Ray Sage. It's an October 2009
release jammed full of very interesting spontaneous improvisation, and I dug it
in many different ways. Sage has played with some other underground folks
we've reviewed here, most notably Bonnie Kane, reviewed in issue
# 81... so I expected
something different... something "off the path"... and I got it in spades!
The keyword for the playing these guys do is "different", in fact... not so
strange that a reg'lar jazzer couldn't dig down into the soul of what they do,
but certainly off-kilter enough that no self-respecting "middle-of-the-roader"
would be caught with a copy of their CD. Of course, this kind of music is
more suited to the readership of this fine 'zine, where the unexpected IS the
norm... because that's what keeps life moving in new directions... one of the
best examples is "Only
The Now", one of my favorites... just listen to Lane's double bass on this
one - truly moving (every second of every measure). My absolute favorite,
though, had the sounds of hobgoblins from the netherworlds... that would be "Hey
Pithy, Can You Thropt the Erectus"... definitely something along the lines
of an improvised exorcism... ha! ha! These guys clearly know how to have
fun with their music, and easily pass it along to the receptive listener.
They get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, with an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.98. Get more information at
www.briangroder.com/musicbox.html (& be sure to tell 'em Zzaj sent you).
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Thomas Lorenzo Quartet - SPANISH
BREEZE:
There are always a couple of "sleeper" CD's in the review stack, & though I
listened to snatches of this as I was burning it to the review drive, I didn't
catch the intensity until I (just minutes ago) spun it up for the review...
these guys (Thomas Lorenzo on electric & Spanish guitars; Alphonso Johnson doing
upright & electric bass; David Garfield on piano/keyboards; and Walfredo Reyes
Jr on drums) just KICK the jams out. Any jazzer who digs on the funk true
soul can bring will listen to this dozen-jam set over & over again. I had
a lot of favorites on this album, most notably tracks like "1,
2, 3, Let's Go", which can't help but make you shake your moneymaker a
bit... Thomas's guitar literally smokes your ears. My favorite, though,
was "A
Happy Dream", with superb keyboards from David and excellent rhythmic
performances from all the other players and some of the most wicked guitar lines
I've ever heard (from any player - & that's saying something, as I've listened
to thousands of them)! These gents have a firm handle on every tune they
play and their CD will bring you hours of repeated listening pleasure.
They get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, with an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.94. Get more information at
www.barcelonamusic.info
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Guideline for artists SUBMITTING to us: We do NOT generally review .mp3 files/sites. Being an active artist myself, though, I understand the need for the use of Internet sites as a "staging ground" for reviews! You are encouraged to email us your .mp3 links... we will visit the site/link, & if we like your energies, we will contact YOU! (We will NOT respond to followup inquiries about .mp3 files, though!!! p.s. If you EVER e-mail me .mp3 files that I haven't requested, you will be BLACKLISTED on this site!!!)
Here are a few tunes of MINE for you to listen to - it's from my latest CD release, "AC not PC" (Alphabetically Correct, not Politically Correct)
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