Listen to Zzaj music while you read the reviews!!!
IMPROVIJAZZATION Nation
Issue # 105 REVIEWS
New! New! New! Zzaj PODCAST!
Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz
- MORNING STAR: Some absolutely stunning jazz lives on this CD from
Vincent & his quartet (Dudli doin' drums, Anthony Wonsey's piano & Richie Goods
on bass)... wide-ranging selection of scorching-hot funky jazz that puts
nostalgia for the '70's & '80's together with a totally 21st Century set of
sounds that will please your ears for years! No clichéd claptrap attempts
at "smoove junk", either, this is soul personified through the magnificent
talents of each member of this groovin' group. Just check out of of my
favorite tracks, "The
Thang" (a Wonsey original), to get your mind right & your feet moving!
Anthony's Rhodes/electric piano intro on "Soul
Leo" (by Mulgrew Miller) will have you picturing a soul-brother alleycat on
th' hunt, & you will listen to (my favorite track on the album) "Black
Fairytales", a 9:53 that illustrates just how talented these gents are &
clearly puts them on the charts for their "21st Century sound"! I give
them an (IMMEDIATE) MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as an "EQ" (energy
quotient) rating of 4.98. Lastly, they get my "PICK" of this issue for
"volcanic jazz talent". Get more information at
Rotcod Zzaj
Jerome Lee - LIFE THIS TIME:
As you listen to the opener, "Time
Gone Away", you won't be thinking "Rhythm & blues, blues, blues", perhaps,
but you'll certainly realize just how large a talent you're privileged to hear -
excellent guitar on this one! That R&B sound comes shining through on "Prettiest
Girl"... in fact, if I remember from my first listen to Jerome (on
REVERBNATION), this is the tune that first caught my ear... took me right back
to those '70's black juke joints down in Huntsville, Alabama... funk on fire,
fer' sure! The track that had me up on my feet (pretendin' I was 25
again... ha! ha!) all 'round my living room (with my headphones on, of course)
was "Monkey
Slide".... TOTAL fun, & just what that "good soul music" was all about when
I was growing up with it all around me. If you can't groove to Jerome's
high energy, folks - you got both feet in th' hole already... I give this a MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone who loves R&B, soul & jazz. He gets an "EQ"
(energy quotient) rating of 4.97 from me, too. Get more information at
www.reverbnation.com/jeromelee
(& be sure to tell him that brother Zzaj sent ya', ok?).
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Doug Ferony - IT HAD TO BE YOU:
Get your lounge slippers & your silk robe on... an even dozen tracks sung by
Doug - released in June, 2010 - that will get right to the heart of the matter
for all you late-night lovin' lounge lizards out there. He's picked an
excellent set of backup players for this recording, and he knows how to spin
that vocal charm out for all who love this kind of jazz (& I know there are many
out there). Some tunes work better (for me) than others... "Girl
From Ipanema", for instance, is a unique interpretation of that classic
Latin tune. I didn't hear a great deal of "upbeat" pace here, and even
with "crooner" type music, I would have liked to have heard something with a bit
more swing. All-in-all, I give this one a RECOMMENDED, especially for
those listeners who like something to spin in the background while they dance
'round the room with their Maidenform ladies. "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating is 4.85. Get more information at
www.dougferony.com
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Jacob Duncan, John Goldsby, John
Tiemann - THE INNKEEPER'S GUN: Pure joy for modern jazz
listeners... & no, I'm not talking about "smooth jazz" listeners... this is
"real" jazz, insofar as you can find it these days. John Goldsby leads
with his double bass, along with alto saxophone from Jacob Duncan and drums by
Jason Tiemann. I'm a bit surprised that this is my first listen to
Goldsby's excellent playing and composition, especially when I listen to tracks
like his (original) super energetic "Never
Come Back To Me"... total fluidity from the opening note all the way to the
end of this 6:14 jazz instant classic. If you're after something a
bit more subdued and "chamber-sounding", you'll dig "More
Than Something" (another original from Goldsby) without doubt, but it was "Ligeti
Split" by Jacob that gave me that "mjq" vibe more than any of the other 7
tunes... totally tight integration of each player, with each instrument
expressing themselves in their own way, but together at all times! I give
this one a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of
4.98. Get more information at
www.johngoldsby.com Rotcod Zzaj
Satoko Fujii ma-do - DESERT SHIP:
My magazine always gets the "new monsters of jazz"; in this case, we've been
reviewing Satoko's highly versatile jazz for many (that's MANY) years now... on
this adventure, it's her amazing keyboards with (her husband) Natsuki Tamura on
trumpet, bass from Norikatsu Koreyasu and drums from Akira Horikoshi. A
much more intimate grouping than some of the orchestras she has put together,
but no less powerful, I can tell you... when you listen to the high energy of
the opening track, "February
- Locomotive - February", even if you've listened to her works before.
Satoko certainly serves as a model for all (of us) keyboardists aspiring towards
"more" in our playing... once she starts playing (on all 9 of the files), the
magma never stops flowing. This is one of the most exciting CD's I've
listened to this year, particularly on tracks like my favorite, "Sunset
In The Desert", with it's killer drum intro and wacked-out pace all the way
through 6:10. Another total winner for Satoko & crew, this gets my MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as a stellar "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 5.00
(no other band has gotten that this year). Get more information at
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~Libra/
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Gabriele Tranchina - A SONG OF
LOVE'S COLOR: Though female jazz vocalists tend to get lumped
together, every once in a while, we get CD's that have the degree of talent &
vigor in their performances that elevates them far above the level of "just
another lady jazz singer"... Gabriele is certainly above the pack, & totally
"international" in her appeal to your ears! It really doesn't matter what
language she sings in, her energy, inflection and pure joy in the singing of it
shines through for you to groove on. The title track, for instance, "A
Song of Love's Color", opens with a wonderful blending of voices that
punctuates the 4:58 piece wonderfully... for wonderful high-energy Latin flavors
& shadings, you'll certainly dig on "Samba
de Uma Nota Só"... beautiful rhythms that just won't quit. It was "Sing
a Song of Children", with the sound of healing (through the lives of
children, so artfully expressed by Gabriele) that captured my vote for favorite.
I give this CD a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any jazzers who love the sound of
vibrant female vocals. The "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.97.
Get more information at
JAZZHEADS! Rotcod Zzaj
Jim Guttmann - BESSARABIAN
BREAKDOWN: If your grandma raised on a "dervish diet" (whirling, that
is), you'll certainly recognize the frenetic pace of the opener, "Philadelphia
Sher"... bassist Jim has been the anchor for the Klezmer Conservatory Band,
& his talent for that form certainly shines on this tune. Though he
integrates the Klezmer in several of the tracks, there's also a whole host of
other influences that will be most enjoyable for those who thought (from the
title, perhaps) that this was to be "just another Klezmer" album... check out
the odd rhythms of "Cuando
El Rey Nimrod"... a most enjoyable jazz piece. His superb talent for
the bass, both the "playing" and the "joy" of it, are clearly highlighted on "And
The Angels Sing"... some great walking bass there. My favorite of the
11 tunes, though, is "Beregovski
90: Skocne", with it's super-clean and energetic improvisation. Jim &
crew do this with a clear goal of "balance" in mind, and they certainly exceed
their target - I give this a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any jazz listener who
wants to hear something "different" in the way of jazz. The CD gets an
"EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96. Get more information at the
FB PAGE dedicated to this CD. Rotcod Zzaj
Frank Carlberg, John Hebert,
Gerald Cleaver - TIVOLI TRIO:
Frank's superb compositions have been reviewed here before, most recently in
issue # 88... on this
fantastic CD, you'll hear 13 adventurous jazz pieces full of imagination, life
and full-tilt jazz energy. To hear this trio in all it's tight glory,
listen to "Tricks", a
fitting tune for any musical alchemist... raw & unadulterated fun! Frank's
beautiful piano is joined by bass from John Hebert and drums from Gerald
Cleaver... you can almost hear them (sonically) talking to each other through
the music. The most notable thing about all of the pieces on this outing
is just how subtly they capture your ears & wrap you up in them... the 6:44 "Bill's
Hat" being one of the best examples of that... you can hear every little
nuance of the trio's playing, & I can guarantee you that you'll find yourself
listening to this track over & over again. My favorite piece, though, was
"Rumble Mumble", with it's
fantastic drum intro & piano/bass duet as it moves into the main zone of the
tune. If you're stuck in "totally conventional jazz" lanes, you may not
enjoy this, but I doubt there are too many reading this 'zine who are in that
rut. I give it a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as the "PICK" of this
issue for "most interesting jazz trio work". "EQ" (energy quotient) rating
is 4.97. Get more information at
www.frankcarlberg.com or
www.redpianorecords.com Rotcod Zzaj
Satoko Fujii Orchestra Tokyo -
ZAKOPANE: Though Satoko is (just) the conductor on this CD, her total
commitment to keeping the jazz energy moving ever on to new planes will be
evident on first listen. My most recent review of her orchestral efforts
was in issue # 95,
which used words like "volcanic" to describe the jazz spell she weaves for the
listener, & this 'round is no less intense. Fusion rules here, with styles
all the way from funk to free & everything in between... the
performer list
is huge, as is the full-bodied, full-tilt sound they play. You can listen
to several samples at the
SQUIDCO site (though unfortunately they aren't labeled)... you'll just have
to trust my jazz judgment when I tell you that this is some of the most
"penetrating" jazz orchestral work you will ever hear. From the
perspective of Big-Band orchestral jazz, there's only one tune that gets my vote
for favorite (though many of the other 7 were superb, too) is "Trout"... total
adventure wrapped (or is it warped) up in one track! I give Satoko & her
orchestra my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.97. Get more information at
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~Libra/
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FumoSonic - LOVE IS EVERYTHING:
Kelly (vocals/samples) & John Fumo (trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards) are joined
by a whole host of musical pals in a sonic adventure you won't soon put down...
this is the kind of music you can listen to again & again and always find some
new nuance! I'm quite impressed, as they keep a strong jazz influence, yet
weave in plenty of other musical styles that will be aurally attractive to all
but the least adventurous listeners... check out the percussion intro on "I
Have The Perfect Kind Of Love", & listen as it tastefully morphs into
something that you might hear 'round the Mediterranean... this track will stay
up at the top of your playlists for a long time to come. Jazz style is at
the forefront of "Your
Subtle Ways", and it's this fusion of styles that keeps the music (more)
interesting than all the other pretenders to this throne. It was the
keyboards under the stellar vocal on "Altar
Of Love" that captured my vote for favorite track... not to mention John's
superb horn... would have been nice to have this run about 5 minutes (or more),
rather than the 2:55 it turned out to be on my CD. I really dig FumoSonic,
& will look forward to more from them... I give them my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
rating, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96. Get more
information at www.fumosonic.com
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ben cez what - BEN CEZ WHAT:
Another DDR (digital download review) from an electronica/dance/organic duo I
hooked up with on REVERBNATION... they opened all 16 of their trax up for me to
review, a little over an hour of splendid music that keeps the mood & energy
elevated each time I listen to it. This isn't just a "schlock band",
pumping out presets for hours on end - they actually have talent, & are well
worth the headphone time to listen through all their streams - you can do that
at BEN CEZ WHAT. I
expect one reason they caught my ears right away is the synth & organ patch
right at the beginning of "brandon"...
when they bring in the beat under that organ, you could (& probably will) dance
out for hours. It was actually the synth intro/sound on "joyful"
that got my selection as favorite, though... very musical, but they don't
compromise their style, either. Lots of other tunes that I'll spin over &
over, too, like "never
stop", which hooks all their talent together & concentrates it into
something with a big groove. I give these gents a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, &
look forward to more from them. "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.94.
Get more information at
www.reverbnation.com/bencezwhat Rotcod Zzaj
Kristin Porter - BY THE LIGHT OF
THE MOON: Kristin's debut is marred (in my estimation, anyway) by the
fact that there were only 5 tunes on it... not that they are "bad" tunes, in
fact, her vocals are quite tasteful and full of life... maybe it's a new trend
(some of my DDR pals are telling me that the "Blackberry Generation" actually
wants to pay big $$ for a CD that only has 5 to 8 tracks on it - go
figure... maybe I'm just gettin' old-fashioned, huh?). Her voice has a
really nice lilting quality that's especially noticeable on tracks like "Light
Of The Moon", & she has some stellar players behind her! I enjoyed her
music, but would much prefer to hear more of it on the next release. I
give her a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.93.
Get more information at
www.cdbaby.com/cd/KristinPorter/from/tblink Rotcod Zzaj
Kombu Combo - JAZZ WORLD FUSION:
I reviewed a (short 4-song) CD from these folks back in issue
# 99... as regular
readers here know, I don't often review demos, & when I do, it's because the
groups have told me they will have a CD out soon. Kombu got a HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED on that CD, but this new recording merits much higher acclaim... to
get a taste of just how great they are together, check out this video of their
tune "Sam Meets James"...
total balance and strong power projection. The tune that just JAMMED (for
me, anyway), though, was the 11:45 "Dark
Continent"... tight rhythm, & Norm Dorrell's (he's the composer) vibes just
ROCK, folks! If you love funkiness, you'll certainly dig "Brazilian
Waxx", as did I... but for my ears, the tune that captured "favorite track"
was their version of a Horace Silver piece called "Filthy
McNasty"! I'm really liking what I hear from this band, & believe that
if you love jazz that has the "main ingredient" (that's FUN, for you who didn't
know), you'll dig it, too. I give them a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an
"EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at
www.myspace.com/kombucombo
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Ran Blake and Christine Correa -
OUT OF THE SHADOWS: The title on this CD from Ran and Christine is
totally apropos, as it's the kind of music you hear in those dark alley jazz
joints after the doors are closed... their rendition of "The
Thrill Is Gone", for instance, will hold your ears spellbound! Ran's
keyboards aren't anything like what you'd imagine for such a blues classic, but
if you don't "get the blues message" from this one - you've got a foot (or two)
in the grave already. There are 14 very special performances here... if
you're a hidebound jazz traditionalist (not too many of those here), you'll
probably lose interest after the 2nd track, but if you've any adventure in your
blood at all, you'll be as enchanted as I was, to be sure. This music is
best experienced with headphones on, as you won't want any interruptions...
that's a part of the spell, in fact... staying with them from open to close.
I give this one a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any & all who want to experience
something different with piano/vocal jazz. "EQ" (energy quotient) rating
is 4.95. Get more information at
www.ranblake.com or
www.myspace.com/christinecorrea Rotcod Zzaj
Preston Lux - GOING HOME:
I want you to hear what first caught my ears when cruising artists for potential
review material on REVERBNATION... the title track "Going
Home" has definitely GOT IT, volkz... groove, funk&bump, th' kind of soul
that no player can execute unless he HAS some - soul, that is! "You
Turn Me On" takes me all the way back to the '60's & '70's, ala Ramsey Lewis
& such... smooth, yes, but full of enough heart that you won't soon relegate it
to your old playlists... some very nice strings on this arrangement. The
tune I dug down most on was a bluesy slide&groove thang called "Katrina"...
it would have been nice if it was about double the length, but it's still my
favorite. I'll definitely be looking forward to more CD's from Preston, &
after you've listened through all his tracks a few times, you'll agree... MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96. Get
more information at
www.reverbnation.com/lux20# Rotcod Zzaj
Seth Kibel - THE GREAT
PRETENDER: I reviewed a Klezmer-based CD from Seth in issue
# 103... this is a
totally different musical adventure, to be sure! Covers, along with a
couple of originals by Seth, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you hear
his volcanic tenor saxophone, especially on tunes like the opener, "Walk
Tall"... man, it don't get any more energetic than this. On the other
hand, if laid-back nite blues is what your ears crave, you'll fall in love with
his "Corcoran
Blues", one of the gutsiest blues tunes I've heard in years. Strangely
enough, it was a Tom Waits tune, "Mr.
Siegal" that captured my vote for "favorite track", though... Seth's reeds
lend an air of definite danger to the already hazardous lyrical tale! 10
tunes that will thrill any jazz lover who can't go without tenor sax for more
than a moment or two... toss that in with a rollickin' blues tone, & you've got
a CD that I declare as MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating for this one is off the charts at 5.01. Get more information at
www.sethkibel.com/
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David's Angels - SUBSTAR:
Trumpeter Ingrid Jensen guests on this fantastic CD from Sweden...
composer/pianist Maggi Olin and vocalist Sofie Norling create feelings that
bring on nostalgia attacks for me... that's not a "bad" thing, either... truly
talented players who are able to use music to help the listener focus in on
feelings. In fact, the world definitely needs more music like this...
there's no rushing here, both the vocals and the instruments are in no hurry, &
before the title track is done, you'll experience some rushes of emotion, either
as Déjà Vu, or concerns for the future (of us, of our planet & of the universe
in general). Just check out the lead-in track, "My
New Me" to hear what I'm talking about... this music is cosmic in scope...
certainly not "background music" (for any party I've been to, anyway)... the
vocal on this one makes it worth the purchase of the CD, to be sure. The
favorite track (for my ears) was "Stay
For A While"... every player is right "in touch" with the singer, and the
recording is crystal-clear. This one gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from
me, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 (nearly impossible for a vocal
CD to get here - yes, they're that good). Get more information from
www.kopasetic.se/AlbumPP.asp?id=1346 Rotcod Zzaj
Hector Martignon - SECOND
CHANCE: This May, 2010, release from Hector (his piano and accordion,
joined by a whole host of players) is absolute killer jazz that any serious (or
not so serious) jazz fan won't be able to do without! The opening track
alone, "Bala
com Bala", is worth the purchase of this marvelous 10-track CD... Hector's
keyboards are all over the map on this one, & will make him the envy of any
aspiring pianist! It's far more than just tech-talent on aural display
here, too... Martignon's spirit (& the players with him) shine through
brilliantly on each & every note... pure joy. For something with a tinge
of sadness (yet with beauty at the same time), you'll love "She
said She was from Sarajevo"... a full-bodied tune you'll enjoy for it's
entire 7:43 length. My favorite piece, though, was the superbly executed "Hatari"...
the percussion that introduces the track & runs all through it, is subtle but
fully flowing. This is a superb CD that gets my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
rating, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.99... additionally, it gets
the "PICK" of this issue for "most engaging jazz performance". Get more
information at
www.foreignaffair.com/media2/HectorMartignonDPK.pdf
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Jim Altamore - LICENSE TO SWING:
Male jazz vocalists were at their peak when I was about 13 years old, though I
don't get a lot in for review these days... that obviously doesn't mean they're
not out there, though, as Jim's dozen songs clearly proves. & when he
labels his vocal excursions as "swing", he's not kidding... check out his
rendition of "Just One Of Those
Things" to get with him in his groove. He has a strong group of
players behind him, and his vocal adventures will take you back to another era,
but his vocals have their own unique signature... guys these days probably don't
aspire (too much) to be late-night loungers, but as he sings Billy Joel's "New
York State Of Mind", there will be more than a few young gents who find
their dream & start singing in showers across the globe. I'm more than a
little impressed with Jim's jazz, ergo my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating... "EQ"
(energy quotient) rating is 4.94. Get more information at
www.jimaltamore.com
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Phil Sargent - A NEW DAY:
How many times have we seen a CD titled similarly? The difference on
Phil's excellent jazz guitar album is that this is all original material, which
in itself means that it will be "better" than other music (in my view,
anyway)... the energy levels are stellar! The 10:23 title track opens the
CD, "A
New Day", and you immediately recognize that your ears are listening to
exceptional talent. You might wonder at only having 7 cuts available, but
all are over 5 minutes long & jam-packed with bright and shimmering life... just
check out the vibrant (near rock) energy on "Powerplay"
if you're not sure you believe me. I'm loving this music, and can
guarantee you that unless you are mired in the much of "conventionality", you
will find it as astounding as I did. My favorite track is "Light",
much enhanced by Aubrey Johnson's soaring vocal enchantment. Phil isn't
your "average jazz guitarist", and combines a clearly evident love of playing
and composition to bring you a most rewarding jazz album that I rate as MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get
more information at
www.philsargentmusic.com Rotcod Zzaj
Jamie Begian Big Band - BIG FAT
GRIN: Those readers who have been with me for a long time know that
the motto 'round here is "if it ain't FUN - it ain't MUSIC"... well, scope that
CD title again, folks... big bands aren't always my idea of joy, but Jamie's
huge assemblage will indeed bring a smile to your ears! Just listen to the
rollicking "Halay"
& imagine yourself in a gypsy camp somewhere in Eastern Europe, kickin' up your
heels as you dance 'round th' fire all night. If you're looking for a tune
with a bit more introspection, you'll switch moods when you listen to "Patience"...
somewhat like a spooky bedtime story. You won't be able to stop smiling,
though, as you listen to my favorite tune on the album, the title track, "Big
Fat Grin", especially right at 1:56, where the tune steps you right out on a
dance floor full of merriment that will make this musical adventure one of the
happiest you've ever had. The recording is crystal-clear with nuances that
will make you hear something different each time you listen to this one! I
give these players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.97. Get more information at the
INNOVA site.
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Susie Meissner - I'LL REMEMBER
APRIL: You'll be quite pleasantly amazed when you listen to Susie's
rich and tasteful jazz vocals on this excellent CD. As you listen to her
beautiful rendition of "Never
Let Me Go" (Jay Livingston & Ray Evans), you'll hear how easily she wraps
her voice around a tune... you'll find yourself listening to this one over and
over again. One of my favorite listens was "Dreamer"
(Antonio Carlos Jobim/Gene Lees)... Susie's lilting voice will carry you away to
your dreams & help them come true, no doubt about it. The best track (for
my ears, anyway) was "How
Deep Is the Ocean?", where Ms. Meissner brings out the "cool" in jazz!
The whole pace of this album is "gentle groove" - no high-steppin' crazy jazz,
but you'll thoroughly enjoy it if you love high-talent jazz vocals. I give
this one a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.94.
Get more information at
www.susiemeissner.com Rotcod Zzaj
Jamie Ousley - BACK HOME:
Home's always a cool place to be, & Jamie's double bass (along with a full crew
of excellent players) take you there, without a doubt. The best (in fact,
the only) way to truly dig the vibe he & his band are capable of is with
headphones... 11 tracks, 8 of them with full-tilt original energy, are featured
in one of the most enjoyable jazz excursions I've listened to yet this year (and
that's saying something, 'coz I've listened to a lot of them this
year). Check out the tension-building intro on "A
Tune, Sir?", or the alleycat slink walkin' bass lines on "This
is It!" just an excellent tune... takes me
years & years back to when th' jazz had real meat on it's bones. It
was the second track in, "Nashvillatino"
(another Ousley original) that instantly got my vote for favorite tune,
though... there's a lightness in the playing, as well as in the sound, that will
make you play this track over & over again. High talent, high energy &
sheer love of playing get this fine second release my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
rating... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.98. Get more information at
www.jamieousley.com
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Jeff Lofton Quartet- JAZZ TO THE
PEOPLE: Jeff's high-energy trumpet playing is joined by Alex Coke on
sax, Red Young on piano, Chris Jones on bass and Masumi Jones on drums in a
quartet you won't soon forget (in fact, your ears will soon be begging you for
more). This is jazz played the way it has always been intended... free of
pretense & full of the spirit of life. Whether you're scoping out the
bouncy Lofton original "Herbie's
Time" or the (very) uptown "Shana's
Song", you'll find yourself in a groove you won't want to come out of
anytime soon! If you want to watch these masters at work, check out this
VID of "Shana's Song", too. The tune I found myself listening to over
& over (& you will too) was "A.I.M."...
superb flow, & Lofton's trumpet never misses a note - the whole band kicks out
this jam, too... those of you as old as I am (63, soon to be 64) will find this
one pure joy to listen to! The even dozen pieces on this find CD get my
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all jazz lovers who find themselves especially
attracted to brass... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is a smashing 4.99 (out of
5). Jeff & his quartet also get the "PICK" of this issue for "best new
energy quartet". GET this one after you listen to the streams at
www.reverbnation.com/jefflofton# Rotcod Zzaj
k d morris- VOICES INSIDE YOUR
HEAD: k d & his superb spoken-word works were on REVERBNATION while I
was hunting around for great material to review. Well, I'll tell you
folks, if you like spoken-word (as I do), especially when it's FAR MORE than
just a drum mo-chine & spittin' without substance, you will DIG this guy!
There's a good reason why I'm reminded of one of the first bands who moved me
with their words, THE LAST POETS... it's because k d is joined by Umar Bin
Hassan (of that group) on "more
than i". The words are the highlite, though the music clearly helps to
keep the groove on for the listener - plus which, it actually IS music... not
just the "thunka' thunka' thunka" thang that passes for rap today - this is the
REAL THING, people! It was the beautiful electric piano/Rhodes like sound
on "tears,
raindrops & snowflakes" that sealed the deal for me, though... Morris knows
how to "talk the talk", & steer the music with his words in a way that will
bring tears of all kinds to your eyes. This one gets a MOST HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED for any listener who loves to hear high-talent spoken-word with the
roots music that we all need to bring us closer together (no matter how bad it
gets). "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.97. Get more information
at www.reverbnation.com/kdmorris
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J Malcom & Sons - OVERHEATED:
Yet another DDR (Digital Download Review), though J sent me a burned CD, just to
make sure I had quality... he burned 8 tracks to the CD, but only 4 of them made
it through... I hardly ever do DEMOS here, but his guitar SMOKES & so I had to
let you know that I really dig DOW-un on it, 'specially tuneage like "Cain't
Happen"... this is the kinda' blues that SPEAKS to ya', right there where
your heart's pumpin'! The REAL tune that breaks those blues feelings down
& puts 'em back together again fer' yer' ears is "Overheated" (which
unfortunately wasn't on the RN site, even though it was my favorite).
Another killer was "Bad
In A Good Kinda' Way"... think Elvis, SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughan) & a
smattering of (yes, I know it's strange) Frank Zappa (for his guitar riffs),
then put it together with all the bad-luck stories you've ever had happen to
ya', & you'll have a pretty good feel for what J & Sons are doing. I'm
lookin' forward to a full CD release from these guys (soon, eh', J?), but in the
meantime, I give them a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any/all who dig jazzy blues
guitar & rockin'. "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is a staggering 4.96.
Get more information at
www.reverbnation.com/jasmalcolmandsons Rotcod
Zzaj
Damian Erskine - SO TO SPEAK:
Here's a young bass player whose self-described styles of playing are
"Jazz/Funk/Anything", & it's that last one that comes across crystal clear in my
repeated listens to the 8 tracks he gave me for DDR (Digital Download Review)...
scope out his fancy bass footwork (or is that fingerwork?) on "American
Gyro" to hear what I'm talkin' about! Truly a broad range of styles
and a full-tilt approach that stays in the jazz vein, yet makes it clear that
Damian could (indeed) play anything he wants to and have it sound totally
professional. I continue to be amazed by the high-quality of music
available on the nets these days, and he's one of the players who elevates that
to the highest level. My favorite track is the beautiful "Light"...
perfectly balanced instruments and excellent recording quality (even at only
160kbps). We (even those oldsters among us, like me, man) have a lot to
look forward to in the next couple of decades. Erskine's music is fresh
and energetic from start to finish. I give him my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
for jazz lovers of all stripes, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of
4.96. Get more information at
www.reverbnation.com/damianerskine Rotcod Zzaj
Harvie S - COCOLAMUS BRIDGE:
Any listener who has ever heard the magic that the mournful (or joyous) tones of
a well-played bass can invoke will find Harvie's new CD (I believe it was a June
release) absolutely enchanting. He's joined by Woody Witt's sax, guitar
from Chris Cortez, piano from Jose Miguel Yamal, drums by Joel Fulgham and
percussion by James Metcalfe. The opening track, "Elli
Gheal Chiuin" sets you up for a lush and rich adventure in sub-tones, but
not at all lacking in energy for the playing. By the time they get to "Coco
Loco", the atmosphere is much more joyous & airy, though still with totally
talented playing going on... a very cool tune, to be sure. The most
"jazzy" piece, & my favorite track, was "Ike
(take a Hike)", one that is in definite "groove mode", & takes me back to my
earliest jazz haunts... full of spirit and (even) a sense of danger (it was
named for the Gulf Coast hurricane) - the keyboards on this one are SUPERB!
I'm most highly impressed, & expect to be getting more of Harvie's music for
review. This gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me for jazz fans of all
stripes, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96. Get more
information at www.harvies.com
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Bob Mamet Trio - IMPROMPTU:
The synonym that really strikes a chord (for me) as regards Bob's new CD is
"spontaneous"... that's exactly what Bob's piano sounds like on this one, as
well as the bass playing by Darek Oles and drums by Joe La Barbera. "True"
jazz fans the world over will recognize this as the kind of jazz they grew up
on... no clichéd lines here, everything is fresh & new as a baby right after a
sponge bath. Some of that freshness has to do with the fact that these are all
original compositions by Bob, with all the high-energy playing that "original"
implies, but it's also because they are clearly doing this with the idea of
keeping every note vibrant and alive & not letting any phrase lapse into the
dreaded "regular". Just listen to the grand opening title track, "Impromptu"...
even some trio masters don't have this sense of music that keeps moving
the listener along to new heights. 10 tracks that will stay in your head &
come back when you least expect it... my favorite among them is the uptempo "At
Play"... no "studied" jazz piece, this is full of the spirit of life!
Being the blues fan I am, I also dug deeply on "Bob's
Blues", which will bring you right back up out of whatever funk you may have
been in. This great musical experience gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from
my ears, as well as an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more
information at www.bobmamet.com
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Norman Johnson - IF TIME STOOD
STILL:
If the words "laid-back" & "groove" fit the mood you're in, you'll definitely
want to listen to this debut CD from Norman... the opening track, "It's
Time To Fly", will set the mood for the rest of the 10 highly-inspired
tracks, no doubt. Norman's got a cast of players far too long to itemize
here, so you'll have to buy the CD to get that. He's been around for many
years, playing with folks like Dave Brubeck, Harvie S (also reviewed in this
issue) & Phil Wilson, just to name a few; he shows on this CD that he has a
marvelous talent for making music that will enchant your ears and capture your
heart instantly. I just loved "Always
and Forever", which takes us back to a magical time when music was an
inspiration (think Wes, think Wes, think Wes). It was the soulful "Can
I Get An Amen" that captured my vote for favorite, though... it will make a
believer out of you, no doubt! I've no doubt that we'll be hearing lots
more from Mr. Johnson in the next few years, and I'm truly looking forward to
that. I give him a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and an "EQ" (energy quotient)
rating of 4.96. Get more information at
www.normanjohnson.com
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R.D. Olson - THE REAL DEAL:
Whenever I'm scoutin' blooz out, I'm actually sniffin' for someone who can (not
just) sing... they need to be able to mangle "l" outta' that harp, too... scope
out "Walkin'
To My Baby" to hear just what this cat can do... if you didn't know what the
blues is all about when you started listening, you'll be gettin' DOW-un by the
time you finish listening to R.D. For pure "gut funk" blues with slow,
sultry (& wailing) guitar lines, listen to "Johnny
Walker"... a full 5:48 journey down to th' bottom o' th' bottle, fer' sure!
Truth be told, though, (probably because of my place in time as a "boomer"
myself), it was R.D.'s krankin' version of "Baby
Boomer Blues" that made him seem (unfortunately) like a fortune teller to
me... man, this tune SMOKES, people! This is one impressive little group,
& I for one am certainly hopin' to hear (much) more from him in the next few
months/years. I give him a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who GOTZ to
have a taste of th' blues every once in a while. Get more information at
www.reverbnation.com/rdolsontherealdea Rotcod
Zzaj
Matt Millecchia - SILHOUETTE OF
A SEASON: Matt's a lucky player, to be sure... he had help from Will
Ackerman (Windham Hill) with production. You'll need to enjoy instrumental
guitar, and while this isn't "strictly jazz", his all-original compositions have
a flow to them that's totally balanced in favor of the listener. Just
listen to the beautiful "Georgia
Springs" - high talent just shines through in a totally relaxed setting.
A dozen guitar adventures that will elevate your spirit to the highest planes,
especially if you listen to this with your headphones on (recommended, to be
sure). It's amazing to hear him play this type of music, since his
background was definitely hardcore-punk... skill is what matters in playing,
though, and you'll know you're in the presence of a master player when you
listen to (my favorite track) "Summer
Tears" - the overtones alone on this track make it well worth the purchase.
I give Matt's CD a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating
of 4.97. Get more information at
www.mattmillecchia.com Rotcod Zzaj
Brent Blount - BREAKFAST AT
JIM'S: Though I don't know Jim, I'd certainly like to breakfast with
him if Brent's sax (& a whole host of other instruments) are accompanying the
bacon & eggs! A hearty meal for any jazz aficionado... just scope out the
opener, "Intuition"
to hear what I'm talking about! If you're into high-energy reeds, you'll
surely dig on "Honey
Do Blues", one of my favorites on the CD. His Native American
background certainly comes into play on "Fire
Eyes", but it's still full of the spirit of jazz that happens when folks
forget "backgrounds" & reach out through the stars to feel the reality of human
experience! My absolute top favorite on the album is "Bad
Pun"... this moves in a big way from the opening to the closing note... some
of the highest energy playing I've heard in the last couple of years.
Those who dig jazz sax will certainly agree when I declare Brent's music & style
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED... he also gets an "EQ" rating of 4.98 (very, VERY high
on my scale of 1-5). I expect we'll be getting some more music in from him
to review, & I'll certainly be looking forward to that. Get more
information at
www.reverbnation.com/brentblount Rotcod Zzaj
Alex Wan - DREAM ORCHESTRA:
Alex is an extremely talented composer/player (guitar/bass) who clearly knows
what he wants to do with what the muse tells him! On this great CD, we
hear his "Strings Orchestral Suite" and "Big Band Suite", with 8 pieces (37:06)
that reach right down into your heart and tug at the strings. One of my
favorites was "Interlude
in A Minor (Spring)"... for one thing, I'm a sucker for minor key comps, but
the bass that kicks in at about 1:20 walks the pants off of those strings,
leading them 'round like a champ! On the big band side, I greatly enjoyed
"Miss
Fretless (Times Square, N.Y.)" - as you might imagine (Times Square, big
band & all), this is a totally different mood than the "Spring Orchestral"
stuff... jazz with an edge here, highly energetic & take no prisoners, to be
sure. The track that captured my pick as favorite, though, was "Unity
(South Side, Chicago)" - volcanic is the word I'll use to describe what Alex
sculpts for your aural enjoyment. A very pleasant mix (though you might
not expect so) between orchestral & big band that gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
from me, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.95. Get more
information at
www.reverbnation.com/alexwansdreamorchestra
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The Mark Lomax Trio with Edwin
Bayard and Dean Hulett - THE STATE OF BLACK AMERICA: These cats surely
know how to SMOKE those jams... this is exactly the kind of hardcore jazz I grew
up on during my first tours in Germany, circa 1964-1967. Totally creative
spirit on all 5 tracks... & don't let that number freak you, these pieces run
anywhere between 9 & (nearly) 12 minutes... the best way to start this CD is
right at the beginning... "Stuck
In A Rut" features Mark's splendific drums on the intro & the rambunctious &
high-spirited fun doesn't stop until the last note, nine minutes & thirty-five
seconds later; Edwin's sax is just killer on this one! This is one of the
tightest trios I've heard in the last 5 years, & I expect to be hearing much
more from them in the next 5... if it's a bluesy smoke-filled atmosphere you're
thirsting for, try out "Blues
For Charles (Who Split B4 The Butterfly Flew In)"! I loved this one,
but it's actually the multi-rhythm "The
Unknown Self" that captured my vote for favorite... if you didn't know who
you were when you started, you will by the end (or you need to be in a ward
somewhere). Superbly sensitive jazz that any true jazz fan will fall in
love with right away. I give them my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ"
(energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at
Mark's site. Rotcod Zzaj
Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio
- SIX: This is the sixth CD from this trio, & though it's my first
listen to them, I've been reviewing music from the pianist (Michael Jefry
Stevens) a lot over the last couple of years. The rest of the trio is
bassist Tim Ferguson and drummer Jeff "Siege" Siegel, and they do KICK, folks,
I'll tell you. Half of the tunes are covers & half are originals by the
trio members... you have never heard as unique a rendition of Monk's "Straight,
No Chaser" as they play... Michael's keyboards are at full-tilt all the way
through this track, & everyone else is right ON TIME, to be sure. I also
greatly enjoyed the Stevens' original "Song
For Rio", again featuring the piano and totally crisp recording that
captures every little nuance from Jeff and Tim. My favorite tune, though,
was track 5, "The Fire", penned by
Tim... totally full of the kind of energy I cut my jazz teeth on, and a sense of
movement that will make you want to get up and dance 'round the room for the joy
of it all! 20 years of playing together have made this one of the tightest
jazz trios you'll ever hear, & I give them a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all
jazz fans who want a taste of the best talent on the scene today. Their
"EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.97. Get more information
here!
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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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