IMPROVIJAZZATION Nation
Issue # 82 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!
I've played in over 65 "bands" . We will highlight a few of these bands in this (and future) issues.
Featured Zzaj band for issue #82 - Detroit Improv Duo (these don't auto-start - CLICK the PLAY button to listen while you read our reviews - or don't, totally up to you!).
This grouping featured Pontiac, Michigan guitarist extraordinaire Jim Konen, with me on Kurzweill PC 88. On "The Fasttrack", Jim played horn on his guitar synth - VERY interesting sounds. The first two tracks also featured drummer Jim Russell, from Olympia, Washington. ENJOY!
Enrico Granafei - IN SEARCH OF
THE THIRD DIMENSION: As I sit here listening to Enrico's beautiful
harmoni-jazz, I'm taken back to times that were (surely) easier & less
tension-filled; remember myself sitting next to my grandmother's ancient radio &
hearing sounds similar to these come cascading over the airwaves... so long ago
that I can't remember who I was listening to (I was probably around 4 years
old), & the music certainly wasn't as jazzified as what Mr. Granafei is doing
here, but it was, nevertheless a "smooth & easy" ride. He carries off an
amazing feat... one-take only, playing both nylon string guitar and harmonica...
even an experienced listener would think this was (at least) two players, but
it's ALL him, using an "HFC" (Hands-Free Chromatic Harmonica). A wonderful
CD that will afford you many hours of pure listening pleasure. I rate it
as HIGHLY RECOMMENDED... very, very nice! Get more information at his
MYSPACE PAGE Rotcod Zzaj
ArtistShare
Label - SAMPLER: We
haven't done a lot of reviewing via the nets, but with the introduction (by one
of our most reliable promoters) of the ArtistShare Label, I've no doubt that
download/review via Internet is the next wave... they send the reviewer a
redemption cert, login, & you're able to pull down all the tracks, as well as
the cover art... the cover illustrated here is just one of 6 (this one is from
Danilo Perez's "The Panama Suite"). I spent a lot of time exploring all
aspects of the site &
it's genuinely impressive. Their artists are all high-talent, and the
sampler proves that beyond any shadow of a doubt. "Mr. Smoke", by Patrick
Williams, was one funkified tune, totally enjoyable, but it was a strangely
titled tune called "Hospital Loop" by a sax player named Joel Miller that really
got my juices kickin'; definitely my favorite on the sampler... superbly
recorded and high-energy to the maximum! If you're an artist who won't
accept anything less than the BEST for your music, check these folks out... they
get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from us, to be sure! Rotcod Zzaj
Rave Tesar Trio - YOU DECIDE:
All originals on this neatly played CD from Rave, who has been playing (piano)
on the NYC scene for well over 20 years now. The trio is rounded out by
Kermit Driscoll on bass and Bill Tesar (Rave's brother) on drums. This is
very straight-ahead jazz, no oddball or "out-there" excursionary treks... on the
other hand, Tesar's approach to keyboards is so fluid and inspired that you'll
often find yourself amazed at his dexterity and creative talent. Recording
for this 1 June, 2008 release is superb, crisp sounding from the opening to the
last bar of music. The title track opens with an excellent drum intro that
will bring to mind visions of deepest, darkest jungle... when the bass melds in,
then the piano, you will find yourself completely captivated! It's "MINAS",
the next to last track, with strong Latin leanings, that gets my vote as
favorite track, though; the trio shows just how tight they are on this one!
What impresses me more than anything else about this sweet little trio is the
talent for composition that is totally accessible, yet (still) full of mystery
and anticipation for the listener. I give this one a MOST HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED... get your copy reserved now! More information at
www.tesarmusic.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Virginia Mayhew Septet - A SIMPLE
THANK YOU:
Virginia is no stranger to our pages; we reviewed her works in
#63, as well as in
#32... on both those
occasions, I was simply amazed by her ability to "speak" through her reeds
(tenor & soprano saxophone) - and that hasn't changed on this musical adventure,
either! It's more than just her ability to infuse each tune with high
energy, too... her all-original compositions will carry you away into jazz
dreams... one of the best examples is "Just A Blues", with a deep and
full-bodied sound that can't be equaled by many in today's jazz circles.
The title track leads in slow, but impresses your ears with the solid talent
displayed... very nice & "easy moving" all the way through. If you wanna'
hear "BIG CITY/BIG BAND", though, listen to the last track, "SANDAN
SHUFFLE", my favorite piece on the album... it actually came from an earlier
album of the same name, but this rendition added 3 additional horns.
Despite the CD's sentimental-sounding title, this is one scorching display of
excellence, & comes (once again) MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from these ol' ears!
Get more information (& listen to some samples) at
www.virginiamayhew.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Greg Chako - EVERYBODY'S GOT A
NAME:
We first reviewed Greg's music a couple of issues back (#77)
on his "PAINT A PICTURE, TELL A STORY" CD (which we made a "PICK" for that
issue). We like this album very much as well, though it has a much more
"uptown" kind of flavor, at least to my ears. It still features Greg's
fantastic guitar works, & though he's joined by Mark DeRose (percussion, drums),
Yasuhiro Hasekawa's bass & piano by Hiroshi Tanaka, there seems to be more
emphasis on Chako's guitar this time. Now, don't get me wrong, you can
still hear the other players, it (somehow) just seems like Greg's playing
is more "in front" on these tracks than on the earlier CD. Some of that
may be attributable to the fact that the players are those that Greg played with
(most often) while he lived in Japan... & it's clear that he GOT the concept for
this CD "right on"... doesn't matter if the player has "big name" recognition...
'coz, as the album title implies - "everyone has a NAME"! He added some
funny touches to the CD jacket (but you'll have to purchase it to see what they
are, eh?). Ah, NOW I hear some more piano (title track), & Mr. Tanaka can
SMOKE, volkz! The more I listen through the compz on this album, the more
it "sticks" to my ribs... there are some very strong tunes here, most
notably (& my favorite on the CD) being "Yamanashi
Snow"... a very haunting piece... starts off slow, with nice jazz
orientation & a genuine "hook" for the listener to carry away with them (for
years, I might add). This one rates our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and (once
again) the "PICK" of this issue for "most creative flow in a jazz recording".
Get more information at www.gregchako.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Ahn Trio - LULLABY FOR MY
FAVORITE INSOMNIAC:
This amazing musical experience is more in the classical realm than jazz
(though not strictly classical... there are elements of jazz, popular and (even)
avant-garde forms to be heard here, too), but as we have always said, we aren't
concerned nearly as much with genre as we are with the passion for
the playing of the music, and this trio from Korea clearly has it, in
spades! During my 15 years there, we watched many players trying to
"imitate" songs from other countries... some were good, some quite credible,
others weren't even worth mentioning... none were as exciting and original in
their approach to covers as these 3 young sisters (Angelia on violin, Lucia
doing piano and Maria on cello). That may have to do, at least partially,
with the fact that they were trained at Julliard & now live in NYC, but it is
their perception and talent for putting the 21st Century listener's desires into
their music that shines through. For me, that was best heard on
"OBLIVION", my favorite track on the album (you can hear it and other samples at
www.myspace.com/ahntrio ).
They keep an extensive tour schedule, so be sure to check this page to see when
they may be close enough for you to listen to them. I'm highly impressed,
enough so to rate this as MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for adventurous listeners of
all persuasions. Some great music with great energy; you'll be hearing
much more from these young ladies in the future. Rotcod Zzaj
Kenny Carr - CHANGING TIDE:
We reviewed Kenny in issue
#74; as indicated then, this fella' has that soul jazz guitar down
flat! On this CD (released in May 2008), he demonstrates total talent
yet again, especially with tunes like "Blues
For Ray" & "Eastside
Groove"... I fell in love with "Eastside" right away, probably because of
how tightly coordinated the players are (Kenny's guitars, Donny McCaslin's sax,
Tom Baldwin's acoustic bass & Frank Russo's drums) all the way through, but
especially notable on this track! From the standpoint of different jazz
"flavors", this third CD release has just about everything your ears could
want... wonderful tinges of Latin, for instance, on "Bossa Luna", as well as the
aforementioned blues & groove wonders! "Soaring" will (as you might
imagine) take you up there where winged creatures go with ease, & another
favorite of mine, "Cooper House", will probably bring nostalgic mem'ries of days
gone by. This CD gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who can't let a
day go by without listening to highly talented jazz guitar, as well as the
"PICK" of this issue for "best jazz guitar CD". Get more info on Kenny at
www.kennycarrguitar.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Duke Ellington Legacy Band -
THANK YOU, UNCLE EDWARD: "Thank You, Uncle Edward" was just released in
March of this year, & features Ellington alumnae Joe Temperley's bass clarinet &
baritone sax, along with trombone by Wycliffe Gordon, a 3-horn front line with a
player well familiar to our readers, saxophonist/arranger Virginia Mayhew and
vocalist Nancy Reed... a host of other players, too, far too many to itemize
here. Duke's grandson Edward, who demonstrates some interesting guitar
talent on tracks like "Pretty Woman" and "Moon Mist", wanted (along with Mayhew)
to ensure that young musicians be exposed to Duke's music. The absolute hoppin'
beat of "Toe Tickler" is an original composition (a tribute to Lester Young) by
Virginia Mayhew, whose playing we just love, will have YOU hoppin' as well!
In fact, this track is our favorite on the album (you can listen to short
samples of all the tunes at
www.dukeellingtonlegacy.com/musicClips.shtml ). Another really vibrant
piece is "Cottontail", which I really liked because everyone was playing in
total "alive" mode in support of Ms. Reed's excellent vocal! This is one
of the finest jazz tributes I've ever heard & rates an immediate MOST HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED from my ears! Visit the site above to learn more about the
"Duke Ellington Legacy". Rotcod Zzaj
The Stein Brothers Quintet -
QUIXOTIC:
These brothers (Alex on tenor & Asher on alto) got a pretty early start (13 &
10), but they can be-bop with the best of 'em, I'll tell you! This is
their debut CD (released on 6 May, 2008), & it's a cooker all the way through!
Mferghu plays piano, Doug Largent bass & Joe Blaxx does drums; there are also
guest shots from trumpeter Duane Eubanks & trombonist Jonathan Voltzok to round
it all out. Their composition and playing skills are clearly evident on
all the tracks, but they also breathe new life into be-bop all the way
through the album, especially so on original comps like "Trailblazer" (you can
hear samples of all the tracks by clicking
HERE, though they're not downloadable, except by
payment, & so couldn't be linked in); this is my favorite cut on the album.
On the next release, it would also be nice to have the titles burned right onto
the CD, so anyone purchasing them can burn them right to their hard drive... in
these digital days, that's almost a must! There is no doubt you
will be hearing more from these fine young fellows... they are excellent players
& composers & clearly speak the language that be-boppers the world over will
understand. I give them a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED on this album & will be
looking for more from them! Get more info, bios, news, etc., at
www.steinbrothersjazz.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
David Thorne Scott - DYAD, with
Mark Shilansky:
What an experience this DYAD production is... Scott's vocals mesh perfectly
with Shilansky's piano... they bill it in the liners as "...a sublime meeting of
two minds"; & that just about sums it up. It's not strictly jazz, though
it certainly leans in that direction, with some great scat work, but cuts like
"Boulder To Birmingham" bring clear visions of Marlboro men & other heroes
trudging across the majestic plains in search of lost loves. David's
version of John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" will stay in your mind for years
to come... he's got a haunting vocal style, with clear and definitive talent
that many will fall in love with right away. Shilansky's keyboards, though
quite melancholy at times, also convey a playful spirit. Whatever that
"magic" is that players glom onto at times, these two have "got it". A
very interesting album that adventurous listeners everywhere will enjoy! I
give it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Get more information at
http://cdbaby.com/cd/dthornescott3
Rotcod Zzaj
Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra (MSJO)
- HARRIET TUBMAN:
Harriet Tubman, who I hadn't read much about before listening to this musical
tribute, was called the "Moses of Her People", in relation to her efforts as a
"conductor" on the Underground Railroad... unbeknownst to most, she used &
incorporated many musical elements into her various endeavors. MSJO uses
it's 15-piece jazz orchestra to create what you might best think of as a jazz
"opera", filled with vibrant energy and high talent on 2 full CD's to musically
interpret Kate Clifford Larsen's book "Harriet Tubman: Bound For The
Promised Land" into an experience you'll not soon forget. If you love to
"hear" heroes, as well as read about them, I would suggest sitting down with Ms.
Larsen's book while you listen to this epic performance. Very often, I
find tribute albums (especially ones based on written material) come across very
pretentiously, but Shelby simply uses the music to tell the story, and turns
this into a vivid memory, whose music will stick to your ribs for years & years
to come. It's some of the finest jazz I've heard this year, & gets our
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, as well as the "PICK" of this issue for "best
jazz tribute album of 2008"! Get more information at
www.marcusshelby.com/ Rotcod
Zzaj
Sumi Tonooka Trio (with Rufus
Reid & Bob Braye) - LONG AGO TODAY:
Though this is our first listen to Sumi's jazz piano, we are mightily
impressed... the opener, "Be The Dance", brings vibrant and rich life to
your ears. Her right hand demonstrates lightning speed, while the left
comps (in some ways) like one of our favorites, Horace Silver. She moves
right into a moving ballad piece, "All Of You", on which Braye's brush work
moves the tune, in conjunction with very impressive (yet subtle) bass lines from
Rufus Reid. On "Quantum Question", her affinity and admiration for
Thelonius' mysterious phrasings comes through, though her playing is more
accessible than some of Monk's works. The title track conveys her intent
fully, stirring memories both pleasant and sad; recording on this particular cut
is among the best I've heard this year. The tune that really captured the
spirit of Sumi's style (and my favorite on the album) was "Renewal"...
the trio's talent for playing straight-ahead jazz that doesn't "smell funny"
(i.e., isn't just the same old thing) just shines on this one!
"Long Ago Today" is one of the best albums I've reviewed in 2008, & rates an
immediate & exuberant MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who love jazz in all
corners of the world. Get more information at
www.sumitonooka.com
Rotcod Zzaj
Thom Rotella 4-tet - OUT OF THE
BLUES:
You'll pardon me if I beg to differ - Thom & his partners (Roy Mccurdy on
drums, Luther Hughes on bass & Llew Matthews/Rich Eames on piano) are more "in"
to the blues than "out"! Thom's brand of jazz kinda' "struck home" with
me, & I couldn't figure out why until I read the liners on the
CD BABY site... he's from
Niagara Falls, NY, just up the road from where I grew up. This, his 8th
CD, is released on his new label, "Four Bar Music", which he says holds as it's
charter "the discovery and release of music that finds it's way to the ears,
heart and souls of music lovers"... no doubt in my mind that with superb music
like this, that will be a relatively e-z ticket to punch. Ten great
tracks, but my favorite was "The
Dr. Is In", which honors his hero (Wes Montgomery), to be sure, but with new
energy & life for the blues that displays abundant talent & love for the music
he plays! Another tune that really caught my ear was the slinky &
heartfelt "Shimmer"...
total blues feel, & a recording that lets you hear every little nuance.
I'm highly impressed, and if you love guitar-based blues/jazz, you will be
too... this one gets our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating! The CD will be
released on 1 June, 2008, so get your order in now. More information at
http://thomrotella.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Faruq Z. Bey w/Northwoods
Improvisers, f/Mike Carey and Skeeter Shelton - JOURNEY INTO THE VALLEY:
Listening to the sound-only version on this
Entropy Stereo release will
take you on a sonic trek that's both pleasant and intriguing. One of the
main attractors for me, though, was the fact that these all-original
compositions feature spoken-word as well - "In Memoriam" is of particular note;
precise punctuality, followed by a blues-laden solo with solid bass/rhythm
underpinnings, brings the message all the way home. Bey's reed work & poetry are
svelte and professional, especially when you watch the performances on the
accompanying DVD... the commitment to absolute jazz spirit and communion with
the muse is well conveyed, and will give you hours of visual and auditory
pleasure. Those readers who also play music will be able to see (right
away) that the show is rooted in the spheres, free-flowing and natural - there
is no sense of haughtiness passed on by the players... their simple love of
playing comes through clearly and without any attempts to hook the
listener/viewer into any "cosmic mystic" pseudo-religious dogma. One
cautionary note... this isn't a "car album"... you need to reserve an hour or so
with nothing else on your mind, so you can focus completely on what these folks
are giving you. A superb musical/wordweave excursion that comes MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by us. Get more information at
www.entropystereo.com Rotcod Zzaj
Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet -
FOR THE CHILDREN:
Stevens piano on this little CD is absolutely smokin'... it's "retro" in a
sense, as it comes from the Cadence Jazz label's historical series.
Recorded in the mid-'90's, it's lost nothing to the years, still coming across
with full live and energy for the music being played. Michael is joined by
David Scnitter's sax, Dominic Duval's bass & Jay Rosen's drums on a recording
that is (certainly) on a par with the best recordings of today. This isn't
jazz that can be easily dismissed, either... the compositions hearken back to
the best jazz of the 20th century, and will get you in the groove almost as soon
as the album starts. All the players have a comfort level with free/modern
jazz, & the skills & talents to pull it off as though this were the most
accessible jazz on the dial. Every instrument is "in synch", especially
from the standpoint of timing... it's almost like you're overhearing a lively &
spirited conversation between the players; consider yourself fortunate to get an
insight into just how intricate musicians like these think. This is some
of the most innovative jazz I've heard (yet) this year & rates our MOST HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED rating! Get more information at
www.michaeljefrystevens.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
R.P. Collier -
DECONSTRUCTION OF TWILIGHT:
If you're in the mood for a little guitar improv, this CD will do the trick for
you... in addition to playing some very laid-back & insightful improvised music,
Collier also builds instruments, which allows him (I think) to achieve a kind of
intimacy with the guitar that few ever get to. There is no
"favorite" this time around, as the composition is one big one, not split up
into tracks. Musically, this comes across to the listener much like the
way a dream occurs... leading into something that you can't quite determine with
any firmness... the difference in this case is that R.P. is able to back up his
claim to "pensive and searching guitar work" with - he definitely brings the
dream to life for your ears. He also has some very interesting VIDS at
YOUTUBE;
extremely creative work. If you're looking for guitar works that jump,
you'll have to go elsewhere, but if you're a reflective listener who enjoys
hearing mystery brought to live, this one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Get more
information at R.P.'s CDBABY page.
Rotcod Zzaj
Jessica Jones Quartet - WORD:
A true "family affair" on this CD... Jessica does piano (as well as tenor sax),
her daughter Candace does some beautiful vocals, & husband Tony does tenor sax
as well. The thing that's most striking about this musical adventure (for
me, anyway) is the superb recording... everything "clicks", vocals are right
where they should be in the mix, & life just shines through as each tune
progresses. The lead-in, "Everything Is", showcases Candace's wonderfully
powerful vocals, but also features rich blended saxophone... all other
instruments on the track are crystal-clear, & talent is abundant everywhere.
The deep blues influence on the great 6/8 track titled "What Purpose Is Your
Pain" will give you clear indicators of the superb jazz skills these players
possess; according to the liners, it serves as a transition to the rest of the
album, which is spoken-word all the way. "Saratoga Avenue" (a poem by
Arisa White) is among the very best poetry I've heard in the last 3 years, and
the free-wheeling & vibrant improvisations going on down under the reading will
blow you away! "I'm Calling", another White poem, is the best
improv/spoken-word tune I've heard this year... great band lead-in to the
reading, but it's the complex changes which will hold your attention. This
album can't get enough praise from me, especially if the listener is in love (as
I am) with the natural marriage between music/words. I give this CD our
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, as well as the "PICK" of this issue for "best
jazz & spoken-word CD"! Get more information at
www.jessicajonesmusic.com/band.html Rotcod Zzaj
Sheila Cooper/w/Fritz Pauer -
TALES OF LOVE AND LONGING:
Our introduction to Sheila's music was a joyful experience, to be sure... in
addition to jazz vocals that are laden with soul, she also plays stunning alto
saxophone against the sultry keyboards by Fritz Pauer. It won't take but a
few bars to lure you into the magic she is weaving here. Though her
selections for this album are mostly covers (Ellington, Porter & Hoagy, just to
name a few), the energy she pours into the vocals, as well as the rich tones she
coaxes from that sax will make you sit up & listen... her reed intro to "I'm A
Fool To Want You" will make you hear the cries of a lover on the other side of
the universe... POWERFUL! Her rendition of Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is
The Ocean" is exuberant & spirit-filled... will give you pleasant vibes for
hours... absolutely joyful. I'm always excited to be interested to "new"
artists (meaning those I haven't heard before), & I've no doubt we'll be hearing
much, much more from Ms. Cooper. I rate her album a (definite) HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED for lovers of high talent jazz the world 'round! Get more
information at www.sheilacooper.com/
Rotcod Zzaj
Bennett Paster & Gregory Ryan -
GRUPO YANQUI RIDES AGAIN: All but 2 ("Tones for Joan's Bones" by Chick
Corea & "Chelsea Bridge" from Billy Strayhorn) of the 9 compositions on this
funky latin-based CD are originals, which no doubt is what made our blood kick
up it's heels & begin to (mentally, anyway) dance frenetically. It
only took a couple listens through the 9 tracks to figure out that "The
Unabonger" was the track for me... absolute favorite, with solid Latin licks
& an energy quotient that just won't quit... + which, that title is
priceless! Nearly all the tunes are danceable, so you get more than
you bargained for... high-energy jazz, new directions & a great beat for your
toes to tap to, or get up & shuffle madly 'round the room to. The group,
led by Bennett's piano, takes you on a passionate percussive journey that you
won't soon forget; in fact, some of these compositions will stay with you for
years if you listen to the album (even) once. I'm mightily impressed... we
hope to hear much more from these folks (& I'm sure we will). If you're
looking for Latin jazz that isn't (in the least bit) "tired", check them
out right away. I give this our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, & advise
you to learn more about "Grupo Yanqui" at
www.grupoyanqui.com/ Rotcod Zzaj
Laszlo Gardony - DIG DEEP:
All 9 cuts (except Gershwin's "Summertime") are highly creative originals from
Laszlo... the keyword here is creative... not "wacked" (at all), just the
ability to take a line & infuse it with significance that other players miss.
Even gospel is not sacrosanct in his hands... as I sit here listening to the
opener, "In
Transit", I can't help but be reminded of "Universal Prisoner" on "Second
Movement" by Les McCann/Eddie Harris... no, it's not an exact match (or a
rip-off), but it's clearly in the same timeless realm... absolutely my
favorite tune on the album, though "Heavy"
runs a pretty close second. His treatment of Gershwin's tune would have (I
suspect) brought a distinct smile to Ira's mug... great stride left hand that
actually (believe it or not) makes the tune quite danceable. It's clear
that the rest of the trio (bassist Joe Lockwood & drummer Yoron Israel) "get it"
regarding Gardony's musical humor. This is, without question, the most
"different" version of "Summertime" I've ever heard... nuthin' but FUN! I
do think it would be nice to hear some reeds against tunes like this - maybe
next time, eh? For those inclined towards jazz that features power piano,
this comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Hands down, the "PICK" of the YEAR for
"best piano trio". Get more information at
www.lgjazz.com/ Rotcod Zzaj
Andy Middleton - THE EUROPEAN
QUARTET LIVE: Mr. Middleton's soprano is a far cry from "smooth", Kenny G,
or any other MOR (middle of the road) solution for listeners... this fellow can
make his horn cry, shout or sneak around the beat - whatever is
called for by the composition (all either originals or traditionals improvised
by Andy). He's joined by Tino Derado's piano, Paul Imm's bass & Alan
Jones' drums in a sort of celebration (I guess) of his recent relocation to
Vienna... his skills are clearly demonstrated for your ears, and you will find
this some of the most inspiring (yet accessible) improv you've ever heard.
There were only 6 tracks, but they all clock in at (nearly) 10 minutes or over,
so you've got a solid hour's worth of sonic gourmet to feast upon... that's
truly how I would term this excursion... both delicate and tasty, & surely
filling. This is actually our first listen to his work, but it certainly
won't be the last... this is someone to keep your ears on if you're looking for
a jazz menu that will carry you on into the 22nd century. As well as
Andy's deeply satisfying sax work, I was highly impressed with Tino's keyboards
(& since I'm a piano player myself, that's kind of a "natural", eh?); great
strong touch & a unique signature, but without treading over any of the other
players. That's what you'll find with all 4 players here... the tunes are
arranged to give them each their solo sections, & they don't hesitate to jump
right in & take their turn. All in all, this is one of the most solid jazz
releases I've listened to this year - it gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from us,
to be sure. Get more information at Andy's
MYSPACE SITE. Rotcod Zzaj
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, you will be BLACKLISTED on this site!!!)
We would really appreciate any support you can give us in this effort - as you'll see, there are a few FREE trax on each of the albums, too! Please (also) TELL other folks about our new BLASTMYMUSIC site!
You can ALSO sell your OWN music by clicking on the graphic
below (you'll really be helping Zzaj out, as it uses my Affiliate ID when you
sign up with BLASTMYMUSIC. Thanks:
In This Issue: -
IF you are the FIRST e-mail respondent to this note (to
rotcod@hawaii.rr.com - MAKE SURE
your subject states ALEX CD), you will
receive (free of charge) a copy of a superb jazz CD by Alex Kontorovich, titled
"DEEP MINOR" (which was reviewed in our last issue). We will have (some)
more freebies coming in future issues, so be sure & tell all your friends about
us!
RETURN to Zzaj
Productions MAIN page!
