Tenor saxist JD Allen has carved out a career focusing on creating a smoky tone akin to masters like Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster. This album of ballads is what Allen was born to do, as he lets his sound…
Author: George W. Harris
The Lucky Losers: Arrival
The team of Cathy Lemons/voc and Phil Berkowitz/voc-harm lead a rocking and swampy team of Chris Burns/keys, Simon Govan Smith/g, Edgar San Gabriel/b, Jon Otis/dr and a bus load of guests through a foot stomping collection of originals. The two…
Joe Alterman and Mocean Worker: Keep The Line Open
Pianist and keyboardist Joe ALterman gives an homage to his mentor Les McCann on this album teaming him with Mocean Worker (who supplies just about every other instrument) and the presence of Mr. McCann himself in word, laughter, and supplier…
Bugge Wesseltoft: It’s Still Snowing On My Piano
The songs include a collection of traditional Christmas themes such as “Silent Night” and “What Child With This” with Wesseltoft in a warm and reverent mood. He combines other traditional material with originals such as the George Winstonish title track.…
Al Basile: Blues In Hand
Singing and playing the cornet with streetwise savvy, Al Basile teams up with Mark Teixeira/dr, Brad Hallen/b, Bruce Bears/key, Jeff Channonhouse/tp, Doug Janes and guests Kid Anderson-Jhett Black/g on a collection of swampy originals. The band stomps out Memphis grooves…
Aaron Parks: By All Means
You can definitely tell a book by its cover on this recent release by pianist Aaron Parks. In terms of the album cover inspired by Reid Miles, and even the wise decision to keep the 7 songs to fit into…
Tom Cohen: Embraceable Brazil
Drummer Tom Cohen mixes and matches musicians in settings ranging from trios to octets in this celebratory session. He mixes and matches Cidinho Teixeira/p, Itaiguara Brandao/b, Bennett Paster/str-b, Larry McKenna/ts, Edson da Silva Café/perc, Rob Hyman/mel, Jake Kelberman/g, Rob Curto/acc…
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT…Tony Joe White: Smoke From The Chimney
Even from the grave, Tony Joe White sounds better and more alive than 99.9% of today’s country and rock posers. This collection puts together some demos and never before released cuts, and believe you me, they are all gems of…
Rafael Enciso: Crossfade
Bassist Rafael Enciso brings his quartet of Gabriel Chakarji/p, Nicola Caminiti/as andMiguel Russell/dr together along with some guests for an album of post bopping originals. He shows a rich touch and tone on his solo feature “Whirlpool” while keeping the…
Natsuki Tamura & Satoko Fujii: Ki
Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and pianist Satoko Fujii reunite for their tenth recording on this studio recording focusing on silence and space. There are moments during this album, as on the agonizingly slow “ Hinoki” or reflective “Icho”, where there is…