One thing veteran musicians learn through the years is not what to play, but what “not” to play. Guitarist George Freeman, at 96, has mastered space and time like few before him putting together an album for the ages with…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke: Lean In
Vocalist Gretchen Parlato reunites with long time friend Lionel Loueke, both showing much growth since their collaborations almost 15 years prior. The melding of Parlato’s wisp of a voice, at times drifting and other times percussive, works hand in glove…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Rovanio: The Music of Nanny Assis
I shudder to think what modern jazz would sound like today if it weren’t saved back in the1950s by Brazilian sounds in general and samba in particular. One of today’s best proponents of the sensuous sounds of Brazil is delivered…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joe Farnsworth Quintet: In What Direction Are You Headed?
Best known for his work with the likes of tenor saxists Pharoah Sanders, Benny Golson and Eric Alexander, drummer Joe Farnsworth shows how he can stretch out and still swing with a fresh sound of musicians from today’s generation. He…
****THIS IS HARD BOP PIANO****Sonny Clark: The Complete Sonny Clark Blue Note Sessions
Hard bop pianist Sonny Clark is no stranger to Mosaic Records. He was a sideman on three classic units previously reissued, one with Buddy DeFranco , another with Tina Brooks, and the last alongside Grant Green. In this limited edition,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Stockholm Voices: New Horizon
It’s albums like this that get you excited about jazz again! First, it’s also reassuring that there are other bands in Sweden besides ABBA. Do I get an “Amen”? The group Stockholm Voices consists of Gunilla Tornfeldt/sop, M aria WInther/alto,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Anthony E. Nelson Jr: Swinging Sunset
Tenor sax man Anthony E. Nelson Jr puts out an album that takes you back to the beefy horn/B3 meetings between Stanley Turrentine or Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis with Shirley Scott. Nelson smokes like a Cohibo throughout, with Koehler humming on…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lauren Henderson: Conjuring
Following up on her last album, the seductive La Bruja, vocalist Lauren Henderson continues using less to say more on this dishabille-dressed collection of late night moods. She mixes and matches with the cool tones of Joel Ross/vib, Gabe Schnider-Nick…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****The Rumble: Live at The Maple Leaf
There aren’t a lot of times you hear a live disc and think to yourself “I wish I were there”, but this concert at The Maple Leaf by The Rumble makes me want to take in the atmosphere and vibe.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dexter Gordon: Copenhagen Coda
Returning to his “home” of Denmark after a successful “comeback” in his native United States, Dexter Gordon sounds inspired on this four song concert session recorded at Montmartre back in February, 1983. One of my biggest regrets is that I…