Guitarist Lionel Loueke has had an impressive career as a sideman with the likes of Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock, as well as a fledging go as a solo act. Each of his own releases gets incrementally better, solid and…
Month: October 2012
Neil CowleyTrio: The Face of Mount Molehill
High on melody and composition, low on improv. If that’s what you want, pianist Neil Cowley is going to satisfy. He fronts a trio with Rex Horan/b and Evan Jenkins/dr, with some infused with a guitarist, over half of the…
David Sanborn: The Anthology
Why is it that we all LOVE David Sanborn, but detest Kenny G? The music here on this hearty 2 disc anthology came out at essentially the same time as the G Forcer, was purchased by the same crowd, and…
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Rattle Them Bones
This is the kind of music that initially got me hooked on jazz many moons ago. The jump/swing of guys like Louis Jordan or Cab Calloway had such an infectious feel that it was as easy switching to this stuff…
Jumpin’ Jazz Kids: A Swinging Jungle Tale
When I was a child, I remember being given these big books with Porky Pig or Bugs Bunny. Inside was a group of 45 rpm records, which I was supposed to play and listen to while following the story along…
Bobby Sanabria Big Band: Multiverse
Rhythm Meister Bobby Sanabria not only plays just about everything that makes sound in a Pier One Imports store, but he brings in about 4 other percussionists to his oversized big band for some exciting music. Some of it, like…
Ranee Lee: Deep Song-A Tribute To Billie Holiday, Halie Loren: Stages
Female vocalists…without them most musicians would be out of work. They are the visual and auditory draw for 90% of jazz fans. How a lyric is delivered influences not only scores of other singers, but musicians as well. Here, vocalists…
Andrew Swift: Swift Kick, Kerong Chock: Good Company
Drummer Andrew Swift leads a rotating band that includes Eric Alexander/ts, Wycliffe Gordon/tb George cables/p and a host of others on this collection of tunes that range from sophisticated bop like Duke Pearson’s “Is That So?” to originals such as…
The Jens Wendelboe Big Band: Fresh Heat
Here’s a big band that’s got some originality to it. Trombonist Jens Wendelboe writes and arranges a good percentage of the material here, with a mix of instrumentals and vocals. The latter feature Deb Lyons on an intriguingly swinging take…
Otis Taylor: Contraband
There are few bona fide blues artists around these days; Otis Taylor reigns supreme in terms of veracity. His foreboding voice, style and attitude are apparent on this disc that has him in mix and match bands that include Todd…