Music has inherently been used to convey a message. Since people sang along with Moses after crossing the Red Sea to thank God for deliverance, music has reflected the religious and political scene. Here are two albums with messages that…
Month: November 2013
MORE TREASURES FROM JAZZ HAUS…The Modern Jazz Quartet: Germany 1956-1958, Volker Kriegel: Mainz 1963-1969
German label Jazz Haus has been uncovering some remarkably rare treasures from well known artists as well as impressive things from under-heard musicians that deserve a second listen. Here are two of the latest gifts from above. The Modern Jazz…
Tom Harrell: Colors of a Dream
Tom Harrell just never keeps still. He’s always looking for new directions and permutations, and this time around he’s done an intriguing release that includes Esparanza Spalding’s vocals (as well as her bass playing) along with his working band of…
Dave Bennett: Don’t Be That Way
Clarinetist Dave Bennett has performed with music ranging from the Count Basie Orchestra as well as the Hot Club of Detroit; now he works as a solo artist tipping the hat to the sounds of Herman, Goodman and Shaw. On…
James Taylor: The Essential James Taylor
Well, there’s “mellow,” and then there’s “James Taylor Mellow.”A completely different category in itself. I’ve never personally understood it, but almost every woman I know thinks that James Taylor is the embodiment of the “M” word the same way that…
Tim Berne’s Snakeoil: Shadowman
Tim Berne has put together a working team named after his last album, consisting of Oscar Noriega/cl-bcl, Matt Mitchell/p and Ches Smith/dr-perc/vibes in support of the leader, songwriter and alto sax player. They are recorded in upstate New York, with…
Arturo Sandoval’s Big Band @ The Broad Stage 11.15.13
This is the third time I’ve seen Arturo Sandoval in a matter of little more than a year, and each concert has had a completely different feel. This one, at the acoustically wondrous Broad Stage in Santa Monica, had the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Sam Jones: Cello & Bass/The Chant/Down Home
Yeah, right. A sideman/bass player to be the ROTW? Believe it! Sam Jones is best known, if known at all, for his stint with Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet way back when. He played both bass and cello, and somehow he put…
INTRIGUING FINGERS…Roberta Piket: Solo, Sides, Colors
Here’s a pianist that has lots of creative ideas along with a unique approach and touch. One album is a solo disc while the other one mixes and matches various combinations in an intriguing manner. Piket’s Solo album is impressive…
Geri Allen: Grand River Crossings
Pianist Geri Allen has one of the most distinct sounds and styles, and for the life of me can’t figure out why she doesn’t get more acclaim. Each one of her releases, since I discovered her 1991 The Nurturer, is…