Pianist Antonio Adolfo delves deep into some exciting music from the pen of Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth, sans the title track. The team of Adolfo with Claudio Spiewak/g, Jorge Helder/b, Marcelo Martins/ss-fl, Rafael Barata/dr-perc and Marcos Suzano/perc. Adolfo’s own title…
Month: June 2014
Bryce Dessner & Jonny Greenwood: St Carolyn by the Sea/Suite from “There Will Be Blood”
Here’s an interesting mix of classical, jazz and rock. From the rock band The National, Bryce Dessner brings out three of his own pieces ranging from 13-17 minutes. “St. Carolyn by the Sea” includes tasteful use of electric guitar by…
Ron Davis: Symphronica
Here’s a tasty little treat: pianist Ron Davis fronts a trio with Mike Downes/b and Ted Warren/dr along with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra fronted by Lillian Scheirich. The mix of small group dynamics and swing with the extra textures of…
Little Tokyo? Jozef Dumoulin: A Fender Rhodes Solo
You might ask what does Little Tokyo in LA have to do with this album by Jozef Dumoulin, which consists of sixteen songs interpreted by a Fender Rhodes piano. Well, the answer is simple: it’s filled with noodles! Ranging from…
Euforquestra: Fire
Wanna know where finger snapping soul went after Curtis Mayfield and Tower of Power? I think they transported into the band Euforquestra, as the mix of horns, funky back beat and earthy vocals will get you on the dance floor…
PLUGGING IN! Chat Noir: Elec/3/Cities, Plymouth: Plymouth
Back in the 70s, Power Trios were the heart and soul of Progressive Rock. Cream, Jimi Hendrix’s Experience, Emerson, Lake and Palmer were just a few of the smaller bands that worked on a big sound. Here we’ve got a…
THIS IS BEBOP 101-WEST COAST VERSION…Howard McGhee: West Coast 1945-1947
Here is a quintessential musical time capsule of the era when bebop was just coming into fashion. Imagine if Beethoven just arrived in Vienna in 1792; that’s the same effect that bebop had on the swing era in the post…
SWINGIN’ SESSIONS FROM AVID …Ella Fitzgerald: Three Classic Albums Plus Second Set, Charlie Byrd: Four Classic Albums, Bill Perkins: Four Classic Albums, Frank Wess: Four Classic Albums
The UK-based reissue specialists AVID RECORDS continues to find material that I never even knew existed, let alone was looking for. These undeservedly overlooked gems are finally seeing the light of day, and we are the better for it. Here…
Harvey Mason: Chameleon
Now, I realized that many of you are going to have to take this statement on faith, but once upon a time, modern jazz was actually POPULAR. Yes! It’s True! They played it on the airwaves, filled places like the…
UNJUSTLY FORGOTTEN…Lee Morgan/Clifford Jordan Quintet: Live in Baltimore 1968
Here is a recording from hard bop masters that need to be re-heard and re-evaluated in order for you to renew your jazz ears! Trumpeter Lee Morgan was one of the young studs on the trumpet from the mid 50s…