Month: March 2015

Pianist Justin Kauflin makes his debut on this impressive session produced by Quincy Jones. Teamed up with Billy Williams/dr, Chris Smith/b, Matt Stevens-Etan Haiza/g, Kauflin shows deft lyricism on this swinging mainstream collection of originals. He’s got a comfy touch…

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Any full figured woman over 30 that poses for an album cover in a one piece bathing suit has got to have a lot of either chutzpah or self confidence. Vocalist Robin Banks delivers a soulful collection of self penned…

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I’ve you live in the LA area, odds are that you’ve been to a gig that had Larry Koonse on guitar. He plays with everyone in every setting when he’s not being used for his versatile work in the studio.…

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OK, you got me: What is a “bass ukulele”?  Raphael Preuschl plays it under the leadership of pianist David Halbock’s trio along with Herber Pirker on this collection of tunes that combines originals with pieces by Arnold Schonberg under the…

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Vocalist Kasse’ Mady Diabate’ brings his rich and deep voice as he sings traditional Malian musica her with Makan Tounkara/ngoni, Lansine Koutare/balafon, Ballake Sissoko/koro and Vincent Segal/cello. The kora and ngoni are West African string instruments, and the balafon is…

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Vocalist Carol Saboya joins together with Hendrik Meurkens/harm-vibe and Antonio Adolfo/p to lead a bouncy Brazilian team of Claudio Spiewak/g, Itaiguara Brandao/b, Adriano Santos/dr and Andre Siqueira/perc through a collection of bossas both original and standard. Saboya’s voice is Gilberto…

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Vocalist Shelley Neill reaches into the 50s era of R&B, soul and country and gives them all a dash of late night jazz on this understated yet alluring collection. The team of Laszlo Gardony/p, Ron Mahdi/b and Yoron Israel keeps…

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Celebrating a score of years making jazz that’s smooth , as opposed to “smooth” jazz, Brian Culbertson brought his rhythmic and bluesy band to Yoshi’s for a good time that was hip and hep. This two disc set has Culbertson…

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When I get ready for church, I weekly pop in a disc that has worship music by the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Dixie Hummingbirds. Music that is filled with passion for God.…

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If you aren’t familiar with all of the songs from this iconic movie, SHAME ON YOU! It’s one of the true guilty pleasures of existence. This latest edition of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic is filled with extra ditties previously…

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