One of the goals of every musician is to develop a distinctive sound and style. Guitarist Robin Trower showed the packed Canyon Club that he is one of the last blues/rock guitarists to be able to be identified by within…
Month: June 2015
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Chris Washburne & The Syotos Band: Low Ridin’
This is a fun album! Isn’t that one of the reasons you got into jazz in the first place? Chris Washburne plays both trombone and tuba here, as he leads a percussive heavy team of Vince Cherico, Oreste Abrantes, Roberto…
Jason Miles & Ingrid Jensen: Kind of New
A better title by keyboardist Jason Miles and trumpeter Ingrid Miles might have been “Kind of Brew” as the electronic sounds on this attractive disc seem more akin to Miles Davis first electronic session than his ’59 classic. Nevertheless, Jensen’s…
Isaac Darche: Team & Variations
Here’s an impressive and tightly wound band lead by guitarist Isaac Darche. He brings together Chad Lefkowitz-Brown/ts, Glenn Zaleski/p, Desmond White/b and EJ Strickland/dr for a mix of cleverly and “S Originals such as “A ‘WInkel In Time” and “Sloped…
Ajoyo: Ajoyo
African sounds and moods are prevalent on this exciting and visceral release by Ajoyo, which features the lead vocals of Sarah Elizabeth Charles. Her clear and earnest voice is surrounded by a band that veers towards Western Afro Pop; Alon…
Kevin Cline: Make Up Your Mind
No, not THAT Kevin Kline, thank God! This guy is a pianist and pianist who is an impressive composer and arranger here as he demonstrates on this plethora of material that includes Bobby Shew on trumpet and flugelhorn. Some hip…
STRAIGHTAHEAD! Steve Johns: Family, Russ Nolan: Call It What You Want
Trends and fads come and go;straight-ahead jazz, or mainstream, if you will, is what will keep being played 1000 years from now. Here are two beauts. Drummer Steve Johns leads a family affair with Debbie Lee Johns/ts-ss, Daryl Johns/b as…
GRAND SLAM….Trilogos: Traces Of Chants, The Spirit Farm: The Spirit Farm, Oxford Jazz Masters Series: Suite Of Dreams
Ya gotta love the moxie of the Slam label. They aren’t afraid to record the most adventurous music out there. But, they don’t do it for it’s own sake; much of the music has an importance to it. Carry on……
Paul Elwood: Nice Folks
“Folks” is the right word. Paul Elwood plays five-string banjo and sings along with Kelsyey Shiba here. What makes this interesting is that he then brings together left of center jazzers like Famoudou Don Moye/perc, Pierre Fenichel/b, Raphael Imbert/sax-bcl, Jean-Marc…
Simon Frick: Solo
First off, you’re not going to believe the disclaimer that “everything you hear on this album has been played on the violin using different playing techniques and effect pedals.” When you think of “solo violin,” you usually think of Bach…