It might be hard to believe these days, but at one time there was a revival of swinging jazz, and The Straay Cats (Brian Setzer/g, Lee Rocker/b and Slim Jim Phantom/dr) were on the head of the Nike missle. Two…
Month: July 2015
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mark Weinstein: In Jerusalem
Multi-flutest Mark Weinstein has made out an impressive career by creating a large catalogue of Latin and Brazilian music. This time around, he moves to a different neighborhood by taking on the Great Jewish Songbook, a collecton of traditional Hasidic melodies…
Joe Locke: Love Is A Pendulum
Vibist Joe Locke makes for some subtle yet swinging chamber jazz along with Robert Rodriguez/p, Terreon Gully/dr and Ricky Rodriguez/b. Guests Donny McCaslin, Rosario Giuliani, Victor Provost, Theo Blackmann and Paul Bollenback add flavor and textures to various pieces as…
David Berkman: Old Friends and New Friends
Here’s a warm and pastoral album lead by pianist/composer David Berkman. He takes you on a walk through the reeds with a front line of Dayna Stephens/ss-ts, Billy Drewes/as-ss and Adam Kolker/ss-as-cl-bcl along with the sensitive yet supple team of…
Wendy Woo Band: Tipping Point
Wendy Woo plays guitars and sings while leading a band with Jimmy Lange/b3-key, Chris Maestas/dr, Steve Cox/b, Robin Hoch/voc and Mitch DeZwarte/b-eg. The songs are composed by the various team members and give a sort of bluesy rock feel that…
Levon Mikaelian: United Shades of Artistry
If you thought fusion died in the early 80s, get a load of this band lead by keyboardist Levon Mikaelian. The air tight band that he leads includes John Lee/g, Blake Meister/b and Tosin Aribisala/dr-perc as well as guest appearances…
Los Crema Paraiso: De Pelicula
Comprised of Alvaro Benavides/b, Jose Luis Pardo/g-key and Neil Ochoa/dr-perc, Los Crema Paraiso mixes Afro Cuban rhythms with 70s-80s pop beats making you wonder if you’re in Latin America or the NYC punk scene. Pop beats and farfisa organs mix…
The Dan Brubeck Quartet: Live From The Cellar
Son of the famed pianist/composer, drummer Dan Brubeck has carved out a respectable career on his own, and this quartet date in the famed Vancouver club is a logical work of genius. Billed as “Celebrating the music and lyrics of…
IF DJANGO WERE DJEWISH…Daniel Weltlinger: Koblenz
From a French-Hungarian-Israeli background, violinist Daniel Weldtlinger delivers a recording dedicated to both the musical spirit of Django Reinhardt and to the spirit of peace. He teams up with a core of Ian Date/g, Nigel Date/g, Tom Wade/b and a slew…
Dahi Divine: The Element
Tenor saxist Dahi Divine makes a strong debut here with a core team of Brett Williams/p-key, Justin Faulkner/dr, Anton Defade/b and some well timed guests. He’s got a thick, dark and rich sound to his orn and uses it well…