Back in the 1960s, America experienced the “British Invasion.” Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Who took over the American scene, returning the sounds they received from American blues and R&B artists and adding their…
Month: March 2017
Madeleine Peyroux@The Arlington Theatre 03.17.17
Madeleine Peyroux showed at her Arlington Theatre concert that she has been able to accomplish what is surely the goal of every artist; that of finding one’s own voice. That has been doubly hard for Ms. Peyroux, as early in…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Chano Dominguez: Over the Rainbow
Recorded at a concert on Feb 24, 2012 in Palau Falguera in Barcelona, Spain, this album captures the heart and soul of Spanish pianist Chano Dominguez at his most romantic. He takes pieces ranging from show tunes, folk tunes, bop…
TRUE BOPPERS…Idrees Sulieman Quartet: The 4 American Men in Tangier
Here’s a fascinating 2 cd set delivered by two forgotten pro-beboppers. Idrees Sulieman was the trumpet player for some real early Thelonious Monk sessions as well as serving time with Mary Lou Williams and John Coltrane. Pianist Oscar Dennard worked…
Cynthia Hilts: Lyric Fury
Composer, pianist and vocalist, Cynthia Hilts mixes the free form bop of Charles Mingus with modern sounds and attitudes. She keeps things bona fide by bringing along Mingus alumnus Jack Walrath on trumpet, but the team of Lisa Parrott/bs-ss, Lily…
Hugo Selles: The Lonely Traveller
Residing in Denmark, Spanish composer and keyboardist Hugo Selles brings together a project group called Psychic Equalizer, consisting of his own keyboards along with a rotating team including Quico Duret/g, Morten Skett/dr, a string section and various guests either joining in…
A FRESH MALE VOICE…Ron Boustead: Unlikely Valentine
I think you’re gonna like this guy Ron Boustead. He writes as well as sings, and he comes across as a kind of tight and in control read of Mark Murphy. The album is swingingly produced by Grammy winning pianist/keyboardist…
HEAVY METAL & JAZZ…Reflections in Cosmo: Reflections in Cosmo, Led Bib: Umbrella Weather
What happens when you mix Metallica with Ornette Coleman? Well, these two albums from Rare Noise Records offer a couple of possibilities… Reflections in Cosmo consists of saxist Kjeti Moster, guitarist Hans Magnus Ryan, keyboard player Stale Storiokken and drummer…
BLUES POWER…Cary Morin: Cradle to the Grave
Rural folk blues get a treat from Cary Morin as he mixes originals with some clever covers on this casual album of picking, grinning and singing. He’s got a rural and rough voice, like the type you’d hear from a…
Jan Daley: When Sunny Gets Blue
This ep has vocalist Jan Daley delivering some standards in polished and attractive frames. A growling tenor mixes with strings as her misty voices coos on the title track, while keyboards create a luminous mood for “God Bless The Child”…