In case you hadn’t heard, guitar legend John McLaughlin’s next tour in the states is reputed to be his final one. This album of him with his simpatico 4th Dimension band is an RSVP to come visit one last time. Ironically,…
Month: October 2017
Oded Tzur: Translator’s Note
Tenor saxist carries a palpably rich and agonizing sound to his tenor, teaming up with Shai Maestro/p, Petros Klampanis/b and Ziv Ravitz/dr for a handful of thoughtful and dramatic originals. Except for the rousing and cathartic middle to end of…
REEDS IN MOTION…Triocity: I Believe in You, Unhinged Sextet: Don’t Blink
Like Moses, sometimes great things are found amidst the reeds… Charles Pillow plays alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute and bass flute on this spacious yet swinging trio session with Jeff Campbell/b and Rich Thompson/dr. The team has a…
CLASSIC OLD SCHOOL SESSION MAN…Reggie Young: Forever Young
With a career spanning 3 score years and including work ranging from BB King to Elvis, Etta James and Roy Orbison, session guitarist Reggie Young delivers a classy instrumental album that oozes style and substance. He teams with buddies like…
Kei Akagi Trio: Contrast and Form
Pianist Key Akagi has carved out an impressive career as a sideman for the likes of Miles Davis and Stanley Turrentine. I’ve seen him in both settings, and have been impressed by his chops and lyricism. Here, he leads a…
Steve Azar & The Kings Men: Down at the Liquor Store
Rootsy vocalist and guitarist Steve Azar leads a Southern blues team of Walter King/horns, Ray Neal/g, David Briggs/key, Regi Richards/b, Herman Jackson/dr, Jason Young/key, Dr Alphonso Sanders/horns and Jimmie Lee Jr/B3 to musically celebrate a local historically famous Mississippi liquor…
Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet: Jersey
Drummer Mark Guiliana leads a warm and versatile team with Jason Rigby/ts, Fabian Almazan/p and Chris Morrissey/b through nine rich and sophisticated originals. Guiliana keeps things versatile with tempos and use of the traps, charging the pulse forward on the…
Al Basile: Quiet Money
Roomful of Blues architect Al Basile gives a tribute to the jumping jive of Louis Jordan on this toe tapper of a release. He sings, plays horn and does the arrangements along with Duke Robillard/g, Mark Teixeria/dr, Brad Hallen/b, Bruce…
Tony Allen: The Source
Nigerian born and Paris based drummer Tony Allen is best known for his landmark work with Afro-Funk master Fela. Here, he gets into a jazz mode with a tentet that is rood thick with Yann Jankielewicz/as-ts-bs, Jean Jacques Elangue/ts, Remi…
Anouar Brahem: Blue Maqams
Anouar Brahem brings the mysterious sounds of the oud jazz atmosphere successfully in this albu with Dave Holland/b, Dack DeJohnett/dr and Django Bates/p. The team creates richly textured themes, some of which, such as “Bahia” have been produced before, but…