West Canadian based Steve Sainas mixes blues, folk and a dash of casual bluegrass on this unassuming collection of originals. His voice sounds like it’s hitched hike a number of journeys, telling rich yarns as on “Ruby Jo” and the…
Month: March 2018
THIS IS A BEBOP TRIO 101…Hank Jones: In Copenhagen Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983
Pianist Hank Jones is one of the few artists that even if you’re a die hard hater of jazz, you’re going to love him. You can blindfold select any of his albums, and it’s guaranteed to be a winner; they’re…
VOICES! Eleanor Dubinsky: Soft Spot of My Heart, Veronneau: Love & Surrender
Female vocalists displaying charm and flexibility… Not only does Eleanor Dubinsky sing on this album with Rolando Semedo/b, Frank Ponzio/p-key, Wesley Amorim/g, Ivo Costa/dr and Miroca Paris/perc, but she composes the wide ranging selection of tunes. Her voice has a…
VETERAN VOICE…Steve Tyrell: A Song For You
Steve Tyrell has made a living as the quintessential crooner, and this latest album shows how he is able to work an audience, even though it’s a studio album. His leathery voice and impeccable timing has him selecting material that…
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING….John Kay & Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf at 50
With half a century of retrospection, it’s now quite easy to see where the roots of mid 60s psychedelic rock initially came from. The hard rocking band Steppenwolf, featuring John Kay’s ominous vocals and wild “heavy metal thunder” is featured…
Azar Lawrence: Elementals
Long overdue for appreciation and accolades, Azar Lawrence adds another strong album to his already impressive catalogue. The LA local brings together Benito Gonzales/p-key, Jeff Littleton/b, Marvin “Smitty” Smith/dr, Munyngo Jackson/perc and some guests for a Coltrane-inspired session of burning…
DUETS!!! Frank Carlberg & Noah Preminger: Whispers and Cries, Mike Jones & Penn Jillette: The Show Before the Show, Mark Egan & Arjun Bruggeman: Dreaming Spirits
The most intimate of jazz get togethers, the duet, is in rich display on these three albums, showing the joys of musical conversations in a variety of genres. Pianist Frank Carlberg teams with tenor saxist Noah Preminger to stretch out…
Andrew Gould: First Things First
Andrew Gould uses his alto sax, soprano sax and FX to team up with Steven Feifke/p-key, Marco Panascia/b, Jake Goldbas/dr-perc, Scott Wendholt/tp and Iona Vintu/voc for some impressive new material that veers between modal and advanced post bop. Gould’s allegiance…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE LAST OF THE CLASSIC QUINTET…Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Final Tour-Bootleg Series Volume 6
This 4 cd set (also available in vinyl) comprises the last concert recordings of Miles Davis’ “First Classic Quintet” with John Coltrane, Jimmy Cobb/b, Wynton Kelly/p and Paul Chambers/b. These concerts from Paris, Stockholm and Copenhagen, while most having been…
Edgar Steinitz: Roots Unknown
Edgar Steinitz explores The Great Jewish Songbook as leads an ecumenical team of Bonnie Birch/acc, Jeff Busch/perc, Julain Smedley/vi-vla, Waye Porter/dr, David Friesen/b and Jay Thomas/fh-fh-ts-tp through some shvinging material. Steinitz plays clarinet, bass clarinet and soprano sax, mixing klezmer…