Bassist Lello Molinari brings sounds from the Italian piazza into a jazz setting on this higly satisfying set with Dino Govoni/sax-EWI, Sal DiFusco/g, Marcello Pellitteri/dr and guest Meeny Muthy/vi. The team swings like a sopresata on a string with Govani’s…
Month: March 2018
Simon Phillips: Protocol 4
Drummer Simon Phillips shows various colors of his musical prism on this most recent Protocol album with Greg Howe/g, Ernest Tibbs/b and Dennis Hamm/key. He’s been behind the traps for bands ranging from Jeff Beck to Hiromi, Eno and of…
Karen Souza: Velvet Vault
Vocalist Karen Souza uses her own pen, and some intriguing interpretations to create a dark shadowed album. Her voice ranges between sub-toned wisps and almost electronically toned coos, delivering a cozy cabaret’d take of Duke Ellington’s “I’m Beginning to See…
ASIAN TEXTURES…Sameer Gupta: A Circle Has No Beginning, Justin Gray & Synthesis: New Horizons
Similar to the Bossa Nova influence during the 50s and 60s, harmonies and percussion from India and surrounding areas has permeated the present world of jazz, with stimulating results. Here are a pair of the most recent forays. – Sameer…
FOXY! Jimi Hendrix: Both Sides of the Sky
I’m not sure which is most impressive, the collection of previously unreleased Hendrix material that Experience Hendrix has been putting out the past few years, or the photos that are in the liner notes accompanying the fantastic and revelatory sounds.…
Norma Winstone: Descansado-Songs for Films
When it comes to selecting songs from films, vocalist Norma Winstone is not going to be the type to pick from Sound of Music or Guys and Dolls. Her adventurous heart picks more abstract material, and uses the flexible team…
VOICES IN VARIOUS ENVIRONS…Joanne Tatham: The Rings of Saturn, Sundae & Mr. Goessl: When You’re Smiling, Pauline Frechette: Colors of My Heart
Clear-voiced Joanne Tatham teams up with some of LA’s finest in Max Haymer/p, Lyman Medeiros/b, Larry Koonse-Marcel Camargo/, Bob Sheppard/sax, Brian Swartz/tp, Kevin Winard/perc and Dan Schnelle/dr on a mix of jazz standards and creative newer pieces. She’s warm and…
OKB Trio: The Ing…
The piano trio of Oscar Perez/p, Kuriko Tsugawa/b and Brian Woodruff/dr deliver a classy collection of originals on this release. Perez has an Errol Garner-like richness as he dances over Woodruff’s brushes on a joyful take of “I’m Gonna Sit…
The Bad Plus: Never Stop II
With founding pianist Ethan Iverson moving on, Orrin Evans comes in to complete the trio with Reid Anderson/b and Dave King/dr, and the band seems to have more of a traditional jazz feel. Oh, there’s still moments of Millennial quirkiness,…
STILL PICKIN’ AND GRINNIN’…Duck Baker: Duck Baker Plays Monk
One of the most creative fingerpickers, Duck Baker, has made albums that range from blues, gospel, ragtime, no time and Christmastime. His most recent is a vinyl delight, exploring the Thelonious Monk songbook, and it’s both a hoot and a…