The current generation of bands likes to mix the freedom of earlier eras with sophisticated charts and textures. Here are a pair of releases that show the mix of grey matter and post bop sounds. The team of Sam Neufeld/tp,…
Month: May 2018
Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra: Without A Trace
Fresh big band charts and deliveries are produced by composer/conductor Scott Reeves as he leads a team that includes all stars Steve Wilson/ss-as-fl and Carolyn Leonhart/voc. The vocalist is featured on a lithe and brassy title track, as Wilson gives…
Roch Lockyer: When Frank Met Django
The title of this album due to guitarist/vocalist Roch Lockyer taking a handful of songs associated with Frank Sinatra and putting them in a Django Reinhardt mood. A couple of tunes are instrumentals, the cozy “Musings/Improve #1” and the droplet…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Akira Tana: JAZZaNOVA
I’m just a sucker for Brazilian jazz; always have been since first discovering the classic Getz/Gilberto albums, and always will. This album has drummer Akira Tana mixing and matching some of the best Brazilian sounds, songs, composers, artists and vocalists,…
WHEN ROCK STILL SWUNG…Roy Orbison: The Complete Sun, RCA & Monument Releases 1956-62, Buddy Holly & The Crickets: The Complete US & UK Singles As & Bs 1956-62
Though largely forgotten these days, one of the best eras of rock and roll was during its nascent days when it imbibed deeply from the waters of swing. Originally called “rockabilly” it went through various incarnations, and is still with…
Emilio Teubal Trio: Memorias De Otro Tiempo
Argentine composer/pianist Emilio Teubal forms a creative trio with Federico Diaz/g and Ivan Barenboim/cl-bcl on this ebullient collection of South American moods. Teubal’s touch is like a dancer, prancing along the floor during a sensuous solo of “Playing” while sauntering…
Fernando Garcia: Guasabara Puerto Rico
Drummer Fernando Garcia mixes the world of jazz with traditional Puerto Rican rhythms called “bomba” on this fragrant album. His team of Dan Martinez/b, Gabriel/p, Gabriel Vicens/g, JanKus/gs and Victor Pablo/perc create volcanic waves of energy that rise and ebb…
Patrick Coman: Tree of Life
Singer/songwriter Patrick Coman delivers a rootsy album of mostly originals with Peter Parcek/g, Marco Giovino/dr, Neal Pawley/b-st-g-mand-etc and Joe Klompus/b. He’s got a barroom brawling voice as the band boogies with a B3 on “Don’t Reach” while a NO is…
Noshir Mody: A Burgeoning Consciousness
Guitarist/composer Noshir Mody brings together Hankle/tp-fh, Campbell Charshee/p, John Lenis/b and Yutaka Uchida/dr on 6 pieces that stretch out in mood and themes. Mody’s guitar has a John Scofield-sounding tension to it, working well with the loose horns as Mullan’s…
Sharel Cassity & Elektra: Evolve
Soulful smooth sounds are emitted by Sharel Cassity, who plays soprano, alto and tenor sax as well as flute along with a core team of Mark Whitfield/g, Miki Hayama/key, Linda Oh/b Jonathan Barber-Lucianna Padmore/dr and a collection of guests. On…