A rich mix of duets between Hans Teuber/ts-as-fl and bassist Jeff Johnson make for a rich of space and lyricism. The collection of originals and standards keeps the interest level high, as the team’s “Hopi Dream” is a gorgeously wide…
Month: June 2018
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble: Atwood Suites
This two disc set has George Schuller and Andrew Rathbun producing a rich collection of the leader’s material, which is modern, rich and accessible. A mix of music and poetry by Margaret Atwood make for a delightful and ambitious listen.…
Trumpets and Basses?!!: Sanctuary…
Advertised as “9 valves and 12 strings of fun!!!” the horns of Danny Couker, Jake Henry & Kenny Warren team up with bassists Adam Hopkins, Will McEvoy & Zach Swanson for an 11 song summit meeting. Strings are bowed, tapped…
Kiran Ahluwalia: 7 Billion
Indian vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia mixes American and South Asian sounds while singing) in her own dialect. Produced by Rez Abbassi (who also supplies guitar work), the album brings together Indian harmonics and instruments in an accessible to Western ears concept,…
THE MALTESE FALCON OF JAZZ: Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Fats Waller, etc: The Savory Collection 1935-1940
“What is this?” “What dreams are made of. Humphrey Bogart, The Maltese Falcon One of the aspects of jazz that attracted me to it the most was that it offered a way to time travel. Just by putting on a…
VOICES OF CREATIVITY…Cathy Segal-Garcia: The Jazz Chamber, Jamie Shew: Eyes Wide Open, Tiffany Austin: Unbroken
If you think female vocalists just rehash the Great American Songbook, these three releases will make you re-evaluate your prejudices. LA-based Cathy Segal-Garcia brings her flexible and warm voice to meld with the sepia tones of a chamber ensemble on…
THE TAPROOT OF TEDESCHI-TRUCKS…The Allman Brothers Band: Cream of the Crop 2003
The venerable Allman Brothers band was at one of its creative peaks in 2003 when these concert recordings were made in theatres throughout the east, south and Midwest. This 4 disc album, dedicated to the dearly departed Greg Allman, has…
HARD BOP FROM PARIS…H.U.M! Live at Club St-Germain-Des-Pres
H.U.M. is the name of the swinging 1960’s trio Daniel Humair/dr, Rene’ Urtreger/p and famed Pierre Michelot/b. During De Gaulle’s years as Prime Minister, jazz was in the air, and it was hopping, with this trio caught in concert and…
Adrean Farrugia & Joel Frahm: Blued Dharma
Piano/sax duos are one of the under-appreciated gems of the jazz scene. With Joel Frahm on either soprano or tenor sax, pianist Adrean Farrugia teams up for rich conversations, improvisations and musical excursions on this collection of jazz sonatas. Farrugia’s…
THE BELLE OF THE BALL…Keely Smith: The Keely Smith Collection: 1949-62
This 3 disc set hopefully sets the record straight on the strength and versatility of vocalist Keely Smith’s career. Recently departed, she never seemed to be considered in the top echelon of vocalists like Holiday, Fitzgerald or Vaughn, nor in…