Richard X Bennett gets pensive and personal as he plays 17 of his own composition with the spartan sounds of piano, melodica and “sound design” (more on that later). The concise pieces mix delicate sparkles and dashes as on “Transparent…
Month: June 2018
Fred Farell: Distant Song
Rich toned vocalist Fred Farell comes up with the creative idea of mixing voice to the songbook of post-bop legend Dave Liebman. The trio of Farell with Liebman, along with Liebman’s long time associate Richie Beirach/p is both an intimate…
SO, EIGHT BEATS GO INTO THIS BAR…Willie Jackson Blues TYB, John Clifton: Nightlife
One of America’s greatest contributions to Western Civilization has to be the blues and the boogie shuffle. Here are two recent wonderful displays. Willie Jackson’s Tybee Blues band of Jon Willis/b, Dillon Young/g, Paxton Eugene/dr and Ace Anderson/harp deliver 6…
The Jamie Baum Septet+: Bridges
Jamie Baum brings her flute and composing skills to team with a South Asian sounding team of Amir Elsaffar/tp, Sam Sadigussky/as-bcl, Chris Komer/fh, Brad Shepik/g, John Escreet/p, Zack Lober/b, Jeff Hirshfield/dr and guests Jamey Haddad-Navin Chettri/perc for a collection of…
HIS MUSIC AS BLACK AS NIGHT…Hugh Masekela: Masekela ’66-76
At one time, Hugh Masekela (who died in January) was the most popular trumpet player in the world, almost single-handedly creating what is now called “World Music” back in the 1960s. Born in South Africa, his music mixed traditional sounds…
21ST CENTURY CRIMSON MAN…King Crimson: Live in Vienna
Captured during a 2016 concert in Vienna, the venerable prog rock band King Crimson shows that it is one of the few bands of the 60s that has aged like a wine, sounding richer and fuller than ever. Founding genius…
Joshua Redman: Still Dreaming
Joshua Redman creates a spacious quartet with Ron Miles/tp, Brian Blade/dr and Scott Colley/dr with an emphasis on intuitive communication. There are audible hints of vintage Ornette Coleman with Don Cherry here, but with a hint of a modern touch…
The Lucky Losers: Blind Spot
The lead vocals provided by the earthy Cathy Lemons and street wise Phil Berkowitz create a juke joint atmosphere on this rootsy album with Ian Lamson/g, Chris Burns/key, Endre Tarczy/b, Robi Bean/dr and a collection of guests including Kid Anderson/g-perc-etc.…
Joachim Kuhn New Trio: Love & Peace
Pianist Joachim Kuhn’s New Trio with Chris Jennings/b and Eric Schaefer/dr mix some clever covers to balance their creative originals. Kuhn’s touch is warm and clear, impressionistic and relaxed on his melodic title track, expressionistic and searching as Schaefer clip…
YARDBIRDS SHADOWS…Joe Bonamassa: British Blues Explosion Live
Like Alexander the Great, Joe Bonamassa endlessly searches for new musical worlds to conquer. This time out, he gives his laser focus to the British Blues Invasion, exemplified by the Mount Rushmore team of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy…