With music composed by Ezra Weiss, lyrics by S. Renee Mitchell and vocals by Marilyn Keller, the Portland Jazz Composer’s Ensemble provides artsy and fresh sounds with its 12 member team. The band has a pretty big sound with some…
Month: November 2018
SOME ARE BORN TO HIPNESS, SOME HAVE HIPNESS CAST ON THEM…Ben Sidran: Ben There, Done That
One of the last living jazz beatniks, Ben Sidran is richly anthologized on this wonderful 3 disc set that includes “live” music from 1975 up to 2009. Sort of like a musical Mort Sahl, Sidran is the ultimate insider, delivering…
MOVE OVER, NAT…John Legend: A Legendary Christmas
Just by glancing at the posed photos on the album cover and liner notes, it’s easy to see that John Legend is becoming the Nat “King” Cole of his generation. He’s able to glide between worlds of musical cognoscenti as…
Ann Hampton Callaway: Jazz Goes to the Movies
Perpetually inspiring in tone and underrated for her delivery, Ann Hampton Callaway delivers yet another strong, swinging and freshly directed collection of standards, this time focused on themes from the silver screen. She’s supported by the strong accompaniment of Ted…
Putumayo Presents: Joy to the World-A Christmas Celebration
Just as Christianity is a faith for the world, so is Christmas celebrated on this disc from all continents. Most clever is a mix of Burkina Faso groove with Italian lyrics on “Astro Del Ciel” and a fun Cajun-mooded “Christmas…
Popa Chubby: Prime Cuts
Offering 28 of handpicked tunes from his past 28 years, the stout Popa Chubby shows his beefy prime cuts on this collection made to by played “Loud…often..and always.” Chubby plays guitar with a vengeance and growls out the vocals on…
THEIR BEST BLUES ALBUM? Rolling Stones: Beggars Banquet 50th Anniversary
People seem to endlessly argue which is the “best” Rolling Stones album. It’s hard to disagree that this one from 1968, and the last one with the original band including Brian Jones, is their bluesiest, if not only their most…
Old Riley and the Water: Biting Through
Guitarist/vocalist Sean Riley gets roots with trio partners Ray Micarelli/d, Andrew Landry and guest Joshua Cook/g-voc on this concise collection of bluesy originals. He teams up with the earthy harmonica of Scott Craver to create fuzzy textures on the rockabilly…
NEW SOUNDS FROM WALTER SMITH III…In Common: In Common, Walter Smith III-Bill Stewart: Band Menu
One of the more important tenor saxists of this generation is Walter Smith III. Through the years, his sound has evolved to become a warm fog, almost akin to a Millennial and post bop Lester Young. Here are two of…
Christian McBride: New Jawn
Now an elder statesman of the bass, Christian McBride searches for new lands to conquer, and he finds them with the wild and loose team of Josh Evans/tp, Marcus Strickland/ts-bcl and Nasheet Waits/dr. Usually known for bands that are deep…