Tenor saxist Josephine Davis creates a nimble trio with James Maddren/dr and Dave Whitford/b through eight originals. Davis has a gorgeous Lester Young airiness to her tone, and uses it well as she softly floats on the sighing “In the…
Month: January 2019
Manu Lafer: Gimme 5
Modern Brazilian sounds are provided by Manu Later and his exciting team of Toninho Horta, Sandro Albert, Mark Egan, Lionel Cordew, Cliff Almond, Sachal Vassandani, Helio Alves and a large host of others on this Baker’s Dozen originals. Lafer’s voice…
Yuko Yamaoka: Diary 2005-2015
In celebration of Satoko Fujii’s 60th birthday, pianist Yuko Yamaoka has put together on two discs a whopping 118 of her compositions. Obviously, what we’re exposed to are the simple themes and melodies, but the idea works well. The short…
OUT SIDE SOUNDS LOOKING IN…Pat Battstone/Giorgia Santoro: Dream Notes, Vinz Vonlanthen: No Man’s Land, Urs Liembruber/Andreas Willers/Alvin Curran/Fabrizio Spera: Rome-ing, The Balderin Sali: Variations, Lorenzo Feliciati/Michele Rabbia: Antikythera, Francisco Guerri/Su Mimmi Non Si Spara
Two labels specializing in free thinking music, Leo Records and Rare Noise Records, continue to deliver intuitive musical musings Pianist Pat Battstone creates a series of duets with flutist Giorgia Santoro to accompany art work by Daniela Chionna. The material…
BOP IN THE BLOOD…Tete Montuliu Trio: Barcelona Meeting
Pianist Tete Montoliu was a respected Spain-based artist, and although blind was a regular backup for the likes of Roland Kirk, Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Lucky Thompson and Anthony Braxton. This 1988 session has him in the strong…
Daniel Rotem Ensemble featuring John Beasley@The Blue Whale 01.11.19
With two new albums recently released, local tenor saxist Daniel Rotem refuses to sit still. He demonstrated the fertile ground of the local LA jazz scene Friday night by presenting a whole fresh batch of material and a new group…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****OYE!! Julio Gutierrez, Nino Rivera, Jose Fajardo & Cachao: The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions
If you’re like I am, and think that Afro-Cuban sounds was one of the greatest things to happen to jazz, this 5 disc collection of music from Cuban locals from the 50s is simply as smoking hot as a Montecristo.…
VAMPS AT THE MIC…Marlene Dietrich: The Collection 1930-62, Marilyn Monroe: The Collection 1949-62
Yes, there have been some movie stars and sex symbols that could actually sing. While usually known for other virtues, these two ladies prove that you don’t need to just look at them to dream about them as well. Possibly…
Alister Spence & Satoko Fujii: Intelsat
Continuing the celebration of Satoko Fujii’s birthday, the adventurous pianist teams up for a duet album with Alister Spence, who brings his Fender Rhodes, preparations and effects to the foil. The seven pieces are wild and ambitious conversations, an as…
Monika Wall: Earth
Vocalist and songwriter Monika Wall puts together a gentle and folksy six song ep along with Dave Quanbury/g, Murray Pulver/g, Julian Bradford/b, Jonathan Leexiuk/key,Marc Arnould/key, Daniel Roy/d, Richard Gillis/tp and a handful of guests. Her voice is soft and easy…