Somewhere along the way, jazz lost the art of creating an environment for singer/songwriters. Even rare is when the artist is female, so Claudia Koval is breaking down a couple barriers on this impressive album, her second. Her first good…
Month: October 2019
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL…Bill Frisell: Harmony
Although (or maybe it’s because) Bill Frisell’s early days have had him playing with chopmasters like Mike Stern and John Scofield, he’s always emphasized a search for tone and visceral moods rather than technique. Consequently, he’s delivered albums ranging from…
Send I A Lion: A Nighthawk Reggae Joint
This single disc compilations is a reggae Whitman’s Sampler of twenty bite sized classics from a collection of various artists from the Nighthawk catalog. Amharic moods from Gladiators and Ethiopian and His All Stars are delivered here in the form…
Jason James: Seems Like Tears Ago
If you’re idea of “real” country music is not twangy aging rock artists, but real clean two stepping sounds like Don Gibson or Ray Price, then Jason James is your man. He’s got a easy avuncular voice, and with Cody…
John Yao’s Triceratops: How We Do
Trombonist John Yao leads a loose fitting quintet that flexes between Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey. The team of Billy Drewes/ss-as, Jon Irabagon/ts, Peter brendler/b and Mark Ferber weave inside and outside with Yao as they slither around on the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Eric Legnini: Six Strings Under
Belgian pianist put together a hip little team sans drummer that swings light and smooth. Joined together are Legnini alongside guitarists Rocky Gresset and Hugo Lippi with Thomas Bramerie holding down the pulse with the bass. The quartet shows its…
New York Voices: Reminiscing In Tempo
Taking the mantle of The Manhattan Transfer to the next level, the team of Peter Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader and Kim Nazarian mix rich harmonies, vocalese and strong soloing in a wide range of jazz colors and palates.…
Richard Valitutto & Dave Wilson: Slant
A mix of spontaneity and melody is created by tenor saxist Dave Wilson teaming up with pianist Richard Valitutto on this collection of ten originals. Wilson has a vintage thick and breathy sound, using it most cleverly on a contrasting…
Georgia Weber and the Sleeved Hearts: Keeping It Real
Australian bassist/vocalist Georgia Weber leads a trio with guitarist Kenji Herbert and drummer Nathan Ellman Bell through fourteen originals that meld between folk, indie and jazz. She shows her feel for the bass on a wondrous “Interlude” and a nicely…
MODERN LATIN…Julio Botti: Jazz Tango Fusion, Pablo Ziegler Chamber Quartet: Radiotango
One of the most seismic shifts in Latin Music was produced by the pen and bandoneon of Astor Piazzolla. These two albums take his compositions and inspiration to heart. Julio Botti plays tenor and soprano sax with a team of…