The word “Youchz” is the Swiss phrase for yodeling, and there is a bit of that and more on this multi-lingual, multi-cultural collection of 14 tunes by vocalist Sonja Morganegg, keyboardist/ect John Wolf Brennan and Tony Majdalani, who plays just…
Month: April 2020
FRANK ZAPPA’S “BITCHES BREW”…Frank Zappa: The Hot Rats Rats Sessions 50th Anniversary
As we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beginnings of fusion , it’s fitting that UME has released in a giant 6 disc format a collection of Frank Zappa’s most important album, 1969’s Hot Rats. 1969-70 were the halcyon days…
Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz
Composer and arranger Charles Pillow also supplies woodwinds as he leads a deft mix of jazz and strings in a rich masala mix of tones on this album of originals and jazz standards. Of the latter, the tensile strings combined…
Troy Roberts: Stuff I Heard
Remember those old baseball cards that listed players like Phil Linz on just about every position from shortstop to outfield to catcher? Well, that’s like Troy Roberts, as he plays soprano sax, alto sax and tenor sax as well as…
Enrique Haneine: Unlayered
Drummer and percussionist Enrique Haneine creates exciting post bop sounds with searing front line of Cahterine Sikora/ts-ss, Thomas Heberer/tp and Christof Knoche/bcl as he and bassist Jay Anderson deliver propulsive pulses and paces. The leader’s sticks are nimble as he…
THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON MILES DAVIS…Ahmad Jamal: At The Pershing and Other Live Recordings 1958-59
Still with us and occasionally performing, pianist Ahmad Jamal not only influenced Miles Davis with his concise and spacious finger work, but was a complete original, creating a style that was highly influential, but rarely imitated. These three discs find…
Radha Thomas & Aman Mahajan: Bangalore Blues
Intimate duets by vocalist/composer Radha Thomas and keyboardist/pianist Aman Mahajan are created on this collection of seven thoughtful musings. Thomas’ voice possesses an alluring and secretive whisper, as if she’s letting you in on a secret, sounding like a vagabond…
Herb Silverstein & Michael Ross: Looking Back-Play It Again
Pianist Herb Silverstein joins together with bassist Michael Ross to revisit twenty one, count ‘em, twenty one originals that he’d previously recorded in a quartet setting. I haven’t heard those original sessions, but I don’t miss the extra sidemen, as…
Jacek Kochan & MusiConspiracy: Occupational Hazard
Drummer, composer and arranger Jacek Kochan creates quirky moods and themes with a team that includes the wispy voices of Elizabeth Sheperd (also on piano) and Sari Dajani. The artsy themes are funky with Rasp Soulage’s guitar and Rich Brown’s…
SWING, BOP AND POP FROM AVID…Lester Young: Four Classic Albums, Dinah Washington: Four Classic Albums, Bobby Rydell: Four Classic Albums Plus
Some of the most wonderful sounds you’ll ever hear have recently been released by UK based AVID Records. Give them a listen.. One of the greatest and most influential tenor sax players, Lester Young, is captured at his warmest and…