Guitarist and composer Blake Aaron delivers a modern mix of jazz and smooth R&B on this upbeat collection of mostly originals. The one cover is a tropical and fun read of Stevie Wonder’s hit “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”…
Month: November 2020
Joachim Mencel: Brooklyn Eye
Playing both piano and hurdy-gurdy, Joachim Mencel creates a wide variety of atmospheres with his post bop team of guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Rudy Royston. Colley and Royston are most flexible here, creating a circle dance…
Mark Murphy: Hiding Place
Relaxed and understated moods are painted by Mark Murphy, as he creates landscapes with Jon Cowherd/p-key, Jeff Ballard/dr, Gilad Hekselman/g, Dayna Stephens/saxes and Alexa Barchini/voc. Murphy comes across like a modern read of Kenny Rankin, reassuring with Stephens’ breathy tenor…
Markus Rutz: Blueprints-Figure Two: New Designs
Markus Rutz displays the benefits of a warm horn in a mix of settings with Brice Winston on tenor/soprano sax, pianist Adrian Rutz, guitarist Matt Gold, Marcos Valera on bass and switching between drummers Xavier Breaker or Marcus Garcia, replacing…
Scenes: Trapeze
The team of tenor saxist Rick Mandyck, guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop create sounds akin to vintage ECM sessions on this cool toned collection of mostly instrumentals. Stowell has a tone and approach similar to…
The Claire Daly Band: Rah! Rah!
I’m not sure why it took 12 years for this album by Claire Daly to get released, but it sure is a timeless treat. She plays a rich and dark 80% chocolate (‘straight’) baritone sax as well as a frothy…
COME TOGETHER….Joe Bonamassa: Royal Tea
Joe Bonamassa loves every aspect of the guitar, including its rich history. This musical trek has most recently taken him to the historic Abbey Road recording studio, with Joe B even walking the famous cross walk on the Beatles’ famed…
THE WHITE BILLIE HOLIDAY?…Peggy Lee: The Centenary Singles Collection 1945-62, The Centenary Albums Collection: 1948-62
She has never failed me. Every time I do a “Blindfold Test” for a friend, and play a Peggy Lee song from the 40s, their first guess is ALWAYS “Billie Holiday”. Without a doubt, Peggy Lee is the most overlooked…
JUMPIN’ THE BLUES…Louis Jordan: The Louis Jordan Collection 1951-1958
When you talk about the birth of rock and roll, R&B or even rap, you’ve got to include alto saxist and singer Louis Jordan into the conversation. Throughout the 1940s and 60s, Jordan’s mix of rhythm, swing and humor influenced…
BLUES AND GOSPEL FROM AVID…John Lee Hooker: Four Classic Albums, Various Artists Sings Gospel: Five Classic Albums
Souls are stirred in and out of church for the next set of reissues by Avid… One of the most influential of blues singers and guitarists, John Lee Hooker is in vintage form on these four albums. 1960 records him…