Saxist and vocalist Elena Maque comes off leading a double life on this album with all stars Scott Kinsey/key, Hadrien Feraud-Michael Glynn-Logan Kane/b, Gary Novak-D’Vonne Lewis/dr, Leonardo Amuedo/g, Brad Dutz/perc, Katisse/fl, Alexey Nikolaev/ts, Darin Clendenin/p and the Seattle String Quartet.…
Month: December 2021
Marcus Rezak: Truth In Sound
Guitarist and vocalist Marcus Rezak teams together with a core of Ray Paczkowski/key, Russ Lawton/dr Tony Markellis/b and some gutests for a four song ep that sounds like vintage 70 rock. With a humming organ, the team blueses out “Light…
Mads Mathias: I’m All Ears
A pleasant and hip mix of crooning, jazz and modern pop is delivered by tenor saxist and Jamie Cullum-inspired vocalist Mads Mathias on this inviting collection of originals. He has a core team of Peter Rosendal/p, Morten Ankarfeldt/b and Jmes…
R&B DUO AND SOLO…Mickey and Sylvia: The Singles & Albums Collection 1952-62
During the heyday of R&B, which eventually evolved into what became either “soul” or “rock and roll”, one of the unique groups was the guy/girl duet of guitar teacher Mickey Baker and student Sylvia Vanterpool. They became known simply as…
Lionel Loueke: Close Your Eyes
With his West African toned guitar and percussive vocals, Lionel Loueke takes on jazz standards in a not-so-standard fashion in trio fashion with Reuben Rogers/b and Eric Harland/dr. As would probably be expected, he seems most comfortable interpreting Monk tunes,…
The Old No. 5s: Moment To Lose
Consisting of Brock Alexander/voc-g-key, Adam Watson/b-voc, Adam Watson/perc-voc, Taylor Smith/g, Howard Mahan/g and TJ Erhardt/key, the band The Old No. 5s deliver a rich mix of Allman Brothers-styled southern drawl’d blues rock with some 70s steady beats. The dark guitars…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Eliane Elias (with Chick Corea and Chucho Valdes): Mirror Mirror
Someday, and hopefully soon, jazz fans will appreciate the width, height and depth of pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias. Obviously, jazz musicians do, as this latest album has her in a collection of wondrous duets with either the recently departed Chick Corea…
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown and the Global Big Band: Open World
Tenor saxist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown fronts a 17+ member Global Big Band and some ringer guests through some beefed up arrangements of jazz standards. CLB’s own tenor is big and beefy, teaming up with bright tone trumpeter Arturo Sandoval in a…
The Scenic Route Trio: Flight of Life
Consisting of Javier Santiago/p, Ollie Dudek/b and Genius Wesley/dr (I want that first name!), the Scenic Route Trio provides classic sounding bop, post bop and bebop with joy and ferver. Santiago taps into his inner Bud Powell with a hard…
Ari Joshua: RAAR
If you like your music sounding like you’re in a hip club, then take an ear to this ep by Ari Joshua. The Cape Town, South African born singer/guitarist takes his lessons learned from teaming with the likes of Robert…