1.2 billion people can’t be wrong… Bassist/composer Shubh Saran mixes Southern Asian harmonics with synth styles on this recent album. There are some beautiful layers with guitar on “Terai 1911” and a tender mix of sax and ax during the…
Month: December 2021
TIMELESS….Eric Clapton: The Lady in the Balcony-Lockdown Sessions
Eric Clapton still continues to speak for his generation, both musically and culturally. Back in February, 2021, his concert at the Royal Albert Hall was cancelled due to the draconian lockdown of the COVID pandemic. Having received a bad reaction…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Nils Landgren Solo: Nature Boy
When the idea of a “solo trombone jazz album” is mentioned, I’m sure your first thought is either “BORING” or “WAY OUT THERE!”. Well, this release by trombonist Nils Landgren may not be for everyone, but it should be, as…
Roseanna Vitro: Sing A Song Of Bird
Literally, the literal side of Charlie Parker is emphasized here by vocalist Roseanna Vitro, as she employs the vocal talents of Sheila Jordan, Marion Coewings and (the late) Bob Dorough to sing the Ornithological songbook. She is supported by two…
Blue Reality Quartet: Blue Reality Quartet!
Composed of a two woodwind front line of Michael Marcus/ts-bcl-bfl and Joe McPhee/ts-ss-acl and a lithe rhythm team of Warren Smith/dr-vib and Jay Rosen/dr-perc, the Blue Reality Q uartet adapts to the COVID lockdown masked and socially distanced in sound…
CLEVER CHARTS…Jon Gordon: Stranger Than Fiction, Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly of Shadows: Architecture of Storms
The pen can be mightier than the horn on these recent releases of sophisticated large ensembles, both put together by inventive alto saxists. Alto saxist and composer Jon Gordon brings together a 9-10 piece group for ten highly rewarding originals…
THE RANGE OF THE GUITAR…Gerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me, dee Brown: Deep Secrets
Six strings sounding off in different settings. Guitarist Gerry Eastman creates a Larry Youngish trio with Greg Lewis/B3 and Taru Alexander/dr on a collection of eight post bop originals. Eastman’s tone is thick and edgy searing through the sharp angles…
Brian Lynch: Songbook Vol 1-Bus Stop Serenade
Throughout his illustrious career, trumpeter and flugelhornist Brian Lynch has carried the classic hard bop torch that was passed on to him from his early employer Horace Silver. This recent album has him in vintage bop quartet form, with Jim…
Adam Nolan Trio: Prim and Primal
Alto saxist Adam Nolan goes inside and out on this trio album with bassist Derek Whyte and drummer Dominic Mullan that ranges from deep bop pockets to trips into the stratosphere. His horn is bright and pungent, going in rapid…
Ilana Katz Katz: In My Mind
Honey toned vocalist and rootsy violinist Ilana Katz Katz mixes swing, bluegrass and blues on this album of mostly originals with a team of Johnny Burgin/g, Stephen Dougherty/dr, Chris Matheos/b and a couple guests. The mood is like a night…