The great things about re-issues like this four disc set is that, like Old Testament prophets, they remind you of w hat the standard is, and how far off the mark today’s generation is. Gerry Mulligan was not only the…
Month: January 2022
RARE NOISE FROM RARE NOISE…Red Kite: Apohenian Bliss, Mike Pride: I Hate Work
Two new releases from the always adventurous label Rare Noise… The team of Even Helte Hermansen/barg, Trond Frones/b, Bernt Andre Moen/key and Torstein Lofthus/dr wail, flail and sail through a six head banging originals. Frones leads the trudge on “Apophenia”,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dave Stryker: As We Are
Best known as a master of the organ-driven groove, guitarist Dave Stryker discovers new territories, as he brings in a rich string quartet to add textures to his post bop team of Julian Shore/p, John Patitucci/b and Brian Blade/dr, the…
Avataar: Worldview
Comprised of Sundar Viswanathan/as-ss-bansur-voc, Felicity Williams/voc, Michael Occhipinti/eg, Justin Gray/eb, Ravi Naimpally/perc-tab, Max Senitt/dr and guests Aaron Lightsone/oud and Toddy Pentney/key, the band Avataar brings in rich soundscapes reminiscent of vintage Pat Metheny but with the addition of South Asian…
Nicole Henry: Time To Love Again
There aren’t a lot of jazz vocalists like Nicole Henry around anymore. Not one to use drama or gratuitous dynamics, her comfort zone is soulful and soft moods, letting her voice’s tone do all the work, and it works well.…
THE HARDEST SWINGING TRIO…Gene Harris & The Three Sounds: The Ultimate Blue Note Collection
I only saw pianist Eddie Harris one time in concert, never hearing his albums with The Three Sounds before, and after the show, my only thought was “How did I ever miss this guy’s recordings?” His perfect mix of jazz,…
Angel Roman & Mambo Blue: Festive Interplay
Bassist Angel Roman leads a cheerful and festive Latin team that includes a five piece horn section, piano, bass, and plenty of drums, drums, drums and percussion, percussion, percussion. The sizzling grooves get you on your feet along with the…
Steve Goodman: The Best of Steve Goodman
Back in the 70s, the music was filled with clever singer/songwriters like Steve Goodman. Like wry observers of life like Loudon Wainwright and John Prine, Goodman wrote and sang with clarity, sincerity and humor, with this “Best Of” being a…
Philippe Cote/Marc Copland: Bell Tolls Variations/Fleur Revisited
There is a collection of poems included in the liner notes of this album that includes co-leaders Marc Copland/p and Philippe Cote/ss-bcl. They bring in the Quatuor Saguenay string quartet for music that is inspired by both Greek Mythology and…
NRBQ: Dragnet
The venerable and versatile band NRBQ, now consisting of Casey McDonough/b-voc, Terry Adams/key-voc, John Perrin/dr and Scott Ligon/g release their first album in about 5 years, mixing all of their strengths that have kept them together (on and off) for…