Tenor saxist Asaf Yuria captures the sounds and spirit of John Coltrane circa Blue Train on this album with a similarly instrumented team of Josh Evans/tp, Jonathan Voltzok/tb, Jeremy Mansaia/p, Ben Meigners/b and Jason Brown/dr. Yuria’s sound is big, bold,…
Month: February 2022
60S LATIN POP…Trini Lopez: Rare Reprise Singles
Back in the 1960s one of the biggest stars in pop music was Trini Lopez, who had a couple monster hits with “Lemon Tree” and “Pretty Eyes”. His star rose so high that he also got a couple movie roles,…
WOMEN AT THE MIC…Adrianne Duncan: Gemini, Alyssa Giammaria: Moments
Soft sounds from gentle ladies… Adrianne Duncan plays piano and sings in a rich bohemian style with her team of Nick Mancini/vib, Dan Lutz/b, Jimmy Branly/dr, John Tegmeyer/cl and Katisse Buckingham/fl-ts on a collection of mostly originals. The sole cover…
LOOSE TIES…Quartet Exquis: Da Multiplicadad do Vacuo, Sara Schoenbeck: Sara Schoenbeck
High on the improv side of life… In the liner notes, the question is asked “What happens when musicians improvise without knowing what the others are playing?”. They to differ that the result is chaos, but these seven “songs” state…
Nina Simone and Her Friends: An Intimate Variety of Vocal Charm
This reissue of the 1960 Bethlehem album from Nina Simone is unique in that Ms. Simone is only featured on a third of the recordings, sharing the spotlight with other vocalists from the label, namely Chris Connor and Carmen McRae.…
Wild Blue Herons: You & I
The duo of pianist Bill Sample and vocalist Darlene Cooper create cozy and casual recitations of standards on this relaxed album. Cooper sings like she’s world wise, breathy and personal on “I Wish I’d Met You” and reclines over Samples…
Regina Bonelli: Truth Hurts
Singer and keyboardist Regina Bonelli sings like a lady not to be messed with on this road rage collection of blues rockers. She’s backed by a swampy cast of Tomas Doncker/g, Mark Henry/sax, Kevin Jenkins/b, James Dellatocama/g, Nick Rolfe/key, Leroy…
Garry Dial and Jay Anderson: Living A Dream We’re Not In
Reflective and pensive originals by pianist Garry Dial and bassist Jay Anderson create a tapestry of thick and earthly tones on this collection of originals. The overall mood is subdued, which does not get in the way of rich lyricism…
Cecilia Sanchietti: Postcard From Gamla Stan
Drummer Cecilia Sanchietti leads a team of Anna Lundqvist/voc, Linus Lindblom/ts-ecl, Simon Westman/p and Josef Kallerdahl/b through a collection or fragrant originals. What has this album stand out is the use of Lundqvist’s ethereal voice as an extra instrument, haunting…
Raul E Blanco & Jazz Wires: Brutal Fairytale
Exciting Afro Cuban ideas are explored by leader Raul E Blanco, who plays piano and percussion while singing a bit with his team of Brandt Fisher/ts, Noah Austin/tp, Gabriella Aragon/tb-voc, Joseph Ballestrasse/b and Anthony Channita/dr through a dozen riveting originals.…