In an era when most “statement albums” are focusing on the darkness, bassist David Friesen uses his Hemage Bass and faith to shine a b right and encouraging light. He teams up with pianist Paul Lees, percussionists Charlie Doggett and…
Month: February 2024
Jim Rotundi: Finesse
Frank Rotondi displays his golden tone on both trumpet and flugelhorn on this album with a jazz rhythm section of Kanny Grissett/p, Karol Hadas/b and Mario Gonzi/dr supported by a jazz orchestra of reeds, brass and strings. What sets this…
Bennie Maupin Plays Jewel In The Lotus@The Ebell of Los Angeles 02.10.24
At the tender age of 83, Bennie Maupin Is one of the last living links to a long list of classic albums, having been a sideman back in the day for Miles Davis (Bitches Brew) Herbie Hancock (Headhunters) Lee Morgan…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LA LEGEND…Buddy Collette: The Classic Albums
While barely known outside of LA, multi-instrumentalist was a local legend. He was the first black to be a member of the previously white-only musicians union, he was a member of the orchestra for the famous Groucho Marx TV show,…
Sullivan Fortner: Solo Game
One of the most in-demand sideman in today’s music scene, pianist Sullivan Fortner is likewise building up an impressive catalogue of his own. His most recent release, his first in a handful of years, has him in solo format for…
Rotem Sivan: Dream Louder
Guitarist Rotem Sivan teams up with Hamish Smith/b, Miguel Russell/dr, Sami Stevens/voc and Luke Krafka/whistle for a mix of creative originals and stylized standards. Of the latter, his acostic strings caress a gentle read of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” while he…
Skip Wilkins Trio: In Morava Na Morave
Pianist Skip Wilkins has his compositions interpreted by his Czech team of Josef Feco/b and Tomas Hobzek/dr along with guest Rostislav Fras/ts for a few tracks. In quartet mode, the team is dainty with Fras fluffy on the two takes…
Marcus Rezak: Guitar Head
Guitarist and singer Marcus Rezak teams up with Adriam Tramontano/dr, Chris DeAngelis/b, Ray Paczkowski/org and Eric Lawrence/horns for a mix of blues rockers that swing. There’s a feel of boogie groups like Black Oak ARkanss on pieces like “Sweet Like…
FREE VIBES…Sergio Armaroli: Density For Solo Vibraphone(s), Sergio Armaroli-Giancarlo Schiafini-Hari Sjostrom: More Duos and Trios
One of the few labels that still has an identifiable sound, Leo Record brings form the free vibes of Sergio Armaroli in two settings. The first is a trio of solo vibe performances, a three part “Density” suite lasting 43…
LADY TROUBADOURS…Anandi: A Better Way, Sofia Rubina: I Am Soul
Singer/songwriter Anandi sing and plays guitar alongside Greg Goebel, who plays just about everything else on this modern collection of minstrel tunes. The heartfelt messages range froum an earnest “Mandela” with warm keyboards to a thoughtful “A Better Way” with…