This two disc set by the Afro Semitic Experience can easily be divided into tribes, both united by a call to God and cry for freedom. The first cd by jWarren Byrd/p-voc, David Chevan/b-voc, Saskia Laroo/tp-el-voc, Will Bartlett/cl-ts-voc, Alvin Carter…
Month: March 2024
Kirsten Edkins@The Baked Potato 03.18.24
Well, you may have heard in the news that there was a fire at The Baked Potato late Monday night. Contrary to rumor, the fire had nothing to do with the smoking hot set put aflame by saxist Kirsten Edkins…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK/MONTH/DECADE?****Sonny Rollins: Freedom Weaver-The 1959 European Tour Recordings
WOW WOW WOW SHAM WOW. If you have had any doubt that Sonny Rollins is the premier tenor saxist of the past two generations, this three disc set will set you straight. Yes, much of this material has been available…
Roddy Ellias: Moon Over Lake
Lovely pastoral moods are created by Canadian solo guitarist Roddy Ellias on his most recent released. While doing many recordings in a small group atmosphere, Ellias steps back and goes acoustic, taking you to his back porch on these water…
CLASSY VINTAGE TRIOS…The Gerald Wiggins Trio: Modern Jazz Renditions By The Gerald Wiggins Trio, Presenting: John Gamba/Claude Williamson
Fresh Sound Records continues to uncover overlooked gems from the mines of recordings from the 1950s and 60s. Here are a pair from swinging trios that you may never knew even existed. Dig in, and dig! One of Los Angeles’…
Sangalang/Fellis/Menk/Turner/Barriles: IRIS
Warm harmonies and solos by tenor saxist Arman Sangalan and trombonist Kirby Fellis dominate this co-op album of mostly band written tunes. Don’t get me wrong, pianist Austyn Menk, bassist Morgan Turner and drummer Paul Barrilles are integral part of…
VINYL REVIVAL…Harold Land: The Fox
The renaissance of vinyl reissues continues with this Desert Island Disc of West Coast saxist Harold Land. He made his name as part of Clifford Brown’s Quintet in the 1950s,but spent most of his time in California, so most jazz…
REED RAPTURE PLUS 1…PRISM Quartet: Heritage/Evolution Volume 3
The classically attuned sax ensemble PRISM Quartet breaks new ground with this recent release that brings in a handful of modern jazz guests for some extra spice and flavor. The PRISM team of Timothy McAllister/ss, Taimur Sullivan/bari, Matthew Levy/ts and…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Heavenly Cream: An Acoustic Tribute To Cream
The 1960s band Cream, made up of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, straddled the high wire of balancing blues, jazz and rock, creating a legion of fans of the latter. Their small catalogue is still in demand, with…
Nikos Chatzitsakos; Tiny Big Band 2
Bassist and leader Nikos Chatzitsakos brings together a swinging unit that focuses on rich charts and melodic solos. Half of the tunes have vocals, with Alexandreia Dewalt “Expressive around the warm horns on ‘Get Out Of Town” and bopping like…