Like all of the most alluring singers, as well as women, Gabrielle Stravelli shows on this album that less is always more. She demonstrates this with the barest of support bringing in only pianist Michael Kanan and bassist Pat O’Leary…
Month: May 2024
Bill Laurance & Untold Orchestra: Bloom
Best known for his work with Snarky Puppy, pianist Bill Laurance shows another side of his palate on this album of originals teamed with the rich Untold Orchestra. The pieces have a warm and cinematic feel to them, mixing a…
Paco and Pepe de Lucia: Pepito & Paquito
This collection of 21 songs is an intimate recording of vocalist Pepe de Lucia and guitarist Paco de Lucia delving into passionate folk tunes. Not recorded in formal studio, the songs have a home s pun quality to them, almost…
BLUES BREAKERS…FOG Blues and Brass Band: Twelve Bar Prescription
This six song ep by the FOG Blues and Brass Band is a hard hitting and fun session that hits like a middleweight punch. The core team consists of Hills Walter/voc, Tim Palser/g, Al Hosack/b, Domenic Di Nino/dr, Bobby Becker/key,…
Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
Some of the biggest names in progressive rock join in on this album by Billy Sherman, who plays bass, keyboards, guitars and drums throughout. For King Crimson fans, you’ve got drummer Pat Mastelotto on the shadowy “For All to See”…
Ndidi O: Simple Songs For Complicated Times
Vocalist Mdidi O teams up with Steve Dawson/g, Chris Gestrin/key, Sam Howard/b, Gary Craig/dr and a handful of backup vocalists for some rootsy folk tunes. There’s a rural feel to pieces like “Get Gone” and some homespun moods on the…
Greg Chako: Standard Roots
It’s known that the best chefs trust the basic flavors of their recipes, eschewing adding gobs of spices and herbs to cover up one’s insecurities. Similarly, a guitarist like Greg Chako sticks to the timeless tradition of warm tone, classic…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WHEN IT WAS HEP TO BE HIP…Chet Baker & Jack Sheldon: In Perfect Harmony-The Lost Album
Trumpet-wise, there is a nary a thumb width of difference between the two in terms of rich tone and style. Both are in love with melody and clarity, and while the two have similary vocal deliveries, there is no chance…
Adam Forkelid: Turning Point
Pianist Adam Forkelid creates original ideas with his band of Carl M orner Ringstrom/g, Niklas Fernqvist/b and Daniel Fredrikssson/dr on this wide range of his compositions. There’s a rich duet with Ringstrom on the graceful “Fragments” and Forkelid goes dark…
HERSCH HITS ECM…Fred Hersch: Silent, Listening
The Chopin of Jazz, aka Fred Hersch makes his debut on ECM records on a stunning solo performance. He mixes up the collection with some of his own tunes as well as well chosen standards, with a delicate and patient…