I usually love everything that flautist Mark Weinstein puts his name on. This one, with Aruan Ortiz/p, Rashaan Carter/b, Gerald Cleaver/dr and Roman Diaz/per, emphasizes complex and shifting themes along with intricate segues to its detriment. Except for the alluringly…
Author: George W. Harris
Michael Feinberg’s Humblebrag: Live At 800 East
Bassist Michael Feinberg performs “live” in a studio with a post bop team of Godwin Louis/as, Billy Buss/tp, Julian Shore/p and Terreon Gully/dr through six originals. The themes shift between a driving and dramatic “Tutuola” to a New Orleans-grooved “Duckface.”…
Judith Shatin: Time To Burn
Mixing electronic with acoustic music, Judith Shatin features piano, clarinets, percussion, oboe , strings and various electronics on this widely varied collection of what is essentially 21st Century classical music. A four piece “Glyph” consists of eighteen minutes of piano…
Viper Mad Trio: Buddy Bolden’s Blues
Filled with plenty of attitude and fun, the Viper Mad Trio of Molly Reeves/g-v, Ryan Robertson/tp-v and Kellen Garcia/b-v delves into the roots of pre-swing music with a steady two beat bringing you back to the days of Storyville. Reeves…
Elias Haslanger: Live at the Gallery
Elias Haslanger’s got an old school sound on his tenor, evoking audible images of Stanley Turrentine with his hip clipped notes and brawny tone. He’s got the gospel in his soul, even with his band being called “Church on Monday”…
Ben Cassara: Sister Moon
Want a fresh voice in singers with an XY chromosome? Give this guy Ben Cassara a try. His voice gives hints of Barry Manilow and Bob Dorough-a mid toned tenor that sounds comfortable in his skin. He goes a bit…
Gary Schwartz: Lettingo Live-The Music and Influence of Ornette Coleman
Electric guitarist Gary Schwartz gives an exciting tribute to the sounds and attitude of free jazz icon Ornette Coleman on this album of concert music from Montral Quebec in 2011. The twelve piece band features a four piece horn section,…
Mary Kathleen Ernst: Keeping Time
More of a player of modern classical than modern jazz, Julliard-schooled Mary Kathleen Ernstdisplayes dazzling technique on this collection of 20th and 21st century compositions. A 20+ minute “Chai Variations” is the centerpiece and it is a score of complex…
SUN RA RISES AGAIN!!! Tons of Reissues!
Things haven’t been doing too well lately? Cheer up. 21 albums by pianist/keyboardist/composer/arranger/band leader/interplanetary traveler Sun Ra just got reissued! And, a bunch of them have never seen the digital world before. YAY! They are being reissued in three categories.…
Saxophone Summit: Visitation
In more ways than one, saxists Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Ravi Coltrane make up three generations of the influence of John Coltrane. Liebman through Elvin Jones, Lovano through tone and Coltrane through genes. Along with the rhythm team of …