This release is going to get your attention The title track is a commission by the Hilliard Ensemble, well known for adventurous classic music, performed in concert in Brucknerhaus Linz back in 2003, and the remaining tracks are from a…
Author: George W. Harris
Robin McKelle & The Flytones: Soul Flower
Here’s a lady on a digital only release that sounds like a throwback to the folk-soul of a Bonnie Raitt. Robin McKelle’s got a rich and heartfelt voice, and frames it with a band that’s got some kickin’ boots on.…
Steve Swallow Quintet: Into the Woodwork
Bassist Steve Swallow puts together a cleverly devised quintet here. Instead of the usual piano that he’s so often teamed with, he shifts Carla Bley over to the organ, and it works smokily well with Chris Cheek/ts, Steve Cardenas/g and…
IF YOU LIKE JANE MONHEIT…Abigail Riccards: Every Little Star
How do I know you’ll like vocalist Abigail Riccards if you’re a fan of Ms Monheit? Well, she produced this disc, for one thing! Also, her own arranger and pianist Michael Kanan as well as bassist Neal Miner are the…
Chick Corea: The Vigil
Here’s Chick Corea’s first collection of entirely new material in quite awhile, and It shows just about every facet of the multi-hued Mad Hatter. Corea himself mixes it up with acoustic and electric here, with some wonderfully intimate fingering on…
HARD BOP HEAVEN…Blue Mitchell & Junior Cook: Quintet Sessions, The Modern Jazz Disciples: Complete Recordings
Few sounds this side of heaven are as wonderful as those delivered by what is called the “Classic Hard Bop Quintet.” Usually consisting of a front line of trumpet and tenor sax along with piano, bass and drums, this simple…
EDDIE HENDERSON: FOR ALL WE KNOW
When you see a musician play on stage, don’t you wonder to yourself, “he makes it look so easy!” How does an artist get to that level? Inherent talent? There are volumes of talented musicians who never cut the mustard.…
THREE TENORS…JD Allen: Grace, Eric Alexander: Touching, Jerry Bergonzi: By Any Other Name
Here are three representatives of the tenor sax that is approached in a modern way. Take your pick! JD Allen has released seven previous discs as a leader, and this one sounds like it’s most personal. He’s got a tone…
Harvie S with Kenny Barron: Witchcraft
Do you want to know what class sounds like? Give this session a listen. Bassist Harvie S hires the velvety hands of Kenny Barron for a sublime collection of duets. Sure, it’s Harvie’s gig, but try telling that to the…
EXOTIC STRINGS…Kayhan Kalhor/Erdal Erzincan: Kula Kulluk Yakisir Mi, Stefano Bollani, Hamilton de Holanda: O Que Sera.
Here are some string players from far away places, bringing traditional sounds melded with modern thoughts. Middle Easterners Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan perform on this album at a concert in Turkey back in 2011. Instruments like the kamancheh (a…