Pianist/keyboardist Melvin Johnson creates a collective of artist that mix and match ideas and environments. The music itself is introduced as a spoken and heartfelt dedication to his father, while close to the end he gives a talk to and…
Author: George W. Harris
Kevin Toney: Jazz Legacy
The complete title of this album is actually An Evening With Kevin Toney and Friends, as it was (mostly) recorded from a night at the North Cost Repertory Theater in Solano Beach California. Pianist Kevin Toney gives a recital of rich interpretations…
The Verve Jazz Ensemble: All In
Vintage hard bop and modal ideas are brought out by the swinging team of Josh Feldspein/dr, Taburn Greenblabb/tp, Alexa Tarantino/as-fl, Wille Applewhibe/tb, Jon Blanck/ts, Mabb Oesbrelcher/p-g and Ellas Bailey/b. The album consists of a couple originals joined together with various…
BOOK ‘EM…Mike & Dorothy Longo: The Rhythm Of Unity
Before he succumbed to COVID in 2020, jazz pianist Mike Long was just about to complete his jazz memoir, in which his widow Dorothy Longo has done with this 195 page book. The book is a combination of musical, personal…
Massimo Biolcati: On A Misty Night
Bassist Massimo Biolcati takes time away as a sideman for guitarist Lionel Loueke to create his own trio with drummer Johnathan Blake and tenor saxist/bass clarinetist John Ellis for a spacious collection of tones. The moods are dreamy, with Ellis’…
HIP SOUNDS FROM AVID…Dean Martin: Four Classic Albums Plus, Ahmad Jamal: Four Classic Albums
Albums that ooze with casual charm are the latest releases from Avid Records. One of the truly underrated vocalists, Dean Martin epitomizes casual cool on these early releases. From 1958, he scored a couple of hits by tapping into his…
VINYL REVIVAL..THE GREATEST TRIO EVER? Bill Evans Trio: Waltz For Debby
You know that there is a revival of vinyl albums when for the first time since 1987 their sales actually outnumbered those of compact discs. Why is that? Probably the warmth and intimacy that the 33 1/3rds provide, as exemplified…
A FORGOTTEN BELTER OF THE BLUES…Julia Lee: King Size Papa
If you’re a fan of the likes of R&Bers like Ruth Brown or Big Maybelle, gather ‘round this three disc, 72 song set focused on Julia Lee. She sang down and gritty, with this collection going back to her earliest days…
EARLY MOTOWN…Marv Johnson: You Got What It Takes-The Complete Singles and Albums 1958-62
While people usually associate the ”Motown Sound” with groups like The Temptations and The Supremes, the artist that was really the progenitor was “Marvelous” Marv Johnson. This 2 disc, 52 song collection includes his big hits like the fun “You…
PSYCHEDELIC SAN FRANCISCO…Santana, The Grateful Dead, The Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller Band, etc…A Night At The Family Dog-Go Ride The Music-Westpole
If you want to do a bit of time travel and actually see what the “hippie” movement, both musically and socially, was like, this 2 dvd set is a great place to take your trip. Pun intended. The first film,…