This is the second release I’ve encountered from Leigh Pilzer, and I love her sense of teamwork as well as swinging creativity. She plays baritone and bass saxes (which is more felt than heard) and bass clarinet, putting together a…
Author: George W. Harris
Alice Coltrane: Shiva Loka
Here’s a previously unissued recording of Alice Coltrane caught at the height of her musical and spiritual powers. She’s performing at Carnegie Hall for a benefit helping the Integral Yoga Institute back in 1971. Having just recorded her album Journey…
Larry Goldings & John Sneider: Chinwag
Larry Goldings must have lots of room in his garage, because he has to have somewhere to store all of the different keyboards that he uses on this series of duets with trumpeter John Schneider. What he does,is play tvarious…
WEST COAST HOT…Shelly Mann & His Men: Jazz From The Pacific Northwest
Without a doubt, one of the most recorded drummers in jazz has to be Shelly Manne, who was the epitome of the California West Coast sound of jazz in the 1950s. His trio and small band albums from this period…
The Stratos Ensemble: Freeing Form
Rare is the band that has a unique sound with a feel of experimentation but still be accessible to modern ears. Such is the success of The Stratos Ensemble, consisting of Dean De Benedictis/p-key-voc, TJ Sammut/g, Robert Gross/b, Coco Roussel/dr-synth,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Abdullah Ibrahim: 3
Still going strong at 89, Abdullah Ibrahim continues to grow as a pianist and composer, with a two disc album recorded both directly to tape in concert (one with and one without an audience) with Cleave Guyton Jr/fl-pic and Noah…
Isaiah Collier: The Almighty
Composer and bassist Micah Collier forms a core trio with Justin Dillard/p and Vincent/dr and juxtaposes a five piece horn and three pieces string section for one song and a trio of Michael Shekwoaga Ode/dr, Julian Reid/p and Jeremiah Hunt/b…
Mike Zito: Life Is Hard
Guitarist and singer Mike Zito brings in a collection of all stars on this Joe Bonamassa-produced session. Joe B brings in a few axes along with Josh Smith/g, Reese Wynans/key, Calvin GTurner/b, Lemar Carter and Paule Cerra/ts, all associated with…
Lone Star Mojo: A Shot of The Blues
The Texas team of Joe Splawn/B3-voc, Mark Snyder/g/voc, Tim Maloney/b and Barry Sloan/dr bring in guests Scott Biggs/slg, Doc Louie Luton/ag and Vanity Washington/voc for a rollicking juke joint affair. Splawn’s Hammond hums and moans on the growling shuffle of…
Jim Rotundi: Finesse
Frank Rotondi displays his golden tone on both trumpet and flugelhorn on this album with a jazz rhythm section of Danny Grissett/p, Karol Hadas/b and Mario Gonzi/dr supported by a jazz orchestra of reeds, brass and strings. What sets this…