Sensitive understatements are delivered by the crystal toned vocalist Maria Puga Lareo on this seductively framed mix of standards and Brasilia. She’s backed by a large and romantic ensemble that includes the likes of Bob Sheppard/wwinds, Josh Nelson/p-key, Alex Acuna/perc,…
Category: Reviews
SUNDAY MORNING MUSIC..The Roberta Martin Singers: The Classic Years 1947-1962, The Imperial Gospel Singers: The Savoy and Gospel Releases 1958-1962
Get sounds of Sunday morning every day of the week with these two anthologies of black gospel music. Did I hear an “Amen”? Founded in 1933, The Roberta Martin Singers was one of the most important traditional gospel groups, having…
WHEN WOMEN WERE WOMEN…The Best Voices That Time Forgot…Pinky Winters: Pinky/Lonely One, Donna Brooks: Soft and Slow/I’ll Take Romance
The 1950s and 60s were a time that were overloaded with a surfeit of female vocalists, and it was simply impossible to keep up with all of them. Fresh Sound Records does us a service by reissuing albums by ladies…
Righteous Rooster: Fowl Play
Classic organ trio sounds from Henry Dickhoof’s Hammond, Kenny Re ichert’s guitar and Luke Sadadin’s drum make for a swinging album that harkens to the days of Grant Green and Larry Young. Dickhoff’s able to create a hip boogaloo bass…
Jason Keiser: Kind of Kenny
Playing acoustic guitars, Jason Keiser gives a tribute to the music of the late trumpet great Kenny Wheeler, interpreting the horn man’s compositions (and a few originals) with guitarist John Stowell, vocalist Danielle Wertz, saxist Michael Zilber and Jekabson on…
Western Jazz Collective: Dark Journey
Subtitled “The Music of Andrew Rathburn”, this album brings together a collection of musical journeys by composer, reed man and band member Andrew Rathbun, played alongside Scott Cowan/tp, Greg Jasperse/voc, Matt Landon/g, Matthew Fries/p, John Hebert/b, Keith Hall/dr and guest…
Weather Report: 1983
There is a disconnect on this recent release of previously unissued material of Weather Report in concert. The album claims to be recorded during a (series of?) concert of the famed band in 1983, but the picture on the inside…
Anat Cohen Quartetinho: Bloom
One of the truly freshest voice on the clarinet, Anat Cohen stretches her worldview on this latest album. In the past, she has explored Brazilian folk music as well as jazz both modern and traditional. This time around, with her…
Wayne Alpern: Gotham
If you think you know your standards, take some time to check out this album of them arranged by Wayne Alpern, as he’s got some fresh wine for the old wineskins. It’s hard to beat the team involved, as John…
Sol Jan Trio: 19-29
Pianist and composer Sol Jang trios with Jort Terwijn/ ban and Max Hering/dr for some panoramic soundscapes. Her touch can range from a hard bopping and kinetic “Philadelphia” to a probing “Dissolution” where she and Terwijn delve deep. Soft brushes…