I’ve you’ve only experienced jazz from the hard and raucous beats and intricate time signatures of technical acuity with now heart, you’re in for a treat with this 3 disc set from Fresh Sound Records. Initially, jazz was defined by…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE CREATOR OF THE LAST PARADIGM SHIFT?…Lennie Tristano: Personal Recordings 1946-1970
Yes, artist like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Chick Corea have many musicians who they have influence in their wake, but to give you some semblance of how Lennie Tristano (1919-1978) still has an impact on todays music, consider this:…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****…Bola Sete: Samba In Seattle-Live at the Lighthouse (1966-1968)
Just when you thought you’d discovered all of the Brazilian sounds of vintage samba… Musical detective/producer Zev Feldman has unearthed a collection of rare and still essential recordings from Brazilian artist Bola Sete. This three disc set brings to light…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Anat Cohen & Marcello Goncalves: Reconvexo
This is the second album that clarinetist Anat Cohen has recorded with Brazilian 7-string guitarist Marcello Goncalves. And, just like Outra Coise from 2017, this one also gets my RINGER OF THE WEEK award, as it’s a gorgeous melding of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dave Stryker: As We Are
Best known as a master of the organ-driven groove, guitarist Dave Stryker discovers new territories, as he brings in a rich string quartet to add textures to his post bop team of Julian Shore/p, John Patitucci/b and Brian Blade/dr, the…
THE HARDEST SWINGING TRIO…Gene Harris & The Three Sounds: The Ultimate Blue Note Collection
I only saw pianist Eddie Harris one time in concert, never hearing his albums with The Three Sounds before, and after the show, my only thought was “How did I ever miss this guy’s recordings?” His perfect mix of jazz,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS A JAZZ GUITAR 101…Randy Napoleon: Rust Belt Roots
Randy Napoleon is best known as the guitarist for the late great Freddie Cole. Since then, he’s embarked on a solo career that is rooted deep in the tradition of classic sounding six stringers like Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Michael Stephenson: Meets The Alexander Claffy Trio
Jazz vocals is a lot like college classrooms; they seem dominated by a surfeit of women in attendance. So, when a guy comes around that doesn’t sound like a Buble’ clone, he gets my attention. Michael Stephenson gets that attention.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Ensemble Edge: Dimma-A Tribute to Jan Johansson
Swedish pianist/composer Jan Johansson (1931-1968) was adept at mixing traditional folk tones and jazz into a rich and unique atmosphere. Conducted by Mathias Skaarup Sorensen, 16 singers from Ensemble Edge join with Calle Brickman/p, Karmen Roivassepp/voc, Matthias Flemming Retri/b, Andreas…
IF CHARLES BROWN WERE FEMALE…Hadda Brooks: Out of the Blue-The Singles & Albums Collection 1945-53
If there is a sexism in jazz and R&B (and there surely is/was), it is shown by the fact that pianist/vocalist Hadda Brooks is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Ray Charles, Amos Milburn, Charles Brown or early Nat…