Blest with one of the purest voices of today’s vocalist, Jane Monheit has always had the “perfect” album that captures her concert essence avoid her. Until now. This one, with her working team of Michael Kanan/p, Rick Montalbano/dr, David Robaire/b,…
Category: Ringer of the Week
THIS IS A HARD BOP TENOR SAX 101…Joe Henderson: The Complete Joe Henderson Blue Note Studio Sessions
First, there has to be a disclaimer about this recent release that captures how jazz was supposed to sound like in the 1960s- The title might imply that this limited edition set by Mosaic Records is EVERYTHING tenor sax titan…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LAST CALL-Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine: Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XI
This recording from January 24, 2017 would be important anyway, as it is the last recording done by guitar legend Larry Coryell before he went to eternal life just a few weeks later on February 19. The fact that it…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****SATCHMO’S RENAISSANCE…Louis Armstrong: The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia & RCA Victor Studio Recording Dates 1946-1966
In retrospect, it’s almost impossible that iconic artists like Louis Armstrong had highs and lows in their careers, but over the half century of his musical life, the man most credited with giving jazz its own sound via horn and…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****REBIRTH OF THE COOL…The David Angel Jazz Ensemble: Out On The Coast
Missing melody, harmony and sublime swing? Me too! Got a cure for you-check out this THREE, count ‘em THREE disc set from tenor saxist and conductor David Angel, as he brings in some of LA’s finest studio studs for an…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Stephanie Nilles: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag-The White Flag
The music and attitude of sui generis bassist Charles Mingus is captured by pianist/vocalist Stephanie Nilles on this recent release. What she has done is take the music from Mingus, particularly during the fiery time in his career when he…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Allan Harris: Kate’s Soulfood
You can tell after just one song that singer Allan Harris grew up around the corner from the world famous Apollo Theatre. Every song on this album oozes over with Old School soul, mixing a gospel feel, upbeat messages about…
Gretchen Parlato: Flor
It’s been way too long since vocalist Gretchen Parlato has released an album, and this one may simply be her strongest. For one thing, it sounds most like her concert performances, as she stays mostly with a single working team…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Franco Ambrosetti Band: Lost Within You
Franco Ambrosetti brings his trumpet and flugelhorn to lead a classy sounding collection of all stars in this wonderfully lyrical album of mostly jazz standards. The team of John Scofield/g, Renee Rosnes-Uri Caine/p, Scott Colley/b and Jack DeJohnette/dr is first…
DO-WOP AT IT’S DO-WOPPIEST…The Ravens: The Ravens Collection 1946-59
There was a ton of do wop groups named after birds, namely the Larks, Crows, Cardinals and Wrens, to name just a few. Highest of the fliers were The Ravens, originally consisting or Jimmy Ricks, Warren Suttles, Leonard Puzey and…