Here’s a pianist I guarantee you’ve never heard before, as he only did (to my knowledge) only this one session as a leader and then dropped off into even deeper obscurity. Pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali was discovered by drummer Max…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WHEN LA WAS STILL SWINGING…The Bobby Shew Sextet: Play Song
Back in the 70s and 80s, for five bucks you could go into one of half a dozen jazz clubs any night of the week and catch a first class set or two. LA was filled with studio cats looking…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Zvonimir Tot’s Jazz Stringtet
This mix of gypsy guitar by Zvonimir teamed up with the sring team of Carmen Kassinger/vi, Lisa Fako/vi, Cheryl Wilson/va, paula Kosower/cel and Rob Kassinger/b feels like the logical step of Django Reinhardt if he were alive today. The mix…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****Vasko Atanasovski Adrabesa Quartet: Phoenix
Lyrical folk sounds from the Old World abound with Vasko Atnasovski playing alto sax, soprano sax and flute with Simone Zanchini/acc, Michel Godard/tuba, Bodek Janke/dr-tab and Ariel Vei Atanasovski/cel on nine bohemian beauties. You feel like folk dancing in a…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****HOLDSWORTH MEMORIES…Soft Works: Abracadabra in Osaka
I caught legendary guitarist Alan Holdsworth just after this 2003 tour with this band of Elton Dean/saxello-as-p-rhodes, Hugh Hopper/b and John Marshall, here recorded in Osaka on August 11. It’s humbling to realize that 3/4ths of the band has gone…
CLASSY! Bill Cunliffe: Trio
It’s almost impossible to think up a stronger trio than the one Grammy winning pianist composer Bill Cunliffe has put together for this album. Always lyrical and melodic with a perfect sense of swing, he brings together two of the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****BROTHERLY LOVE…Nicki & Patrick Adams: Lynx
Pianist Nicki Adams creates rich duets with brother and trumpeter Patrick on this rich and communicative collection of modern jazz readings. Their taste in song selection is as good as their delivery, with Nicki going full stride on an energetic…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Wolfgang Lackerschmid & Chet Baker: Quintet Sessions 1979
One of my biggest musical regrets is that passed on my chances to see Chet Baker in the late 70s and early 80s. I figured, “C’mon-he’s totally fried and past his prime” as I thought his chops were long gone.…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Nicolas Meier World Group: Magnificent
This is about the third album that I’ve reviewed by Jeff Beck alumnus and guitarist Nicolas Meier, and it might be his most impressive yet. It’s definitely the most ambitious, since it has 3 discs worth of music. The three…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Damia’ Timoner: Jerry’s Smilin’-A Guitar Tribute to the Grateful Dead
I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Grateful Dead (sorry, everyone!), but Spain-based guitarist Damia’ Timoner makes me want to become one. The nylon stringer takes the Dead songbook (mostly form Jerry Garcia’s pen) and gives gorgeous and personal…