Just when you think you’ve heard every jazz singer around, Fresh Sound Records pulls out another obscurity, releases some amazing material and makes you pull your hair out and exclaim “Why have I never known of this cat before?” This…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE “WHITE” ALBUM LIKE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE…The Beatles: The Beatles and Esher Demos
Originally coming out in November, 1968, The Beatles “White” album is being commemorated with an ambitious reissue project. Overseen by Giles Martin, the 49-year old son of famed Beatles producer Sir George Martin, the reissue of the 2 album set…
THE REAL SOUL OF NEW ORLEANS…The Ric & Ron Anthology: Feelin’ Right Saturday Night
While Stax and Motown got all of the publicity, for a few short years, there was a label in New Orleans that created a few waves with some of the earthiest R&B to hit the streets. Founded by Joe Ruffino…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****OYE!! Julio Gutierrez, Nino Rivera, Jose Fajardo & Cachao: The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions
If you’re like I am, and think that Afro-Cuban sounds was one of the greatest things to happen to jazz, this 5 disc collection of music from Cuban locals from the 50s is simply as smoking hot as a Montecristo.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jorge Nila: Tenor Time-Tribute to Tenor Masters
Jorge Nila is my kind of tenor saxist; he’s got a big and beefy tone that rolls in like the fog at Fisherman’s Wharf. Even better, he uses it here as a tribute to the muscular saxists of the heyday,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Okan: Sombras
The vocal team of Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdely Savigne create rich and exciting Afro Cuban sounds on this highly percussive and energic album. The supporting team of Anthony Szczachor-Frank Martinez/dr, Roberto Riveron/b, Bill King-Danae Olano-Jeremy Ledbretter-Miguel de Armas/p and various…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LAST OF THE BEBOPPERS? Frank Morgan & George Cables: Montreal Memories
Recorded at the the Montreal Jazz Festival back in Dominion Day, 1989, this previously unreleased concert finds one of the last of the original bebop alto players at the renaissance of his career. Frank Morgan (1933-2007) was one of the…
WHEN JAZZ WAS KING…Norman Granz: The Founder
During an era when jazz is on the fringe of the fringes in terms of popularity, it’s almost impossible to believe and appreciate the era from 1942-1960 that had jazz artists filling up giant concert halls with sounds of swing,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Van Morrison: The Prophet Speaks
For his last album, the rock icon Van Morrison reached back to his R&B roots,teamed with B3er Joey DeFrancesco and tapped into his inner Hank Crawford for a swinging You’re Driving Me Crazy, which made my Top 10 release for…
THEIR BEST BLUES ALBUM? Rolling Stones: Beggars Banquet 50th Anniversary
People seem to endlessly argue which is the “best” Rolling Stones album. It’s hard to disagree that this one from 1968, and the last one with the original band including Brian Jones, is their bluesiest, if not only their most…