Alto saxist and composer Miguel Zenon continues his delving into the music of his heritage, yet this time around teams his alto sax with the Spektral Quartet, featuring Clara Lyon/vi, Maeve Feinberg/vi, Doyle Armbrust/va and Russell Rolen/cel. Zenon wisely uses…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Steve Turre: The Very Thought Of You
Wondrous and rich sounds are delivered by Steve Turre as he focuses on warm moods in a variety of suave settings as he rotates songs with Kenny Barron/p, Buster Williams/b, Willie Jones III/dr, George Coleman/ts, Russell Malone/g and a string…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Scott Petito: Rainbow Gravity
The progressive vibe of fusion never sounded better as bassis/producer Scott Petito brings together a set of all stars for ten swinging beauties. He mixes and matches drummers Omar Hakim, Peter Erskine, Simon Phillips and Jack DeJohnette in bands of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE GATOR GOT HIS GRANNY…Tony Joe White: Bad Mouthin’
The creator of bluesy swamp rock, Tony Joe White has never sounded better on this collection of earthy tones and moods. His voice sounds like he’s been sitting in the back of a pickup for 30 years, letting the red…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Eddie Daniels: Heart of Brazil
While Resonance Records is better known for uncovering wonderfully rare and historical recordings by the likes of Wes Montgomery and Bill Evans, it also releases new material as well, and this latest album by Eddie Daniels is a real gem.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jay Lawrence: Sonic Paragon
Drummer Jay Lawrence shows impressive versatility and swing on this album of originals and very clever covers. He brings together a group of all stars in John Patitucci/b, Renee Rosnes/p, Romero Lubambo-Anthony Wilson-Yotam Silberstein/g, Harry Allen/ts and Terell Stafford in…
REAL MEMPHIS “SOUL”: The Staple Singers: Collection 1953-62
Before creating one of the signature sounds for STAX Records with popular hits like “Respect Yourself,” the family of Roebuck “Pops” Staples along with children Cleotha, Pervis and Mavis created some of the most earthy and truly soulful music that…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Yellowjackets: Raising Our Voice
Just when you thought they had run their course and closed up shop after 31 years and 30+ albums in various incarnations, the Yellowjackets have re-convened and pull out a fresh collection of tunes, even featuring vocalist Lucian Souza who…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Catherine Bent: Ideal
Just when you thought that nothing new could be done to the wonderous sounds from Brazil, you get this delightful collection of fresh compositions from cellist Catherine Bent. She cleverly uses her instrument as a lead, and it works amazingly…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dongfeng Liu: China Caribe
Pianist and composer Dongfeng Liu does an adept job at mixing flavors and sounds from his native China with Caribbean grooves and jazz concepts on this wide ranging album. The core team of John Benitez/b, Roberto Quintero/perc, Francis Benitez/dr deliver…