Back in the early 60s, American blues players made records that were grabbed by teenage English boys and returned to the states in the form of a thing called “Rock and Roll.” One of the most influenced and influential groups,…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****NEWLY DISCOVERED MONK!!! Thelonious Monk: Monk
Just when you start getting used to today’s sounds, a voice from the past reminds you of your first and true love. A previously unreleased recoding of a 1963 concert with Thelonious Monk and his working team of long time…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Randy Waldman: Superheroes
This is the kind of album that makes jazz fun. Pianist and arranger Randy Waldman tackles the Comic Book Song book, namely themes from shows like Mighty Mouse, Batman, Underdog and Spiderman. You get the idea; Saturday morning starts swinging!…
FOXY! The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland 50th Anniversary Box Set
Yes, there was a time when music was exciting, forward thinking and still popular. The third and final album by the world shattering Jimi Hendrix experience with drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Noel Redding and actually produced by Hendrix (and still…
****ALBUM OF THE YEAR?****Charlie Haden & Brad Mehldau: Long Ago and Far Away
This is about the 3rd time Impulse! has released a posthumous album with Charlie Haden, this time with pianist Brad Mehldau from a 2007 concert in Mannheim Germany. Judging by the high quality of all of these albums, it causes…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE TREASURY OF DAVID…Yelena Eckemoff: Better Than Gold and Silver
Pianist and composer Yelena Eckemoff has built up an impressive and wide ranging catalogue, and this is not the first time one of her albums has gotten my ROTW award. This two disc set is particularly ambitious, as it has…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****HEART FULL OF SOUL…Joey Morant: Forever Sanctified
Joey Morant is the kind of artist that embodies the soul of jazz. He sings, plays trumpet and gives commentary on life during this wonderful collection of songs, mostly self penned, by a meat and potatoes team of Mike LeDonne/B3-p,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Andreas Varady: The Quest
You know a guy’s got potential if Quincy Jones is supporting him, and Andreas Varady doesn’t disappoint on this latest album. He works as more of a teammate than leader with his band including his dad Bandi on bass, brother…
Miguel Zenon: Yo Soy La Tradicion
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…
****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…