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!…
Category: Ringer of the Week
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…
****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…