As Art Blakey once said, “All jazz music is dance music.” Bassist/composer Omer Avital takes that proverb to task as he brings dance music from his native Israel and mixes it perfectly with jazz on this latest album with Avishai…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****The Urban Renewal Project: Local Legend
I really didn’t think people were capable of making albums like this anymore. What you’ve got here is a mix of old school soul a la Stax Records or the Funk Brothers, some incredible vocal duets, and yet a dash…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Melissa Stylianou: No Regrets
First, a disclaimer: I’m Greek. My wife says that disqualifies me from critiquing an album by a Greek because “You’d love it even if it were terrible, just because she’s Greek.” Then, I’d hear the rant about how Greeks think…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dayna Stephens: Peace
You’d think a ballads album would be easy to do, wouldn’t you? Just play the mellow theme, and show some heart. So, how come so few sax players can do it? Dayna Stephens pulls of the trick perfectly. He switches…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Ahmad Jamal featuring Yusef Lateef: Live At The Olympia
This 2cd/dvd capsule of pianist Ahmad Jamal with Yusef Lateef confirms my theory about jazz artists. Unlike artists from classical music or rock, jazz musicians get better and better as they age, adding soul and veritas to their sound and…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dee Daniels: Intimate Conversations
Do you want to hear what a vocalist is supposed to sound like? Give this lady a try! Daughter of a minister, Dee Daniels gives a Spirit filled album where she is teamed with (mostly) one other musician on a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Kenny Werner: Coalition
Kenny Werner has to be one of the unheralded giants of jazz. His compositions are always very interesting, he’s got the heart of a lion, and he plays the piano/keyboards like an open minded bopper. Here, he brings up some…
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****Michael Spiro: Ritmos Unidos, Various Artists: Salsa De La Bahia
Call it “Salsa,” “Latin” or “Afro Cuban,” just keep playing it! Here are two releases from Patois Records that will liven up any party, or at least make you cruise the boulevard with a little extra pride. Percussionist Michael Spiro…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mario Castro Quintet/Strings: Estrella De Mar
Here’s an exciting and panoramic collection of fresh and invigorating material by a guy I’ve never even knew existed. Tenor saxist and composer Mario Castro puts together an ambitious project that mixes a jazz team of Josh Shpak/tp, Tamir Shmerling/b,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Harvey Wainapel: Amigos Brasileiros Vol 2
If you want to encounter the real joy and swing of modern Brazilian jazz, search no farther than this wonderful session by Harvey Wainapel, who plays sax and clarinet with a mix and match of lyrically lovely artists. Most of…