Issue # 158 Reviews

Our latest and greatest reviews for your reading & listening pleasure

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The links below are to REVIEWS I’ve written for Cadence Jazz World!!!

Dom Minasi/Blaise Siwula – The Sunshine Don’t Mind My Singing

Dario Chiazzolino and Nico Di Battista – Rewriting Song

NOTE: I normally only do 30 reviews per issue… due to the high volume of submissions, & the long recovery period for my recent surgery, I will be reviewing several more (20 additional, for a total of 50) for this issue (and future issues, until our backlog is honed down)… “normal” review cycles will resume when I’ve got the QUEUE down to under 100!

Unhinged Sextet – CLARITY: What a fantastic jazz album to close out this issue with… the energy levels are far beyond the pale, as pianist Michael Kocour leads the talented sextet into jazz that just won’t stop! On tunes like the opener, “Unhinged“, you’ll find yourself trying to (mentally) direct the sextet via your tapping toes – I’ll tell ya’, this is some of the best jazz I’ve listened to (yet) this year! If you’re yearning for something with a more funk-i-fied feel, you’ll totally dig on “Down South“; this tune just cooks. To add to Michael’s fantastic piano/keyboards, you’ll also hear Will Campbell on alto sax, Matt Olson on tenor sax, Vern Sielert on trumpet, Jon Hamar on bass & Dom Moio on drums… and as you listen to my personal favorite of the dozen tunes offered up, “Derecho“, you’ll realize that you’ve found a true gem for your jazz collection. I give the Unhinged Sextet a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the OA2 Records page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Dwiki Dharmawan – SO FAR SO CLOSE: Dwiki’s keyboard work on this release from MOONJUNE Records is totally cosmic, people; I can guarantee you’ve not heard jazz/fusion this high-energy yet this year! The high-talent assemblage of players he has with him (Jimmy Haslip on bass, Chad Wackermand on drums, Dewa Budjana on electric guitar, Tohpati on electric and acoustic guitars, Jerry Goodman doing electric violin and Nyoman Windha on various instruments) is about as high-end as you’ll get – this year, or any other. I was particularly impressed with pieces like the stunning “NYC 2050“… though it’s short (4:59), it takes you to a higher plane, spinning and whirling off into new galaxies at each change. The most splendid thing about Dwiki’s music on this release is that the compositions are all original – which, for me anyway, always means the energy levels will be off the charts! My personal favorite of the eight tracks offered up is “The Return Of Lamafa“, probably because it has a beautiful spoken-word intro that leads to well-constructed changes that will keep you listening over & over again! I give Dwiki & his talented crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the MOONJUNE Records page for this fantastic debut performance. Rotcod Zzaj

Expansions- The Dave Liebman Group – THE PUZZLE: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reviewed great jazz from Dave, because it’s been so many… on this new release, with Matt Vashlishan on reeds, Bobby Avey on keys, Tony Marino on bass & Alex Ritz on drums, Dave’s superb sax work is truly at it’s best… ’tis indeed a “puzzle”, but true jazz fans will be riding the wave until it’s solved (or resolved, as the case may be). The light touch on the into to “Sailing“, rapidly evolves into some of the sweetest improvised jazz you’ll hear this year (I just loved Bobby’s electric keyboards on the tune)! If you’re looking/listening for tuneage that’s closer to “standard” jazz (though it’s not at ALL standard), you’ll dig deeply into “Good Bait“, a tune that moves like the wind. From a pure jazz energy standpoint, though, it was the splendid high-energy opener, “Hat Trick‘ that got my vote as personal favorite of the eleven puzzle pieces offered up for your improv jazz needs. I give Dave & his splendid/veteran crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. Get more information at the Whaling City Sound label page for this album. Rotcod Zzaj

Jeff Hackworth – THE HEART OF THE MATTER: I first reviewed Jeff’s scorching sax work in issue # 143, where he definitely got high marks. This new release is even better… full of life & bounce that just won’t quit, especially on tunes like the opener, “Big Bad Boogaloo” (the organ work from Kyle Koehler just ROCKS on this tune)! If late-night laid-back & funky is what you’ve been listening for, you’ll definitely dig on “3rd Avenue Blues“… the players really come together on this track (Vince Ector on drums, Kyle on organ & Ed Cherry on guitar). True talent & high-energy playing abounds, as tunes like my personal favorite of the nine offered up – “Tres Palabras” – clearly demonstrate. Jeff & crew get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, as well as an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great jazz release. Get more information about this, and earlier releases, at Jeff’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Eric Tingstad – MISSISSIPPI: This very interesting release features Eric’s guitars, banjo, pedal steel guitar, & resophonic, with Chris Leighton on drums/percussion; James Clark and Garey Shelton doing bass, and Eric Robert on organ… eleven songs that will sing to your heart with Eric’s love of life through music. The beautiful “Trail Of Tears” has all the emotion you would think it should, and will reach right down inside you! The loping pace on “Tennessee Rain” reminds me strongly of my own treks up & down that state’s highway ribbons… great guitar & I loved the addition of the organ; something not many “folk/world” albums have these days. It was the vibrant expression of life on “Skamania” that made it my personal favorite on the album. This one is among my favorite guitar-led albums in 2015, and gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Eric’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Jeff Richman – HOTWIRE: &, man, is it EVER – HOT, that is! Jeff’s stellar electric guitar is joined by a whole host of players, including some famous ones (like Jimmy Haslip, Jeff Lorber & Vinnie Colaiuta, just to name a few – you can read the full list at ALLMUSIC). I’m genuinely surprised that I’ve not reviewed him before, especially when I listen to super-groove pieces like “Seven Up“… splendid (& the horn section on this is just EXCELLENT)! If you want to really ride high on Jeff’s soaring leads, you’ll totally dig on the 5:57 “Solar City“… laid-back pacing, but just jam-packed with the kind of musical energy I love. Of the ten tracks offered up, though, it was the high-flying opener, “Hit Spot“, that got my nod for personal favorite… jazz with a real edge! I give Jeff & his talented crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99! Get more information at Jeff’s BandCamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Matt Lavelle & John Pietaro – HARMOLODIC MONK: Matt’s brass and reed work is just stunning on this 2014 release… and John plays reeds & percussion against it like they were right there in your living room. Tunes like “Let’s Cool One” display the kind of jazz talent most players only wish they had. This isn’t “trad jazz”, & true jazz fans will know that anyway, since the music is all that of Ornette and Monk… their rendition of Monk’s “Round Midnight” is about as out as it gets; I’d advise you do your listening with headphones on – you’ll want to catch every nuance of their marvelous play together. It was the laid-back pacing on the 8:25 “Pannonica” that got my vote for personal favorite… you won’t find much better on the jazz market today. I give this solid duo a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97 on this release. Get more information at the Unseen Rain Records label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Lucifers Friend – AWAKENING: There’s truly only ONE way to listen to rockin’ music like this – LOUD! After a 20-year hiatus, this ’70’s band reformed this year to continue the (LOUD) message they blasted out so many years ago. The 4:06 “In The Time of Job” is a perfect representation of the energy they craft for your ears… superb rock, to be sure! It’s a double CD, so you know you’re going to get plenty to listen to… on the second disc, tunes like “Riding High” demonstrate why they’re still masters at projecting their vibe… I’m totally diggin’ the guitar leads on this monster. It was the sheer wall-of-energy on “Moonshine Rider” that made it my personal favorite of the fourteen grand sonic excursions offered up, though… this just shines! I give L.F. a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. You can get more information at their FB pages (their website still shows “under construction”). Rotcod Zzaj

Mathew Roth – IMMERSION: If you’re not totally entranced by the 10 second mark of Mathew’s beautiful tune, “Seeds“, you’re definitely not the lover of music you claim to be. Neo-classical is a bit new in my review queue, but I ignore no music that is well-played and passionate, and Mathew accomplishes both on this new FLUTTERY RECORDS release. He did all the production work himself, so this is a true “D.I.Y.” effort, something held in highest esteem at this magazine. His keyboard work is paced with the listener in mind, and flawlessly executed. My personal favorite of the nine tracks offered up is “The Fall of Ash & Embers“… in addition to the piano, there is some excellent string work, too. I give Mathew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97 for this release. You can read/learn more about this fantastic piano artist at the FLUTTERY label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

The Kandinsky Effect – SONAMBULIST: As you listen to saxophonist Warren Walker, bassist Gael Petrina, and drummer Caleb Dolister paint their sonic images, you’ll realize that what the liner notes call “21st Century Jazz Dreamtime” is a reality you can’t escape (nor would you want to)! They’re very adept at weaving together various genres into a complete experience that will hold your ears, particularly on tunes like the 4:36 “Petit Loup“… very tasty & decidedly different. Loved the rhythmic intro on “Chomsky“, and they segue quite nicely to a groove you’ll not soon forget. It was the 4:56 “Flips” that got my vote for personal favorite of the dozen tracks offered up, probably because it was the closest to jazz form. I give this trio a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the Kandinsky Effect’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Tron Syversen – PIANO MEDITATIONS: My last review for Tron’s beautiful keyboard work was in issue # 128… this new release gets even higher marks! You’ll “hear” the peaceful paths portrayed on the album cover as you listen to “Golden Forest“, as the tune inspires nostalgic memories of wondrous inspiration; the vocal backing on the tune is very relaxing, too. It was the epic (19:37) “A Peaceful Path to Forever” that got my vote for personal favorite of the four long piano/synth tracks, though… Tron develops the theme and easily wraps you into the vision. If you’re looking for music to introduce someone to the beauty of well-composed and played piano music – GET this one. I give Tron a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this stellar release. Get more information about this high-talent artist at Tron’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Kyle Nasser – RESTIVE SOUL: Kyle’s rich, lush reed work clearly displays the kind of jazz talent we’ve all heard from the masters in the early years of jazz… ten all-original compositions that will transport listeners to jazz heaven… the opener, for instance, “For Rick B.“, meshes together all of his players (Jeff Miles (guitar), Dov Manski (piano), Chris Van Voorst (bass), and Devin Drobka (drums)) in a most elegant dance you’ll not hear elsewhere… highly impressive! The intricate design and heartfelt playing on “Shadow Army” will keep you coming back to the tune on your playlists… the recording is flawless. It was the 8:53 closer, “Rise“, that got my vote for personal favorite, though… seamless composition and high-talent playing from note one to the very last bar. I give Kyle & his crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. Get more information on Kyle at his website. Rotcod Zzaj

Rusty Crutcher – ROMANCES LATINOS: Rusty’s great sax work is just perfect for this rainy Saturday morning; songs like the opener, “All and Nothing (Todo y Nada)” will give you the joy you’ve been listening for! Most of the tunes are quite laid-back, but they’re all full-bodied & full of life, as you’ll hear when you scope out Rusty’s version of “What a Difference a Day Makes (Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado)“. As the album title implies, you’ll be “Latinized” by the time these eleven songs are finished… on that note, I’ve picked “Night Watch (Noche de Ronda)” as my personal favorite; the guitar and bass parts on this one are svelte and convincing – tasty indeed. I give Rusty a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97 for this release. You can get more information at Rusty’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Whiteboy Slim – QUEEN STREET BLUES: Wow – it’s hard to believe it’s been six albums from Slim… super high-energy blues, with some excellent guitar lead work! For those concerned about “language”, this is on th’ salty side, but nothin’ too bad. Songs like “Narcissistic Blues” will make sure th’ thrill is still there (whether you’re a narcissist or not). The opening title track, “Queen Street Blues“, is about as down & phonk-ee as you’ll hear this year (or next, for that matter). From a “pure blues” standpoint, it is “New Rising Sun” that got my vote for personal favorite of the eleven tracks offered up… down, out & gut-throat, to be sure. If you’re lookin’ for sonics that will “turn your blues on”, you’ll hear (right away) why I declare this MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for blues lovers; “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.98. Get more information at the Whiteboy Slim official pages. Rotcod Zzaj

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – WHEN THE KILL CODE FAILS: Hardcore “jazzers” may not scrunch down on this great release as stridently as I do, but that’s only because they don’t realize that “energy” is the quality that gets an album review here! Songs like “Freerunning” take me all the way back to bands like the ’60’s-era band “Touch“, which was one of my first (& most-loved) prog-rock bands. “Hats Off Gentlemen” features Malcolm Galloway and colleagues Kathryn Thomas (flute), Mark Gatland (bass), Rudy Burrell (drums) and Ibon Bilboa (guitar), & the album, to be released in early 2016 is one you should definitely consider for purchase. Of the thirteen songs, it was the title track, “When the Kill Code Fails“, that I chose as my personal favorite, probably because of the slow build toward ultimate energy! I give Malcom & his compadres a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this stunning music; “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.99. Get more information (including lyrics) on the release page for this CD. Rotcod Zzaj

The Giant Worm – CASTINGS: There’s a definite reason why “improv” is a part of the title of this magazine… my own forays into improvised music were back in the early ’80’s (specifically, spoken word), & I’m always looking for acts that carry it to the limit… I first got to witness this group’s wild antics at this year’s OEMF (Olympia Experimental Music Festival)… the players for this Portland-based improv band are Gary Dye on drums and percussion; A Rainey on keystrings, guitar, bass, and keyboards; Colin Boyce on bass; Fred Kellogg on bass; Pete da Fraser for spoken word; Robert “Xeres” Shepard on sax and toys – & they RAWK it (in an improv sense)! I especially dug their “Hamster“… “off-the-cuff” spontaneous madness that goes much farther than any hip-hop, & the musicianship through the 6:03 piece is totally cool. I dug “Cantaloupe” the most; in fact, this was my favorite of the eleven tunes offered up for your cosmic awareness (whatever that means). I give this fine group of players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of (a perfect) 5.00 – which means that they also get the “PICK” of this issue for “best improvised music”. Get more information at The Giant Worm Bandcamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Nicholas Bridgman – WHEEL OF LIFE: Nicholas has those piano keys trained to respond quite well to his style & energy… while billed as “smooth jazz”, he clearly demonstrates that he has more talent than that label would indicate, especially on tunes like the 4:04 “Kickin’ It“… true energy & focus on the jazz, not the dreaded “smoove”. You won’t find a better “road music” album than this; it’ll definitely keep you movin’! He lists Herbie Hancock as one of his musical heroes, & I can hear that influence on several of these compositions. My choice for personal favorite of the ten tracks Nicholas offered up is “Prismatic“… he displays a clear talent for keeping the rhythm going while he’s very much able to “organ-ize” things. I give Nicholas a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the Nicholas Bridgman website. Rotcod Zzaj

Cleopatra Records – THE MAGICAL MYSTERY PSYCH-OUT: I’m not really a big fan of “tribute” or “cover” albums, with various artists trying to re-interpret the original band… when one hits my inbox that’s really good, with high creativity and talent, though, all bets are off. The opener alone, “Tomorrow Never Knows“, performed by Electric Moon, makes the album worth the purchase… much of that “magical mystery” spirit that drew us so heavily towards the Beatles back in the day is captured on this track. Of the dozen tracks offered up, though, it was “The Word” (performed by The Blank Tapes) that was my favorite… definitely tasty memories and morsels to be had here. I give this release a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the Amoeba Records page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Danielle Reich – WHILE THEY WERE DANCING: Danielle’s vocal work is a familiar sound here, though it’s been a while… I last reviewed her in issue # 116… and was very pleased with what I heard. She has a fantastic backup band that remembers to keep her vocals out in front, especially on tunes like the beautiful & bluesy “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good“. If you’re looking for a great gift album to turn the younger generation on to just how fantastic jazz vocals can be, you’ll want to get this for them. My personal favorite of the ten tunes offered up for your aural enjoyment is “Mad World“… you’ll think you’re in a late-night jazz dive with Danielle crooning only for you. I give a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this fine CD, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Danielle’s page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Curtis Macdonald – MANHATTAN: A slightly older (2011) release from Curtis, but his keyboard work is “timeless” & he’s got his jazz DOW-un! There are “shades” of smooth, but his timing & talent keep it in the “real jazz” zone through all eight tunes. The electronic keys on “Strolling Herald Square” are superb and provide pleasant imagery for a summery walk in the park, no doubt. His ability to weave strong reeds into tunes like “Midtown at Midnight“, and paint in the dark tones of almost morning are far above average & totally diggable! Curtis made it easy for my ears to choose his opening track, “Sixth Avenue“, as my personal favorite… great trumpet sounds on this one. I give Curtis a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. Get more information about this high-talent artist on his FACEBOOK page. Rotcod Zzaj

Bethany Anne – THE OTHER WOMAN: A surprisingly upbeat & funky pop/R&B/hip-hop EP kind of thang in from this Philly vocalist. She says (on her REVERBNATION site) that she doesn’t just want to sing, she wants to inspire… & she achieves that on “old-school soul” tunes like “Illegal“… great vocal weave against heavy bass & synth lines. I don’t normally review EP’s, but Bethany is total indie, and has the talent to convince you (in only seven tunes) that you need to listen to her! It was the high-energy rhythm work on “Bad Gurl” that got my vote for personal fave… she keeps the beat movin’ (think Aretha on “Through The Storm”) & will get you up on your feet & swirlin’ ’round th’ floor. I give Bethany Anne a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at her RN site. Rotcod Zzaj

Brian Kelly – BUTTERFLY RAPTURE: It’s been a while since I reviewed Brian’s fine piano work in issue # 86 – and on this outing, it’s all solo piano, which makes for wonderful Saturday morning listening! Pieces like the 2:32 “Flowers at Her Feet” swirl and dazzle your ears. The dozen tunes are, for the most part, quite short… like “Niko’s Delight” (3:20), but that makes them easy to listen to, and I can guarantee that they will have you coming back for repeated listens. What’s most distinctive about Brian’s playing is that the style is “all his”… nothing copied, all original, and vibrantly full of life. My personal favorite of the twelve tracks is “Piano Escapade“… strong chord work and a floating right hand that displays full mastery of the keyboard. I give Brian a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this fine piano album. Get more information on Brian’s Bandcamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Giancarlo Mazzu’ & Luciano Troja – TASTING BEAUTY: These players got good marks from me in issue # 137… their new release will get even better ratings, because all ten pieces are originals! The upbeat blues on “Blues for Giuseppino” clearly demonstrates talent far beyond the norm, and they paint the blues as if they’ve “been there”; Luciano’s keyboard is just super on this tune. Giancarlo’s guitar intro on the 5:09 “Natural Wisdom” is excellent, and the flow between the two players will keep you enthralled. It was the gentle sway on “Quando Amavamo L’America” that made it my personal favorite of the ten offered up, though… it’s very clear that these two truly enjoy expressing themselves via music. I give them a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the Slam Productions label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Evan – NEW FOLK: Don’t dismiss Evan’s soulful folk performances as “just another crooner”… he’s got superb lyrical skill and a sensitive playing style that will captivate your ears, especially on tunes like “Wishing Well“… this isn’t your “grandpa’s folk music”, it’s just like the title says – “new”. Evan’s spirited performance on the opening title track, “New Folk“, may remind you of other singers, but by the time you’ve finished listening to this one, you’ll realize that he has his very own style. I don’t really stay in touch with the genre all that much anymore (too overwhelmed with jazz/blues submissions), but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. My personal favorite of the eight songs offered up on this release is 5:01 “Sun & Water“… laid-back groove, great guitar and an easy vocal style made my Thursday morning. I give Evan a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at Evan’s Bandcamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Chris Pasin – RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: It’s been a while since I last reviewed Chris… issue # 94, where he got high marks for his great trumpet work… this new release has a different set of players (Mark Kleinhaut on guitar, Wayne Hawkings on piano, John Menegon doing bass & Dave Berger on drums). Tunes like “OCDC” will reconnect your head (& heart) with what jazz is truly all about… exploration and adventure at the highest levels; the interplay between five instruments is serene, yet jam-packed with the kind of energy most players can only dream about! If you’re looking for something a bit more upbeat & rhythm-driven, you’ll love “Nature of the Beast” as much as I did… in fact, this track is the one that got my vote for personal favorite of the seven all-original Pasin compositions offered up! I give Chris & his high-talent crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of (a perfect) 5.00… meaning that they also get the “PICK” of this issue for “best trumpet-led jazz”! Get more information at Chris’s page for this truly exciting release. Rotcod Zzaj

Maxwell Gualtieri – FOR LOS ANGELES: Maxwell’s solo guitar work here is about as far from standard “jazz” as one can get… on the other hand, it’s probably as far as you’ve ever been before… edges of galaxies shimmer in your head as you scope out “A Dance” at the two minute mark… if L.A. were dancing in this noise, it would hurl itself uncompromisingly into another dimension… in point of fact – this IS another dimension. Do this album with your headphones on, but check the levels before you hit play… you want to take care of your eardrums. It was the second track, “Possession/Blossom“, that got my vote for personal favorite, though… clocking in at 33:58, it gives Maxwell plenty of time to create a new sonic universe for you. If you’re a “middle of the road jazzer”, you probably won’t “get” this one, but if you’re always seeking out something new/exciting for your listening pleasure, you’ll agree with me when I declare this to be HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.97. Get more information at the pfMENTUM label website for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

The Michael Waldrop Big Band – TIME WITHIN ITSELF: Something you don’t always hear in “big band” recordings these days is right here on this superb eight-song album… “swagger” & “proof of life”! Michael’s drums “lead” this elegant excursion into the funkiest of big bands you’ve ever heard, especially on songs like the straight-ahead jazz on the 7:34 “Munich Musings“… this tune is definitely in the “must listen” category. The swirling vocal work on “Tunnell Vision” will thrill those who realize that vocal jazz is (sometimes) just as exciting as the instrumentals. It was the 5:24 “Vistas” that got my vote for personal favorite, though… some excellent lead guitar work on this one, & the percussion just KICKZ’! This is Michael’s debut effort – & it definitely deserves the MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED I’m giving it… “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.98. Get more information about this fabulous release at the Origin Records page for the album. Rotcod Zzaj

Daniel Fortin – BRINKS: Daniel’s bass work on this release is quite amazing… tunes like the 7:48 “Ends” are sonic proof of that… Daniel is joined by David French, tenor saxophone; Michael Davidson, vibraphone; and Fabio Ragnelli on drums, and they are one “together” quartet! This is Daniel’s debut release as a leader, and he does it up right, particularly on tunes like the 5:38 opener, “Verona“… the syncopation of all four players is unbelievable… one of the tightest jazz quartets I’ve heard (yet) in 2015. You get ten carefully sculptured compositions; my personal favorite of those turned out to be “Progress Bar“… from the very first note, these gents wrap you into their spell and will hold you captivated for the entire 57 minutes. I give Daniel & his compadres a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the Fresh Sound Records label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble -THE WHISTLE BLOWER: Gilad’s sax work on this one seems (to me, anyway) to be a totally “different approach” for our friends at MOONJUNE, but perhaps that’s because they are the U.S. distributor for this fantastic jazz excursion from the U.K. Great tunes like “Let Us Prey“, the longest tune on the album, at 11:09, give plenty of room for all of the players in the ensemble to stretch out & shine their talent to illuminate your day; one thing made perfectly clear on this tune… Gilad (& all the players) know how to use the lulls/silences to craft jazz that will enchant and capture your heart. This is jazz that “reaches toward the out” a bit, so “soft jazzers” will probably opt out; but, it was one of the best jazz albums I’ve listened to (yet) in 2015. It was the 7:39 opener, “Gaza Mon Amour“, that got my vote for personal favorite of the eight aural adventures offered up. I give Gilad & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information about this band at the MOONJUNE page on Bandcamp for the release. Rotcod Zzaj

Randy Armstrong & Volker Nahrmann – BEYOND BORDERS: If you’re looking for music that will brighten your day with joy – get this one! Tunes like “Wherever You Are” are truly world-class, and evoke images of the peace & harmony this ol’ world could live in if they would forget all the artificially constructed borders; a leaning towards “world”, but the jazz is a mainstay on this composition! “White Cloud Black Thunder” has some wonderful flute, and the nature sounds woven into the tune will make it “stay” on your playlists for months (if not years) to come. My personal favorite of the eleven tracks was the 7:21 “Fun In The Sun“; if you can’t loosen up & shake that booty on this one – you’re stuck inside your own border… GREAT guitar leads, too. These folks get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from my ears, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Randy’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Vive – AND EVERYTHING ELSE: In a decidedly more “upbeat” new-age/chant kinda’ way, Tanya Witman’s vocals mesh perfectly with Mark Hadley’s guitar and Gabriel Mann’s instrumentals! The opener alone, “Ganesh“, is worth the purchase of this splendid musical adventure… what sets their music apart from all the other new-agers is the pulsing current of life that flows through each tune on the album. The string intro on “Panca Bala” proves that they are high-talent (as well as high-energy)… I loved this tune. It’s the wonderful percussion on “Om Mani Padme Hum” that made it my personal favorite of the nine compositions offered up for your aural enjoyment, though… the pacing on this piece is perfect, and as the Tanya’s vocal joins the percussion, you realize that the players are totally genuine. I give Vive a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information about the album and these fine artists at the Vive Music Project site. Rotcod Zzaj

Javier Vercher – WISH YOU WERE HERE: I’m continuously amazed by the high quality of music that comes through my mailbox (or e-mail for the digital submissions)… & it only seems to get better, as evidenced by the beautiful sax work you’ll hear from Javier on tunes like “Ears of A Distant Traveler“… total control of his reeds, & every note is crisp & clear on the recording. His sax is joined by bass from Larry Grenadier, guitar from Lionel Loueke, piano by Sam Yahel and drums from Francisco Mela. The great guitar intro by Lionel on the 9:18 “Style & Grace” made it my favorite of the nine all-original songs on the album, more than likely because of the poignant pacing… these gents know how to complement each other, and reach right down (deep) into the listener’s soul with their wondrous sounds. I give Javier & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 on this great album. Get more information at Javier’s Bandcamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Curtis Nowosad – DIALECTICS: This high-energy March 2015 release features Curtis’s fantastic drums… if you’re a jazz fan, you owe it to your ears to get this one, as you’ll hear when you listen to the opener, “Speak No Evil“… Jimmy Greene’s saxes, Derrick Gardner’s trumpet, Steve Kirby’s acoustic bass & will Bonness’s piano are right ON in there with Curtis’s drums on this great tune! Despite it’s title, “A Casual Test” is a scorcher… every note is “on-time”, & this kind of jazz takes me back to my earliest days – in total wonder & awe of what talented musicians can do to energize the listener. It was the classy rhythms and near-funk atmosphere on the title track, “Dialectics”, that won my vote for personal favorite of the nine tunes offered up this spirited album. I give Curtis & his crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 on this fine release. Get more information about Curtis at the Curtis Nowosad bio page. Rotcod Zzaj

Kenyon Carter – GAME ON: Sax player Kenyon’s story is as amazing as his high-energy playing is on this release… after suffering a life-threatening car accident, he wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to play again… but when you listen to the opener (& title track), “Game On” (with guest artist Chuck Loeb), you’ll hear that he’s better than ever! The 4:17 “Sea of Abaco” is pure joy, and has been spinning on my player for a long time now (ever since I did my first listen). For something a bit more romantic & laid-back, you’ll also dig “Lights Down Low“… as the title implies, this is total groove. It was the wide-open energy & funky spirit on “Jammin’ On Juniper” that made it my personal favorite of the eleven tracks offered up for your enjoyment… great tune! I give Kenyon & his guests a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this one. Get more information at Kenyon’s page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Larry Coryell – AURORA CORYELLIS: The morning after “turkey-day”, there’s nothing better to get your blood back & circulating than great fusion guitar from Larry… this fantastic 3-CD set is totally fantastic! Tunes like the 13:19 opener, “Offering” (from 1972), will take you on the ride of your life! He also performs some fantastic solo work on the 2nd CD, and pieces like “Julie La Belle” are perfect evidence of Larry’s total talent level. The majority of this is performed live, too, so that adds even more energy, as you’ll hear on “Bumpin’ on Sunset” (from the 3rd album)… Larry dialogues about one of his own heroes, Wes Montgomery, for the audience during the intro to this tune. From a jazz fusion standpoint, though, it was the 9:08 “Ruminations‘ that got my vote for personal favorite of the twenty-three songs offered up for your joy. I give Larry & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this splendid release. Get more information at the Glass Onyon PR page for this album. Rotcod Zzaj

Fragile Balance – CANDLELIGHT SESSIONS: El Paso natives Nico Antuna Cooper and Cruz Barajas Lujan create beautiful sonic vistas for you to bask in with their magical guitar work on this fine release. Their performance on the emotion-filled “When You Were Here” will bring back memories both happy & sad, I’m sure (as it did for me). The recording quality is perfect; part of that may be due to this being a live performance recording; you’ll hear just how perfect a recording can be on the title track, “Fragile Balance“… simply beautiful! My personal favorite of the nine great tunes offered up in this set was “Llorando en Julio“… you can taste every note as it stirs your passions to the brink. I give Nico & Cruz a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED on this release, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the Fluttery Records page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Michael Gibbs & the NDR Bigband – PLAY A BILL FRISELL SETLIST: All appears to be calm as this 8:29 wonder starts off in ballad mode – but, by the three-minute mark, when the full orchestra & the saxophone (Christof Lauer) kick in, you know that “Throughout” is a total rip-snorter that’s gonna’ knock you off your feet! My advice is to listen to this entire set with your headphones off, in order not to miss any of the precious energy that emanates forth from the excellent performance. On “Subconscious Lee“, you’ll find time signatures that disturb your “normal”, & will thrill you (all at the same time). The whirling/swirling “On The Lookout/Far Away” was my personal favorite on this nine-song release… probably because the 7:54 length gives each of the players opportunity to totally stretch out & overwhelm your ears with their talent & creativity. I give Michael & the band a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this fine release. Get more information on this great artist at the Cuneiform Records bio page for Michael. Rotcod Zzaj

Holland Phillips – DAYDREAM ALLEY: Holland is a master at creating (or, recreating, perhaps) music that will call back memories we think we’ve forgotten… this is immediately apparent on tunes like the beautiful “Touched By Fire“; his organ lead is superb on this one, and you’ll listen to it over and over again! If your dreams (day or night) need a little perking up, try out the soulful “Last Nite Out“… very nice changes on this one. No, it isn’t strictly jazz, but it’s got the life energy that’s required to get a good review here. My personal favorite of the dozen tracks offered up for your aural enjoyment is the opener, “Etude In D Minor“… the synth/strings on this piece are sad, yet inspiring, and will stay in your mind for years to come. I give Holland a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at his Music By Holland site. Rotcod Zzaj

Kenny Carr – EXIT MOON: Kenny’s stellar jazz guitar moves him to the “head of the line” (again)! There are few jazz artists that get my blood steaming like a locomotive, but as you listen to the 4:43 “Old School“, you’ll hear (immediately) why I love his vision of jazz so much… this is the STUFF, volkz… George Laks’s Wurlitzer just KICKZ on this great tune, and Kenny’s guitar leads take his jazz to a new level! The opener, “Perpetual Motion“, clocks in at 7:57 & gives plenty of room for each of the players to demonstrate talent far above other players on the jazz scene today – the rhythm section is so tight you’ll feel like it’s gonna’ pop at any moment. Of the nine tunes offered up, though, it was the down & funky “Chicken Wings” that got my vote for personal favorite… fine music that pumps new blood into the jazz of today! I give Kenny & his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of (a perfect) 5.00… meaning that he also gets the “PICK” (of the YEAR) for “best guitar-led jazz trio”! Get more information at the Kenny Carr website. Rotcod Zzaj

 

Nick Sanders – YOU ARE A CREATURE: Nick’s piano work on this oddly-titled album is excellent & fresh; rounding out the trio are bassist Henry Fraser and drummer Connor Baker. Nick’s compositions are “different”, to say the least… you’ll hear the difference right away as you listen to the thoroughly tasty changes on “Let’s Start“… the players are totally together on this tune! The title track, “You Are A Creature“, is also full of marvelous twists and turns… you really NEED to listen to this (at least for the first go-round) with your headphones on, so you won’t miss a note. It was the rhythmic acrobatics on “Keep In The Watch” that made it my favorite of the thirteen tunes offered up for your listening pleasure (and amazement). I give Nick & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this fine musical adventure. Get more information on this fantastic artist at Nick’s bio page. Rotcod Zzaj

Adrienne West & Alessio Menconi – WITH LOVE TO ELLA AND JOE: For true fans of jazz, you’ll know from the title that this release will be a treasure… Adrienne’s vocals are smooth, soft & silky, & Alessio’s jazz guitar will soothe your ears (as well as your heart)… especially on tunes like the 6:21 “Love Dance“… you’ll be gliding ’round the dance floor all night with this one… a guaranteed blues/jazz pick for right now, as well as the years to come. If you’re looking for Sonny Sharrock-like fire, you’ll have to move on, but it laid-back & bluesy chords & notes are what you’re after, you’ll love this release. My personal favorite of the ten tunes offered up is “Pra Dizer Adeus” (To Say Goodbye, according to the translator)… this one spins over & over on my playlists. i give this splendid duo a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information about them and/or purchase at the Dottime Records page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Gene Segal: MATTER: Gene’s stellar jazz guitar is joined by a great crew (JON IRABAGON tenor saxophone; SAM SADIGURSKY clarinet, bass clarinet; SEAN CONLY bass and JAIMEO BROWN drums) on this newest release; just over 66 minutes of high-energy jazz that will capture your mind and keep you in the groove all the way through. Tunes like the perky “Faint Memories of Home” remind me of early listens, way back in the day, to Gabor Szabo… albeit with more “forward moving” energies than those old recordings. The “almost rocker”, “Vortex“, will take you to (& through) the wormhole – & may not let you return, lol (Jon’s sax on this one just screams jazz). It was the 9:41 “Strange Matter” that got my vote for personal favorite of the nine tunes offered up, though… the length of the tune allows each player to just shine! I give Gene & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this release. Get more information at Gene’s website. Rotcod Zzaj

Alex Sandunga – ALEX SANDUNGA: Readers should keep in mind that this ‘zine got started because of home-made, improvised music… & Alex got his start with tapes (just like I did, way back when). What’s so absolutely cool about his Latin jazz/funk/rap is that the fun never stops – which you’ll hear when you scope out “Echale“, one of the liveliest tunes I’ve heard this year… the only criticism is that it’s only 4 minutes long – this kind of track could go on fo’evah’!! This is exactly th’ kind of music you want when yer’ ready to get down & party… if you want proof of what I’m saying, check out my personal favorite of the ten tracks Alex performs here, “Siempre Que Te Vas“… though I don’t speak a word of Spanish, it was easy to slide into the groove Alex creates on this great tune. I give Alex & his partners a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97 for this fine release. Get more information at the Alex Sandunga website. Rotcod Zzaj

Kenny Barron-Mark Sherman – INTERPLAY: Mark (my favorite vibe player) and Kenny’s wonderful keyboards join to “make your day”! Tunes like the 7:43 “Venture Within” will whisk you away from all the troubles of the day and make you feel great! The pace is just right – no “competition” here, these gents know exactly how to wrap you into the spells they weave & leave you wanting for more of their high-energy talent. It was the high-energy & smooth flow on “Cheese Cake” (the longest tune of the eleven on the album, at 9:04) that captured my vote for personal favorite… tons of room for both players to amaze and entertain you with their total talent performance. If solid jazz is what you’re after – this is your ticket; a truly stellar session from two giants in the genre! I give Kenny & Mark a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the Allmusic page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Bret Higgins – ATLAS REVOLT: What any listener will immediately peg in upon is the sheer POWER expressed in Bret’s compositions on this great release from John Zorn’s Tzadik Records… & that’s especially audible on the 4:05 “Meat For Dogs“… Bret’s throbbing bass line on this one drives it deep into your mind, & (I can tell you), it won’t let go for days! Bret’s double bass talent is joined by Aleksandar Gajic: Violin; Robbie Grunwald: Electric And Acoustic Pianos; Tom Juhas: Electric Guitar and Joshua Van Tassel: Drums, Percussion… Robbie’s electric piano work on the opening title track, “Atlas Revolt“, (as well as Aleksandar’s violin) made it my favorite of the ten fine tunes offered for your (long term) enjoyment… raw and pure jazz energy that will propel you to zones beyond your dreams. I give Bret & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great release. Get more information at Bret’s Bandcamp page for the release. Rotcod Zzaj

Harris, Haslam, Kershaw – SUITE DREAMS: Nary an issue goes by that doesn’t include something in the experimental mode – and this one is clearly in that zone… on the 7:12 opener, “Sostenuto“, the build is slow & is most assuredly tromping the turf which dreams are made of (if your mind is musically rigid, you could even say that they trod near to the edge of nightmare, lol). If you’re looking for sonic adventure with sweeping panoramas and strange vistas, you’ll love “Under A Different Sky” (almost as good as Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds) and it’s delicately nurtured drone atmospherics (as did I). My own personal favorite from the ten tunes offered up, though, was the 5:47 “Dancing Folk“… there’s an undercurrent running through this one that you just can’t escape (nor would you wish to). I give this great trio a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the Slam Productions page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

Carol Duboc – COLORED GLASSES: If I rated music on the sultriness of the performance (which I don’t, only for the musical energy in the performance), Carol would have gotten an immediate HIGH! On the opener, “Hypnotic“, the funkiness is ON, I’ll tell ya’! I reviewed her (way back) in issue # 134, where she also got excellent ratings for the life expressed through her talent… on this outing, tunes like the ultra high-energy “Wavelength“, she surely shines… if this tune doesn’t move your soul, you’ve lost your connection. Of the ten fine tunes presented for your listening enjoyment, it was “Trajectory” that got my vote for personal favorite… jazz with a funk undercurrent… too cool, folks! I’m not always a great fan of jazz vocalists – but, in Carol’s case, she nailed it in the first 10 seconds – so she gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this fine release. Get more information at Carol’s page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj

John M. Bennett & Byron Smith – PICO MOJADO: Having collaborated with John many (MANY) times, I can tell you that this release from the ’90’s is among the best I’ve heard him do! What’s especially attractive is the mesh of words, percussives & various/sundry instrumental tones, and when it comes to words, no one is better than John at astounding you with language. The other notable thing about John’s poetry/recording is that none of his vocal work is “squashed” (as was typical of many 1990’s artists in this genre); you hear each & every word clearly – though, if you’ve not been exposed to his wordsmith wonders before, you may need to do this one with your headphones on! You get 29 tunes to ponder & wash out the daily clutter thrust upon you by today’s society… again, I’d recommend headphones for your first go-round! I give John & Byron a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of (a perfect) 5.00 – meaning this also gets the “PICK” of this issue for “best spoken-word/musical adventure”! Get more information at John’s Luna Bisonte site. Rotcod Zzaj

Guilty By Association – COMING HOME: If you think you’re going to escape the heavy rock beatz this Vegas rock/punk band lays down to capture your ears – think AGAIN! This definitely isn’t “jazz”, but (as evidenced by tunes like the scorching guitar-led “Our World“) it surely meets my criteria for “high energy”! The band was formed (way back) in 2001, so they’ve been doing this for long enough to make music that ROCKZ, & keepin’ it together so it doesn’t sound like some back-alley effort. They’re a bit explicit in sections, so if you’re not into that sorta’ thing, you’ll probably move to another rack. My personal favorite of the dozen tracks is the scorching “Another Day“… high-flyin’ rock that gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the Guilty By Association pages. Rotcod Zzaj

Kerani – EQUILIBRIUM: This new-age keyboardist got a well-deserved “PICK” from my last review of her work (issue # 146); her new release celebrates the women of the world in fine fashion! The beautiful strings and vocals woven into the 6:25 “Hypatia’s Universe” will transport you (immediately) to regions you never imagined before now! The longest track on the release, “Fragrant Mountain“, will catch your imagination and take it in new directions, too… the synthesizers on this piece are (truly) among the best I’ve heard in 2015. It was the chorale integration on “Lady’s Grace” that got my vote for personal favorite of the nine compositions offered up for your aural enjoyment… & I can tell you that joy will capture you each and every time you listen to Kerani’s talented playing! I give this release a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, particularly for listeners who love to surf the waves of the cosmos. Get more information at Kerani’s website. Rotcod Zzaj