Issue 144 Reviews
Our latest and greatest reviews for your reading & listening pleasure
SPECIAL NOTE: Click to read my LIVE SHOW review for the 20th Olympia Experimental Music Festival!!!!
Mike Allen Quartet, with Hugh Fraser – PANORAMA: The view couldn’t be any more chill than this… Mike’s tenor/soprano sax work just shines, & Hugh Fraser’s trombone work will make you review where you’re at musically, especially on pieces like the 7:13 “Labyrinth“! Absolutely tasty jazz that will open up new sonic vistas for you to explore. The vibrancy of the title track, “Panorama“, made it my favorite of the ten tracks offered up for your long-term enjoyment – with the lively “Modalitee” coming in as a (very) close second! I give Mike & his crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the Cellar Live label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
Jeff Presslaff – THE COMPLETE REBIRTH OF THE COOL: Jeff’s trombone work on this one will do more than just impress you for a moment… it will ramp itself deep into your consciousness and stay there for a long time to come. Pieces like “November Night” are especially memorable; I’m thinking that’s why it was chosen as the closer… to make sure that “cool” stays with you for the long term. “Marda Loop“, though short (2:33) is energy-packed and will have you up & out of your seat ready to dance! It was the bluesy feel on “Such Sweet Sadness” that captured my vote as favorite of the ten pieces offered up… definitely cool, & definitely a new birth! I give Jeff & his (rather extensive) crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the Cellar Live label page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
Patax – LIVE FROM INFINITY: This one came to me after I asked for it; having seen a YOUTUBE video of the group, I couldn’t resist asking Jorge Perez for a review copy! When I spun the CD the first time, I had to have it everywhere I went… just listen to the high-energy opener, “El Tiburón“, and you’ll know exactly why you MUST have this one in your library – isn’t that bass just wonderful (that’s why it got jumped to the head of the QUEUE)? There’s also a DVD with the CD, featuring great tunes like “Man In The Mirror”, with a superb vocal by Alana Sinkey! It was the whole-band performance and cosmic energy levels on the 6:06 “The Way You Make Me Feel” that had me going gaga… my absolute favorite of the 9 offered up. I give Patax a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the band’s FB page. Rotcod Zzaj
Cory Weeds featuring Steve Davis – LET’S GO: If you don’t “go” when you listen to Steve Davis’s trombone alongside Cory’s saxophone on “Close To Home“, you’re never going to go anywhere! I can say (without a hint of exaggeration) that this is the most lively jazz set I’ve heard (yet) in 2014. The 7:25 opener, “Tonk“, is a killer tune as well – the liners say that Cory has a “jazz habit” that he’s unable to break… would that more players had such an affliction! My personal favorite of the nine super tracks offered up for your continued listening pleasure is “Rabbit Run“… jagged edges in a certain sense, but totally accomplished jazz playing that will leave the tortoises well behind! I give Cory & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at Cory’s Cellar Live site. Rotcod Zzaj
Kristin Amarie – NOTES FROM A JOURNEY: If the world were as beautiful as Kristin sings it, we would have no wars, little drama and a whole lot better place to live! As I listen to “Beloved (And I’ll Dream In Blue“, it’s easy to imagine such a world, and you will as well. Truly one of the most inspiring debut works I’ve ever heard (and as you know, I’ve heard a lot)!!! I was especially impressed with the deep spirit expressed on the opener, “First Light“… if this one doesn’t send you into new dimensions, you’re beyond all hope. The strings are cosmic, and Kristin’s vocal simply beautiful. I give Kristin and her cast of stars a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Kristin’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
The Jefferson Rose Band – FEEL LIKE DANCING: I received this from one of our promoters, and as soon as I burned it to my review drive, I got busy listening! Jefferson is the bass player and musical director for the band, & he’s got that “musical direction” piece down pat. As you listen to the title track, “Feel Like Dancing“, that’s just exactly what you’ll do… the energy levels are nuclear, and all the players are ON time (the vocal on this one by Alex Kitchen is stellar)! The percussion intro on “Tropical Winters” by Ahkeenu Musa made it my favorite track of the eleven offered up for your pleasure. I give Jefferson & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 (almost the top of my scale)… get more information on this excellent band at the Jefferson Rose Band page. (as a special note, I had the chance to do a LIVE SHOW review of this band… I’ll be posting it up soon). Rotcod Zzaj
Balval – TEN HAND BAND: The third album from this inspiring & eclectic French gypsy band is “different”, to be sure…. is it “jazz”? No, not in the strictest sense! Is it power-packed with energy & life? You BET’chum, chum! tunes like the laid-back “All But Gone” will take you on a journey you could never have imagined. The 2:55 “Insomnia” will keep you awake even after several sleeping pills, albeit in a good way. My personal favorite was the rockin’ “Money In The Bank“… get yo’ moto-cycle BOOTS on – this is music to RIDE that monster to! I give these folks a well-deserved MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the Balval website. Rotcod Zzaj
Barb Jungr – HARD RAIN: Barb’s one of my favorite vocalists, and her interpretations of Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind“, (the opener) is among the best performances of that classic I’ve ever heard. Her totally cool rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows” will hold you spellbound (some excellent organ work on this one, too). It was the power-laden Dylan song “Masters of War” that packed the punch needed to make it my favorite of the eleven tunes offered up – the flute solo is fantastic. Personal experience with the gigantic war machines tell me that this is our future, unless we RARE UP & say “No”! Any way you listen to this album, you’ll find it to be among the most influential of the decade…. I give it a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at Barb’s official site. Rotcod Zzaj
Howard Riley – TO BE CONTINUED: If you love solo piano, Howard’s keyboards will thrill you to no end; he’s a unique player, to be sure… the entire orchestra is within his range, & jazz combos are a breeze – especially on tunes like the totally bluesy “The Folks Who Live On The Hill“, by Jerone Kern… you get the full spectrum/range on just one 7-minute tune. It was the 4:51 “East West” that grabbed my ears & immediately voted to make this track my favorite of the nine offered up. As a keyboard player, I can tell you (without qualification) that Howard is one of the best pianists I’ve heard. I give him 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
Shirazette Tinnin – HUMILITY – PURITY OF MY SOUL: Through my contact with Mimi Jones, I’ve been very fortunate in receiving many of the HOT TONE Records releases she’s promoting…. one of the hottest of those is Shirazette’s new release – her drum work is total talent, and about as tasty as you can imagine. I listened to “Passion Dance” over & over (& over) again! You owe it to your ears (not to mention your soul & your spirit) to get this album, so you can groove right along (as did I) on splendid cuts like the excellent “The Warmest Season” – this was my personal favorite of the nine pieces offered up for your musical enlightenment… I give this one my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ’ (energy quotient) rating of (a perfect) 5.00 – which means it also gets the “PICK” of this issue for “best percussion-led jazz”. Get more information at the Hot Tone Records page for Shirazette. Rotcod Zzaj
David Fathead Newman – CELLAR GROOVE: David’s in absolutely fine form on this nine-song show… of course, since I grew up on players like him, I had no doubt pieces like his rendition of “A Night In Tunisia” would be fantastic. His tenor & alto sax work are totally astounding, not to mention the flute work he does. Tilden Webb does piano, Jodi Proznick is on bass & Jesse Cahill plays drums – & when you hear their talent on tunes like the opening title track, “Cellar Groove“, you’ll know why I’m so happy to have this CD in for review.. jazz just doesn’t get any better than this. David is definitely the king of cool jazz & a real gentleman to boot – I give him & his high-energy crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at David’s pages for this CD. Rotcod Zzaj
Art Lillard’s On Time Band – IT’S TIME: Readers who have been with me for a long time know that I prefer submissions from artists who are promoting their own work… & Art’s 15-song excursion is right up there with the pros, no doubt. Tunes like Charlie Mingus’s “Goodbye Porkpie Hat” get the inspiration flowing, and originals like Art’s “If I Can” let you know that Art & his crew definitely can! He’s got quite a crew… Art on drums, Marco Panascia on acoustic bass, Jon Davis on piano &
Danny Walsh playing soprano, alto & tenor sax. High-talent music like (my personal favorite) “Incognito“, another Lillard original, let you know that jazz is still alive & very, VERY well! I give Art & his pals a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Art’s website (& be sure to tell him you read about him here). Rotcod Zzaj
Perry Beekman – BEWITCHED: Perry’s vocal/piano tribute to Rodgers & Hart is on target, to be sure… the opener, as you might expect, clips right along with that ol’ hep-scat jump stuff – “I Wish I Were In Love Again“. The style is pretty close to lounge lizard, & in certain moods, that perks my interest. I found “Spring Is Here” smooth & silky enough to make it my favorite track of the fifteen offered up – just be sure you’ve got your gin & tonic (or whatever) in a BIG pitcher, ‘coz that’s a lot of songs, eh? I give Perry & his crew a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for folks who followed Ol’ Blue Eyes & his crew. “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.95. Get more information at Perry’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Andrew Hadro – FOR US, THE LIVING: Andrew’s strong bari sax leads this effort, with drummer Matt Wilson, Pianist Carmen Staaf, and Bassist Daniel Foose joining him… nothing conveys the sense of power that jazz inherently can have more than the deep and energetic tones that Andrew conveys on the wonderful opener, “Allegrecia“! As you might imagine from the title, “Cotton“, this tune “gentles it back” a bit – but Andrew’s reeds still (definitely) let you know they’re right there. The most impressive tune of the 10 offered up, for this listener, anyway, was the heavy-duty closer, “Hurricane Sandy“… though it’s the shortest piece on the CD, it’s the one that stuck in my mind. I give Andrew & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Andrew’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Ellen Rowe Quintet – COURAGE MUSIC: Ellen’s keyboard mastery is often listened to here; we reviewed her in issue 103. We were impressed then and are again… she’s got trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (another of our favorite players) on this one, and the sheer talent is totally evident on pieces like the 6:15 “All Of You“! Another beautiful tune is the stunning opener, “Circle of Life“… this will impress you & I can guarantee that you’ll be spinning it over & over again. My personal favorite of the 10 offered up was “Summit Dog“… tough stuff with lots of great energy! I give Ellen & crew (saxophonist and clarinetist Andrew Bishop, bassist Kurt Krahnke and drummer Pete Siers) a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at Ellen’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Connie Crothers Quartet – DEEP FRIENDSHIP: Here’s a 2010 release from Connie (piano) & her long-time collaborators (Richard Tabnik, alto saxophone; Roger Mancuso, drums & Ken Filiano, bass)… you can listen to the title track, “Deep Friendship“, by clicking on the link (unfortunately, I couldn’t find any other samples on AMAZON or CD BABY, though there may be more on YOUTUBE). The recording is very well-done, especially considering that it’s a live show. Of the five rather long tunes offered up, it was actually the title track that my ears gave the most attention to, & is therefore my favorite. Another example of Connie’s excellent musicianship, and a great CD to have in your collection. I give this one a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. You can purchase the CD by visiting the release page at Connie’s site. Rotcod Zzaj
Tim Hegarty – TRIBUTE: Unfortunately (for me), this is my first listen to Tim’s splendid tenor/soprano sax work; but it won’t be my last, I can tell you that. This cat is energy personified! He’s joined by some very distinguished players – MARK SHERMAN on vibraphone; Kenny Barron on piano; Rufus Reid on bass & Carl Allen on drums, & they COOK! The opener alone makes the listen well worth it – “A New Blue” is some of the finest/strongest jazz I’ve heard (yet) in 2014. I totally dug the laid-back & bluesy groove on “Low Profile“, & have no doubt you will too. My personal favorite, though, was the alleycat vibe established on “Amsterdam After Dark” – in fact, it sounds just like I remember it from my years there (back in the ’70’s… lol). I give Tim & his famous crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the Miles High label site. Rotcod Zzaj
Sara Serpa/Andre Matos – PRIMAVERA: We’ve reviewed Sara’s vocal work in different settings (like with Ran Blake), but this is the first time we’ve heard Andre’s guitar working with her… an absolutely spellbinding blend, I’ll tell you! Tunes like the wonderfully flowing “Caminho” will take you to other regions and aural adventures. Greg Osby’s soprano sax on “Choro” is totally excellent! It was a new experience for me, & that’s saying something, since I listen to the newest of music every day of the year. I was particularly impressed with “Nuvem“; it’s my personal favorite of the 14 tracks offered up. Great jazz with new twists that gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. I can say with certainty that you’ll be hearing much, MUCH more from Ms. Serpa! Get more information at Sara’s web page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
Industrial Revelation – OAKHEAD: If “new & exciting” is something you’re seeking diligently in your musical experience, I can tell you that this group is IT, folks! Tunes like the rabble-rousing “The Lake” will smoke yer’ socks & set yer’ mind on fire! What’s key about this great jazz quartet is that they’re playing music today that will set the standard for tomorrow. I had the privilege of hearing them live at Rhythm & Rye, & dashed off a LIVE SHOW review immediately, & I can tell you, that doesn’t happen often… usually, I want to hear the band a couple of times before writing about them (look for an upcoming INTERVIEW with them, too). My personal favorite on this outing was the totally moving, as in rhythm, “PlaceSaver“… every beat, every note is “right on time”! I give these folks (D’Vonne Lewis – drums; Evan Flory-Barnes – upright bass; Ahamefule J. Oluo – trumpet; Josh Rawlings – piano / fender rhodes) a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 5.00, which means they also get the “PICK” of this issue for “best original music” Get more info about the band at the Industrial Revelation site (& tell them we sent you)! Rotcod Zzaj
Jeremy Wilms – DIAMOND PEOPLE: Diamonds, yes; albeit “in the rough”… Jeremy’s compositions here are full of high-energy & display ultra-high talent & love for the music. His guitar just SMOKES on “Alphaville” – this definitely falls into my “favorite tunes of the year” playlist. Every little nuance will reveal facets of Jeremy’s abilities – to say I’m “highly impressed” is understating it by a lot – this work is phenomenal! The drum work on “Blues for Kinah” is truly better than anything else you’ll hear on the scene right now…. KILLER stuff! The most brilliant light, for this reviewer anyway (& my favorite of the eight tunes offered up) is “Clone Village“… tosses traditionalists right on their heads; which I believe was the intent of the piece – lol. If you’re seeking out what the next wave will be, this is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and I’m giving it an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 5.00 – which means that it gets the “PICK” of this issue for “most innovative jazz”! Get more information on Jeremy and his music at his website. Rotcod Zzaj
Omit Five – SPEAK RANDOM: What a great title for this improv/contemporary set… jazzers who want the high energy of improvised, yet want some recognizable “form” will totally dig this, especially tunes like “Anni Luce“. For listeners who want the “cool” to also be a part of the experience, I’ve no doubt that pieces like “I Wanna Feel Nasty” will fill the bill (some excellent bass & guitar on this one, too). My personal favorite of the thirteen performances was “Family“, which swirls with the same emotions you experience with that unit. This great Italian quintet gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from these ol’ ears, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at the SLAM label page for this CD. Rotcod Zzaj
Maureen Kennedy – OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Right where all the great bluesy jazz comes from – the shadowy corners… just scope out her sultry jazz vocal on “A Ship Without A Sail“, and you’ll know why I dug her music. “Cloudy Morning” feels just like the days of spring in the Northwest, & will (actually) elevate your mood… Maureen surely knows how to dress up a song so it makes you feel good. It was the laid-back & bluesy approach on Maureen’s performance of “I’m Just A Lucky So and So” that won my vote for favorite of the thirteen too-cool tracks! There are so many lady jazz singers out there that it’s often hard to distinguish between them, but Maureen’s style and cool make me declare her album to be MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED; “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.97. Get more information at Maureen’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Bob Gluck – TROPELETS: A decided change of pace here… Bob’s piano work is always welcomed here… rich with layers, & on this outing, he has Andrew Sterman on soprano sax to make the songs come to life – & do they ever! Just listen to the opener, “Jeremiah Speaks“, to get an idea of the creativity your mind is going to be exposed to on this dozen-song opus. If you’re a hardcore “traditional” jazz listener, you may move on right now… what you’ll hear is all original & played with the utmost vibrancy… my personal favorite of the “tropes” (chants of biblical texts) was “Esther’s Story“, which will assault all your senses (albeit in a great way). Bob & Andrew get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for listeners who demand creativity; “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.98. Get more information on purchasing this great CD at the Ictus Records label site. Rotcod Zzaj
Machine Mass feat Dave Liebman – INTI: I’ve listened to & reviewed Dave Liebman in many different settings, but I can tell you honestly that this is the most unique and enjoyable outing I’ve heard him in (yet). Machine Mass is Michael Delville on guitar/Roland GR-09/electronics; Tony Bianco doing drums/loops/percussion & Dave does soprano & tenor sax/wooden flute. Together, they explore the outer reaches of the sonic universe, especially on tracks like the penetrating/mesmerizing “A Sight“! There’s little hushed on tunes like the magnificent “In A Silent Way“… but, it’s the quirky beats & solid rhythmic changes on “Lloyd“: that get my vote as personal favorite of the 9 offered up for your intergalactic explorations… pure fury of a sort different from anything you’ve ever listened to. I give this excellent combo a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at the Moonjune Records page for this release! Rotcod Zzaj
Jon Lundbom and Big V Chord – LIVEREVIL: Any music from Jon’s excellent jazz guitar is always placed in the review queue… there’s nothing of his I haven’t liked ever since I reviewed him the first time (way back) in issue 98. It’s a double album, too, so tunes like the opener, “The Difference“, are only the start of a most stimulating listening session (be sure to do this one with your headphones on, at least the first time around. All the tunes are long, so you’ll get a full dose of this superb group; especially on tunes like my own favorite, the 12:31 “Our Sun“… everything is there… moods, emotions & dense portrayals of some of the best jazz you’ll hear these days. I give Jon & crew (Jon Irabagon on alto and soprano saxophones, Bryan Murray doing tenor and balto! saxophones, Matt Kanelos on keyboard, Moppa Elliott on bass and Dan Monaghan doing drums) a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for dedicated jazz fans, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99. Get more information at Jon’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Bob Ardern: CRAFTSMAN: Eleven excellently executed tunes, & one bonus track, will convince you of Bob’s skill like nothing else could. I reviewed his first CD in issue 124, and was very impressed with his acoustic guitar work on that one. This new CD uses tunes like “Pipe Dream” to entice your ears, then moves on to pieces like the lovely “Keep It Simple” to keep you enchanted. My own personal favorite was the 5:51 “Paso Doble“… I haven’t heard a Spanish-type guitar work this inspirational in many years! Of course, with that many tunes (most of them over 4 minutes long), you may find something you like better. I give Bob a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this great guitar experience, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at Bob’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Rebekah Bell – TO WATCH OVER ME: Rebekah fills up your listening plate with solid jazz vocals, many of which will stay with you for a long time to come. Pieces like “Blame It On My Youth” show her vocal talent to be full and rich – the kind that you’ll quickly learn to remember! She’s a full-time school teacher who loves all kinds of music… her soulful rendition of “Oh Darling” hits the mark, & that organ is killer, for sure. Her voice just bubbles with enthusiasm for what she’s doing, especially on pieces like (my personal favorite) “God Bless The Child“… she makes this old song her own, & I totally dug it. I give Rebekah & crew a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at Rebekah’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
Ryman Fanous – Jason Kao Hwang – ZILZAL: I never would have realized it, except for the one-sheet – but the CD title is the Arabic word for earthquake… guitar (Ryman) and violin/viola (Jason) like you’ve never heard fused together before. Pieces like “DNA: Messenger, The Message” will bring that home to you after the first note… intricate weaving and colossal impacts on your listening experience. I’ve been reviewing “different” music by Jason for many years now, though this is my first exposure to his work with Ryman; tunes like “Lapwing” (my favorite of the 9 offered up) will move your mind & shake your soul. I give this fantastic duo a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, particularly for those enchanted with improvised music, and an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. Get more information at the CD Universe page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
Tyler Blanton – GOTHAM: Vibist Tyler Blanton is joined by saxophonist Donny McCaslin, drummer Nate Wood and bassist Matt Clohesy on this most exciting & highly innovative musical experience for the listener! Six absolutely tasty morsels that give quite a bit of insight into his residency in NYC…. pieces like the 9:35 “Freaky Dream” are elegant, yet full of life & vigor for living it! I reviewed his original CD, “Botanic”, in issue 110, & predicted that you’d be hearing much more from him! This new release, & pieces like my personal favorite, the dynamic “Cogs“, amplify that even further for me…. you’ll hear this cat again (many times; in fact, I think you’ll be seeking his music out)! I give Tyler & his pals a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 on this outing. Get more information about the CD, & listen to samples of four of the songs, at Tyler’s SOUNDCLOUD page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
Anna Danes – LONGING: Just imagine yourself in a splendorous cabaret, with Anna as the vocal star… now you add in her wonderful jazz-oriented vocals, & you’ve got a night on the town you’ll never forget! Pieces like the sentimental closer, “I Wish You Love“, will transport you to new dimensions in the love spectrum. Anna’s rendition of “Killing Me Softly” will bring back memories, perhaps both good & not so… may even bring a tear to your eye. Though her pace is a bit slower than I’m used to on “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars Corcovado“, it was my favorite of the dozen offered up. I give Anna a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at Anna’s web page for this CD. Rotcod Zzaj