Friday, March 05, 2010

Tobias Gebb and Unit 7
Free At Last
(Yummyhouse)

 
Free At Last, the latest from drummer and composer Tobias Gebb, blends a first class roster of musicians with an energetic mix of originals and classics to great creative effect. For example, it's not often that you hear a sitar (performed by Neel Murgai) in a jazz context, as is the case on his swinging, James Bond-ish arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's "Tomorrow Never Knows". There are equally clever renditions of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Softly As In A Morning Contemplation". Gebbs own pieces leans towards the upbeat as heard on "Spitball" and "Blues For Drazen", with "My Love" and the title track (dedicated to Barack Obama) on the more mellow side. Besides Gebbs stellar drumwork and writing, one can't help but take note of the tight sound of the horn section. With the seasoned talents of Bobby Watson, Ron Blake, Joel Frahm and Stacy Dillard on saxophone, as well Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and flugelhorn, it can't help but be great. They join Ugonna Okegwo and Neal Miner on basses, along with Eldad Zvulun on piano. The combination of all these elements makes Free At Last, a quality listening experience.

Click here to listen to a clip of "Spitball".

Tracks: Blues For Drazen, My Love, Spitball, You Don't Know What Love Is, Bop Be Dop, Free At Last, Softly As In A Morning Contemplation, Tomorrow Never Knows.

 

Friday, February 26, 2010

Gerald Clayton
Two-Shade
(Emarcy Records)

 
The word "inventiveness" comes to mind when you hear pianist Gerald Clayton's work on Two-Shade, his debut recording as a leader. Clayton applies creative voicing and effects to create a different kind of jazz piano experience. Whether on uptempo numbers or more laidback tunes, Clayton's playing has a syncopated, percussive rhythm that is fascinating to the ear. The result is an engaging blend of moods that moves from solo settings to kinetic trio work with drummer Justin Brown and bassist Joe Sanders.  Having played for years with the likes of Roy Hargrove, Hank Jones, and the Clayton Brothers (led by his father and uncle), Two-Shade, which earned Clayton a Grammy nomination this year, is a striking emergence for this 25-year old talent. 

Click here to listen to a clip of "Two Heads One Pillow".

Tracks: Boogablues, Trapped In A Dream, Two Heads One Pillow,  Peace For A Moment, All of You, Interlude - Love All Around, Casiotone Pothole, One Two You, Sunny Day Go, Scrimmage, Interlude - You're Out, Con Alma .

 

Friday, February 19, 2010

Babatunde Lea
Umbo Weti
(Motema Music)

 
Legendary vocalist and composer Leon Thomas, perhaps best known for his collaborations with the great Pharoah Sanders on "The Creator Has A Masterplan", is the inspiration for percussionist and drummer Babatunde Lea's latest musical effort. Lea's connection to Thomas goes back to attending the same church while growing up in Englewood, New Jersey. For this beautiful tribute to the spirit and music of Thomas, Lea chose an ensemble of Ernie Watts on saxophone, Gary Brown on bass, Patrice Rushen on piano, and the powerful vocals of Dwight Tribles more than captures the mesmerizing essence of Thomas. Recorded live at Yoshi's in Oakland, California, this 2-CD set is not only a wonderful tribute to a great artist, but a tremendous work in its own right.  

Click here to listen to a clip of "Prince of Peace".

Tracks: Disc 1: Invocation, Boom Boom, Cousin Mary, Price of Peace, Let The Rain Fall on Me, Reaching Up, Creator Has A Master Plan.

Disc 2: Umbo Weti, Colors, Sun Song, African Tapestry, Song For My Father. 

 

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tineke Postma
The Traveller
(Etcetera)

 
Besides being an engaging collection of music,The Traveller is an incredible showcase for saxophonist Tineke Postma. The 31-year old Dutch artist composed all but one of the songs on the album (Adagio), while arranging all of the compositions. Postma and a stellar lineup of talent which includes pianist Geri Allen, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington bring a chemistry and respect for each other that comes through in the wonderful performances of this recording, Postma's fourth as a leader. Vocalist Anne Chris adds a contemporary flair to several tracks with her accompaniment of the music. Tineke Postma's award-winning talents as a composer and performer on this project places her in the vanguard of today's great jazz saxophonists.

Click here to listen to a clip of "Song For F".

Tracks: Song For F, The Eye of The Mind, Crazy Stuff, Thin Line, Adagio 13 -- Heitor Villa Lobos, Cabbonal, Motivation, Searching and Finding, YWC.

 

Friday, February 05, 2010

Keith Jarrett
Paris/London Testament
(ECM Records)

 
Is it possible to tire of Keith Jarrett's incredible pianissimo? Not likely. Paris/London Testament is a 3-disc documentation of his virtuosity and genius as an improvisational composer, bringing no pre-arranged music, while exploring, and finding, beautiful, new musical ideas in front of a live audience. The Paris concert was recorded at the Salle Playel on November 26, 2008, while the London concert recorded a few days later on December 1 at Royal Festival Hall marked Jarrett's return to London after an absence of many years. The suite of performances are truly a testament to the continuing brilliance of an incredible musical artist.  

Click here to listen to a clip of "Part VII: Salle Pleyel, Paris".


Tracks: Not traditionally titled.

 

Friday, January 29, 2010

David Sanborn
Only Everything
(Decca Records)

 
The songs and performances that the late Ray Charles made great are the inspiration for alto saxophonist David Sanborn's latest recording,Only Everything. Sanborn and legendary producer Phil Ramone have teamed up again to take on a collection of classic songs like, "Let The Good Time Roll" and "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home", assembing a mega-talent lineup to give them a solid spin. Hammond B-3 organ impressario Joey DeFrancesco is joined by drumming great Steve Gadd as the core of a powerhouse rhythm section. A backing horn collective, which includes Bob Malach on tenor sax and Mike Davis on bass trombone, add even more fire to the proceedings. Featured on "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", one of the album's two vocals, is the iconic James Taylor (Gee, too bad they couldn't get anybody,right?). While all this is going on, Sanborn is out front sounding like a million bucks on a project that does the legacy of Brother Ray proud.

Click here to listen to a clip of "The Peeper".

Tracks: The Peeper, Only Everything, Hard Times, Let The Good Times Roll, Baby Won't You Please Come Home, You've Changed, Hallelujah, I Love Her So, Blues In The Night.

 

Friday, January 22, 2010

Oscar Feldman
Oscar e Familia
(Sunnyside Music)


Saxophonist Oscar Feldman has produced a spirited and enjoyable work of latin jazz artistry with his latest recording, Oscar e Familia. The album is comprised mostly of songs that Feldman wrote. He dedicates many of the album's ten tracks to members of his family. The album is the beneficiary of some great musical performances and talents like drummer Antonio Sanchez, saxophonist Mark Turner, Manuel Valera on keyboards and piano Diego Urcola on trumpet and Pernell Saturino on percussion. The inclusion of the Cuartetango String Quartet on the session is a very nice addition on this funky, swinging, and, at times, soothing musical collection.

Click here to listen to a clip of "Mrs. Tangoholic".


Tracks: Mrs. Tangoholic, The Improvisers, So Tenderlee, Oscar e familia, Coco Da Bahia, New Tango, Triunfal, El Minotauro, Children of the Night, Peace To Find.

 

Friday, January 08, 2010

Dana Hall
Into The Light

(Origin Records)

 
On a work of musical art that features the seasoned jazz talents of trumpeter Terrell Stafford, pianist Bruce Barth, saxophonist Tim Warfield, Jr. and bassist Rodney Whitaker, Chicago-based Dana Hall's stellar drum work makes it audibly clear that he is the engine of this recording. Not only is Hall's masterful playing front and center, so too are his mad talents as a composer, as he wrote all but three of the songs on this project, all of which hold up to anything that has come down the jazz assembly line in years. Into The Light, a satisfying blend of Hall's love for jazz and fusion, is his first, giving music lovers good reason to look forward to the future of this brilliant musical author.

Click here to listen to a clip of "For Rockelle".

Tracks: I Have a Dream, Conversion Song, Orchids, Into The Light, Black Mountain, The Path to Love, Jabali, For Rockelle, Tin Soldiers