New Jazz Adds – 7/21/2018
The Rob Dixon Trio – Coast To Crossroads (Self-produced): Rob Dixon (alto, tenor sax) is a jazz and funk player who joined up with Charlie Hunter (7-string guitar) and Mike Clark (drums) with additional trombone by Ernest Stuart. The combination clearly creates some great flavors in both arenas. Dixon composed nine of the eleven songs on the disc, but the players themselves clearly added their own ideas as the group was laying it down. The style is infectious, lively and delightful. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
J.A.M. – Silent Notes (Red River): Silent Notes appears to be the fourth release by the Japanese jazz group J.A.M. The group is led by pianist Josei and also features double-bassist Akita Goldman and drummer Midorin. The music blends experimental jazz with some elements of funk at times. The group is joined by guitarist/vocalists L. D. Brown on one song and by Jin Oki on another. There is a good bit diversity but the music is quite accessible. Click here to listen to samples of four song on this disc.
Bruce Katz Band – Get Your Groove (American Showplace): Bruce Katz (Hammond B3, piano organ bass) is back with a powerhouse release of blues and rhythm that is fantastic from end to end! In addition to his terrific leads, the band is totally locked in! Katz composed six of the eleven songs and co-wrote three with guitarist Chris Vitarello, who is completely locked in throughout the set. Remaining members of the band are Ray Hangen (drums), Matt Raymond (acoustic & electric bass) and special guest Jai Johanny Johanson aka Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers Band (drums on three songs). The interplay is fantastic and Katz gives what is arguably his best recorded performance ever. Click here and scroll down to listen to the songs on this disc.
Troy Roberts – Nu-Jive Perspective (Self-produced): Composer/sax player Troy Roberts and company offer the fifth release from Roberts, whose sax is smooth, but also jumping and rhythmic as can be. Roberts composed all of the songs on the disc and is accompanied by Tim jags (guitar),Solvano Momasterios (keys), Eric England (bass) and Dave Chriverton (drums). Roberts is a mercurial and funky player and the rest of the band do a great job of blending with him. There’s as much wit and fun in the titles songs like “Fame & Four Tune” and “ Adamant Eve” as there is in the performances themselves. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Bobby Sanabria – West Side Story, Reimagined (Jazzheads): Drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, documentary film maker, and bandleader Bobby Sanabria has re-imagined the musical “West Side Story” with an entirely Latin jazz reworking of the original score. The proceeds from this set will be donated to the fund for Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Fund. There are a few vocals, but this is mostly a Late jazz big band extravaganza. The performance is fresh, enchanting and rock solid. Click here to listen to an introduction to this release.
Radam Schwartz – Two Sides Of The Organ Combo (Arabesque Recordings): B3 player / composer / educator Radam Schwartz offers his latest disc featuring seven originals and his jazz-ivied version of Al Hoffman and John Klenner’s “Heartaches”, Smokey Robinson’s “My Guy” and the Gershwin’s “Summertime”. The accompanying players are Bryan Carrott (vibraphone, tracks 1-5); Mike Lee (tenor sax, tracks 1-5); Anthony Ware (alto sax, tracks 6-10); Marcus Printup (trumpet, tracks 6-8, 10); Charlie Sigler (guitar, tracks 6-10) and Andrew Atkinson (drums). It is a straight ahead performance that adds the color of different shades of instruments. I regret I am unable to find a sample from this disc.
Aaron Shragge & Ben Monder – This World Of Dew (Human Resource): “…defies expectation and avoids guitar-trumpet duet clichés as it delves deeper into that satori place in your brain.” (Bill Mikowski, Jazz Times) Trumpet player Aaron Shragge and guitarist Ben Monder offer an outside, stylized duet. These “…new compositions by Shragge are inspired by the writings of both ancient and modern poets: Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Bashō, Li Po, Nishiyama Sōin and Charles Bukowski.” (liner notes) Click here to listen to songs fro this disc.
Steve Tibbetts – Life Of (ECM): Veteran composer/guitarist/player of exotic instruments such as kendang and kalimba describes his musical compositions as “post modern neo-primitivism”. Tibbetts created his first two releases while in college and has a huge catalog. This is his ninth release on ECM. “Life Of showcases the richness of his Martin 12-string acoustic guitar, along with his gamelan-like piano and artfully deployed field samples of Balinese gongs; the sonic picture also incorporates the sensitive percussion of long-time musical partner Marc Anderson and the almost subliminal cello drones of Michelle Kinney.” (https://www.amazon.com/Life-Steve-Tibbetts/dp/B07C8Q5MPR) It’s beautiful and enchanting. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Trinom 3 – Just A Bit Further (Cellar Live): John Van Tongeren (organ, keys), Mike Clinco (guitars), and Kendall Kay (drums, percussion) are the “3” offering their second release. They also have the support of occasional guests: Bob Sheppard (tenor sax), Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Danny Pelfrey (various saxes). These players are jazzy with more than a touch of blues and some grooving cool and also offer solid rock & jazz numbers along the way. The program is accessible and really cool throughout whether emphasizing the jazz or rocking side. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Tim Warfield – Jazzland (Criss Cross Jazz): Veteran sax man Tim Warfield has many recordings to his credit and this disc is a perfect example why he is so respected. His style is a wonderful – mellow and quite rich, but always ready to turn things up a few notches. “Over the course of 72 minutes, this group of mid-career modern masters offers a state-of-the-art view of inspired 21st century groove-focused improvisation.” (https://www.challengerecords.com/products/15240359288160) I can’t frame it any better! The rest of the players are Pat Bianchi (Hammond B3), Byron “Boogie” Landham (drums), augmented by Daniel Sadownick (percussion) and Terell Stafford (trumpet). It won’t push you into unknown waters, but this is truly fine jazz! Click here to check out the tunes on this disc.
Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth (Young Turks Recordings): “So happy to announce my new project, a double album called ‘Heaven and Earth!’ The Earth side represents the world as I see it outwardly, the world that I am a part of. The Heaven side represents the world as I see it inwardly, the world that is a part of me.” (Kamasi Washington) This new release is intended as a sequel to “The Epic”and like “The Epic” the disc is a combination of the great jazz voyagers like Coltrane but melded with elements of soul, gospel and funk. It is also a three disc composition that requires a deep reflection on all of its messages and styles. Click here for an introduction and interview with Washington.
Cory Weeds Little Big Band – Explosion (Cellar Live): Veteran jazz man Weeds describes himself as a “saxophonist with an expressive sound rooted in Jazz tradition, a label owner tirelessly documenting unsung Jazz heroes, one of Canada’s most important Jazz impresarios….” He also owns and runs Cellar Live recordings and he has been the leader of well over a dozen discs himself. In addition to Weeds (alto sax), the players are Joe Magnarelli and Chris Davis (trumpet), Steve Davis and Rod Murray (trombone), Gary Smulyan (bass), P.J. Perry (alto sax), Steve Kaldestad (tenor sax), Chris Gestrin (piano), Paul Rushka (bass) and Jesse Cahill (drums). Click here for an introduction to this disc by Cory Weeds.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
