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New Jazz Adds – 11/13/2018

Alyssa Allgood –Exactly Like You (Cellar Music): Alyssa Allgood offers what appears to be her second release and she seems to have all bases covered! Her vocals on this disc are simply amazing as she shifts from scats to vocalese and from classics like McHugh and Fields “Exactly Like You” and “Van Heusen and Delange’s “Darn That Dream” to Lee Morgan’s “Hocus Pocus” and an amazing interpretation of Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite” and then throws in a couple of originals crafted by her and Hammond B3 player Dan Chase. Their interaction is completely solid in every way. Guitarist Kyle Asche and drummer Greg Artry round out the group beautifully. Allgood truly stands out amongst the many vocalists in the jazz community – old or new. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Eden Bareket Trio – Night (Fresh Sound): Eden Bareket (bari sax, bass clarinet) has made a striking impact in the New York jazz scene with his versatility and his eclectic tastes and style. His backing on this disc, his third, is provided by Or Bareket (bass) and Felix Lecaros (drums). The sound is familiar and yet unique. It is also melodic but sometimes edgy. Click here and scroll down until you see “Audio”. Then click on “Birds” and any of the other listings after that to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.     Or you might click here to watch a live performance of “Night Creatures”, a song on this disc. 

Michael Dease – Bonafide (Posi-Tone): Trombone player Michael Dease has been quite prolific and this disc is a great example of his success. The man is nothing if not flexible! He notes on the jacket that “BONAFIED begins with my producer for several years, Marc Free of Posi-Tone Records presenting this title and theme to me as a reflection of my commitment to the future of straight-ahead jazz music. For my part, I composed and selected these songs as a modern testament to the life-changers and truth-tellers in the jazz world….I recorded these performances with both eyes towards authenticity, not trying to be something I’m not, and reacting in the moment with contemporary responses to enduring questions without recreating the past.” (Liner notes) Dease wrote five of the songs on this release and selected six others, including the opener by pianist David Hazeltine. Other selections were Phineas Newborn Jr’s “Theme For Basie”, Sonny Rollins’ “Tenor Madness” and JJ Johnson’s “In Walked Wayne” among others, maintaining the original goal. Other musicians performing are Marshall Gilkes, Conrad and Conrad Herwig (trombones), Gina Benalcazar (bass trombone), Sam Dillon, (tenor sax), Good Coolman (bass) and E.J. Strickland (drums). The ‘bones rule in majestic waves and prompt everyone to hit the highs. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Fareed Haque & Kaia String Quartet – New Latin American Music For Guitar And String Quartet (Delmark): Guitarist Fareed Haque has been exposed to many musical styles from around the world since he was born. His began playing guitar prior to adulthood and his passion is blend various styles of music. While in college, Haque met “multi-instrumentalist Howard Levy and joined his latin-fusion group Chevere. Through Levy Haque was introduced to Paquito D’Rivera and began a long and fruitful relationship….” (https://www.fareed.com/bio.html)  Since then, he has experimented with a wide array of music blends. This disc pairs Haque with the Kaia String Quartet, featuring Victoria Moreira and Naomi Culp (violins), Amanda Grimm (viola) and Hope Sheperd (cello) and the result is a cool and beautiful blend of jazz, Latino and chamber music. This disc is recommended for jazz, classical and world music fans. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.   

David Hazeltine – The Time Is Now (Smoke Sessions): Veteran pianist David Hazleton is a titan among titans in the jazz trio community. He has performed with a vast array of jazz greats over the years and this time around, he recorded with Ron Carter (bass) and Al Foster (drums). Their interaction is wonderful. Hazeltine composed six of the eleven songs in the set while the rest are mostly delightful songs from the Great American Songbook. The program is sweet and swings with delight. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Lawful Citizen – Internal Combustion (Evan Shay): Here’s a trip to the other side of melodiousness. Internal Combustion, based in Montreal, describes their music as “Fueled by a fiery vision, the music takes a deep journey through the entire spectrum of human emotion. This album is influenced by the history of the internal combustion engine, particularly in the early days of motorcycle racing and land speed record attempts. The feeling of grit, brutality and rawness, along with the entire sensory experience surrounding the extreme danger were the largest inspirations for this music.” (http://www.lawfulcitizenmusic.com/#about) The leader and composer of music is tenor sax player Evan Shay. The other band members are Aime Duquet (guitar), Antoine Pelegrin (electric bass) and Kyle Hutchins (drums). They also describe their music as a combination of jazz, metal, electronic, and Americana. Click here and scroll up to listen to “Internal Combustion”, a song from this release.   

Joe Magnarelli Quintet – If You Could See Me Now (Cellar Live): Trumpet/flugelhorn player Joe Magnarelli, a veteran jazz man who played and recorded with Lionel Hampton and Brother Jack McDuff in the 1980s and began releasing his own recordings in 1994. He has also recorded with Ray Barretto and many more and has served as an adjunct professor at the Juilliard School of Music and Rutgers University. This disc honors the music of Todd Dameron with Magnarelli performing live with Ralph Moore (tenor sax), Anthony Wonsey (piano), Dezron Douglas (bass) and George Fludas (drums). All of the songs were composed by Dameron. It’s a delightful performance that honors Dameron wonderfully. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Volcano Radar – Paquito Libre (Delmark): Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet, alto sax) has merged with the group Volcano Radar to create some new and amazing free jazz. The leaders of the group are Elbio Barilari (electric guitar and bass, electric viola, flugelhorn, Fender Rhodes, berimbau, bandoneon, bass clarinet, flugelhorn) and Julia A. Miller (guitar synth, electric guitar, electric bass); and their cohorts are Rollo Radford (bass), Ernie Adams (drums) and Darwin Noguera (Hammond B3, piano). The music is somewhat free jazz while being very harmonic as well. There are some outside aspects, but they’re not lethal. It’s certainly worth checking out, even if simply seeking an entry port to more “outside” jazz. This appears to be their second release. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop