EDITOR'S PICK - NOV '16 With Third Ward Stories Houston native Jason Hainsworth continues the longstanding tradition of the Texas Tenors, an esteemed group of raw, hard-blowing saxophonists from the Lone Star State who pioneered a robust fusion of swing, bebop, r&b and blues. Among its figureheads are Illinois Jacquet, David "Fathead" Newman, King Curtis, Arnett Cobb and Buddy Tate, and on his latest album, Hainsworth makes himself... read more
4 1/2 STARS Growing up under the weight of communism in Poland in the late '60s and early '70s, Joachim Mencel dreamed of the freedoms and wonders of America. Stateside relatives sent food parcels, offering him his first tastes of Hershey's chocolate and the inviting aromas of Maxwell House coffee; and Polish public radio station Trójka filled his ears with jazz, gifting the sounds of Miles Davis, among other greats. By the time Mencel... read more
Jeff Johnson exudes an effervescent warmth from the bass. Utilizing both upright and electric, the Seattle veteran's approach is both intriguing and enticing. His latest for Origin Records, Suitcase, is a musical journal of sorts, with original pieces inspired by a career of travels and diverse experiences. Long-time collaborator Hans Teuber, who takes up saxophone, bass clarinet and alto flute on the session, is a sensitive interpreter who... read more
4-STARS While percussionist Michael Waldrop's previous work under the umbrella of the Origin imprint was firmly set in the jazz camp, with a pair of big band bonanzas and a magnetic trio date to his name and credit, this set typically moves beyond those borders, often offering an intriguing world music slant on contemporary classical percussion. Highlighting Waldrop's marimba (and vibraphone and drum set) work in a wide variety of... read more
Jerry Heldman plays bass, piano, flute and even throws in some vocals as he leads a rhythmic team of David F risen/b-p, Sam Lipumag and Allan Pimentel/dr through a collection of sessions from the 70s. Because of the age of the sessions, the sound can be a bit thick at times, but the energy is fervent and heart felt. Lyrical pieces such as "Bossa Nova No. 1/Song For Kim" have some deep rivulets of grooves with LIpuma's guitar quite... read more
Jazz vibraphonist Joe Locke tackles big concepts with his music, so it's not surprising that he describes his latest work, "Subtle Disguise," as the "total expression of who I am as a musician and human being." It also probably unavoidable that such an admittedly autobiographical concept would also touch upon life in America in 2018.
Those are good reasons why Locke's latest effort, which will be released on Origin Records next week, is so... read more
A rich mix of duets between Hans Teuber/ts-as-fl and bassist Jeff Johnson make for a rich of space and lyricism. The collection of originals and standards keeps the interest level high, as the team's "Hopi Dream" is a gorgeously wide spacious work of flute and bass that strikes up images of Monument Valley, while Johnson's fingerwork lays down a hip lick for Teurber's tenor on " Hot Rod." Some rich bowing lays down a rice pilaf on "What's New"... read more
Fans of hard-hitting, finely-crafted post-Bop will want to check into "Parallel Lives," the first release from tenor sax player Rob Lockart.
With support from an A-list cast of characters this veteran of big bands, ranging from Woody Herman to Doc Severinsen and Tom Harrell to Chris Walden, shows that he's equally at home generating heat in a quartet setting.
The collection of eight songs, six of them original, are not simply an excuse to... read more
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Brad Goode - The Unknown
by Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist
Michael Dease - The Other Shoe: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Ted Panken, All About Jazz
Rich Thompson - Who Do You Have to Know?
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Shawn Purcell - 180
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
Shawn Purcell - 180
by Bob Weinberg, Jazziz
Naama Liany - Daydream
by Alban Deags, Classique News
Rich Thompson - Who Do You Have to Know?
by George W Harris, JazzWeekly
Anthony Branker & Imagine - What Place Can Be for Us?
by Philip Booth, Jazzlands
Anthony Branker & Imagine - What Place Can Be for Us?
by Jan Hocek, His Voice (Czech Republic)