Freedom Suite - Sonny Rollins (Riverside) Sonny, needless to say, is one of the most lyrical jazz tenor saxophonists. When he plays in trio format you can easily hear how he continuously states and develops new melodies/themes. This recording is killin'!! Talking Book - Stevie Wonder (Motown) Everybody loves the songwriting and singing of Stevie Wonder. This is one of my favorite recordings of his. Stevie's use of analog synthesizers is out of this world, so is Jeff Beck's guitar solo on "Lookin' For Another Pure Love"!! Coltrane - John Coltrane (Impulse) The cats in this quartet were always playin' as if it was their last day of existence. McCoy, Jimmy, Elvin & JC never had trouble getting into "THE ZONE". They make me feel like playin', no matter what mood I'm in! Especially on "Out of This World". Big Boi & Dre Present... - Outkast (Artista) This recording just lays out the history and development of Outkast, as well as develpoment of Hip-Hop from the mid-nieties to now. This CD is a synopsis of their entrancing hooks, riffs and beats. They've got everything in their music - Funk, Soul, Jazz, Blues- it's all there. The Nurturer - Geri Allen (Blue Note) Geri nows how to bring the sound out that piano, and I like her compostions. The rhythm section is kilin' - Tain, Hurst. Revolution of the Mind - James Brown (Polydor) What could I possibly say that you haven't heard about James Brown. FUNKY indeed!! Cross Country Tour - Ahmad Jamal Trio (MCA) To continue my fascination with cats that make the piano sing, I have to mention Ahmad Jamal. I love records that I can listen to all the way through. And, there's a bonus - a second CD of one of the greatest piano trios. Check out how they start "The Party's Over"!! No matter what beat they start on, they are swingin' the crap out those great songs. He's Coming - Roy Ayers (Polydor) Listening to Roy makes me wish I could have existed in the 70's. I was born in '79, so this is all I can experience of that time. My favorite track is "We Live in Brooklyn, Baby". the Complete Columbia Studio Recordings - Miles Davis Quintet (Columbia) I just want to thank Miles, Wayne, Herbie, Ron, and Tony. What a gift they are to the world! Lucky Strikes - Lucky Thompson (Prestige) Lucky's sound is gorgeous. I like the soprano sax when it is played as a seperate entity from the alto and tenor, rather than an extension of those horns.

In his early twenties, tenor & soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland is a significant contributor to the fertile jazz scene of New York. With a gorgeous tone and unabashed command of both his instrument & linear expression, the sax man demands the listener's attention. Since his appearance in "The City" in 1997, Marcus has shared the stage and recorded with jazz musicians of an elite proportion.