By Glenn Astarita
There Goes the Neighborhood
Robert Walter
Premonition Records
Organist/pianist/composer Robert Walter utilizes the talents of famed session musicians--drummer Harvey Mason, bassist Chuck Rainey, guitarist Phil Upchurch, and others--for this tight-knit, in-the-pocket R&B-laden brew. Every tune is a winner as Walter has concocted a superfine program, also featuring the soul-drenched choruses of tenor saxophonist Red Holloway. Sure, there is an abundance of peppery solos and memorably melodic hooks, yet Walter's nicely arranged compositions and tenacious approach comes to the forefront during this thoroughly entertaining program.
Bonemeal--Live at Paula Jean's Supper Club
The Ray Anderson Quartet
Raybone Music
The great jazz trombonist Ray Anderson wears many hats! In addition to performing cerebral free jazz, leading a big band, or enjoying first call session status, the artist is also a proponent of New Orleans style shuffle grooves and the blues. On this release, Anderson makes his trombone howl and groan along with his at times amusing vocal excursions, often brimming with witty lyricism. Bonemeal is a feel good, toss away your inhibitions and let your hair down type affair.
Live at the Rote Fabrik
David Moss Vocal Village Project
Intakt Records
Experimental vocalists David Moss and Phil Minton spearhead a quintet on this 1998 date, recorded live in Zurich, Switzerland. Moss also employs electronics and drums, with others who augment the performances with percussion, additional vocals, and synths. All told, the musicians spin quite a few yarns that either venture into the macabre via voice processing techniques or when perpetuating melodramatic dreamscapes in concert with whimsical passages. Nonetheless, the performers cover a broad spectrum throughout these generally fascinating encounters.
Come Play With Me
Cuong Vu
Knitting Factory Records
Talented New York City-based trumpeter Cuong Vu's second Knitting Factory release could be viewed upon as an extension of his prior effort, featuring more of his bronze-toned lines and implementations of studio EFX. Bassist Stomu Takeishi, and drummer John Hollenbeck once again provide the sturdy foundation amid the trumpeter's soul-searching phraseology and atmospheric choruses. With this outing, the trio melds ambient electronic soundscapes with solid rhythms and reverberating flows.
Trespassing Borders
Various Artists
between the lines
In only a few years, this German modern/free jazz label has already made a venerable impact via widely acclaimed recordings by American and European jazz artists. Trespassing Borders frequently offers a disparate glimpse of the state of modern music. This sampler presents a vibrant mix, culled from previously issued CDs by artists such as saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter Franz Koglmann, guitarist James Emery, and others. But this is not your everyday, hastily assembled sampler. The label provides a museum quality booklet containing a thought provoking essay on avant-garde music by Thomas MieÃÂgang, an interview with James Emery, artist bios, exquisite still life photographs and more. The book spans 179 pages and signifies one of the finest creations this writer has witnessed in years, as the text, photos, and articles augment the musical aura witnessed throughout these twelve pieces. *Streetdate: October 12th, 2001 (Germany) & January 25th, 2002 (USA)
