Articles by John Patten

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Larry Carlton Revisits Sounds of Philadelphia

by John Patten
March 11, 2011

Soulful sounds may have started in Motown or Memphis, but for many, it's the sounds of Philadelphia that captured their hearts. That's certainly the case for Larry Carlton, who released a collection of the biggest hits penned by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff on his 335 Records label, in February, 2011. Many of the songs were Top 10 hits by groups including The Spinners and The Stylistics, along with hits by other classic vocal groups.

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Posi-Tone Records: Creating a New Iconic Catalogue

by John Patten
February 16, 2011

When Posi-Tone Records founder Marc Free was growing up, he looked forward to each new record purchase, cherishing the cover artwork, devouring the liner notes and most of all, feasting on the music. He came to love the music and albums issued by iconic labels such as Blue Note and Impulse!, knowing that even if he hadn't heard of the artist, it was likely to be a quality recording by a great musician.And when Free launched Posi-Tone in ...

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Jeff Berlin: Still the Ace of Bass

by John Patten
August 16, 2010

Through the course of a four-decade career, Jeff Berlin has refused to end his musical quest. He crafted a popping, percussive style so thoroughly ingrained in the recordings of the 1980s, it's nearly ubiquitous. His work with Bill Bruford, whom he met during a stint with Yes, led to further innovations in playing.More recently, he's been developing a contrapuntal style of playing that allows him to approach bass guitar as a pianist, adding harmony and melody to his ...

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Ralph Bowen: Due Reverence

by John Patten
May 14, 2010

Saxophonist Ralph Bowen's Due Reverence is a too-short set of tributes to horn players who've made an impression on Bowen. The five tunes were written in the styles of players Ted Dunbar, Bob Mintzer, James Scott, Phil Nimmons and Robert Dick.Bowen gets backing from a strong quartet--Sean Jones on trumpet, Adam Rogers on guitar, John Patitucci on bass and Antonio Sanchez on drums. The combination of competently-crafted tunes from Bowen (director of jazz ensembles at Rutgers), played by ...

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N. Glenn Davis: Come Right In

by John Patten
February 13, 2010

The N. Glenn Davis Quartet resurrects the sound of classic bebop on Come Right In, presenting a set of 10 tunes arranged by Davis, three enhanced by saxophone giant Phil Woods.

Woods plays magnificently on two Davis originals--the opening “A Different Day" and “Just a Tadd," as well as “If You Could See Me Now." Never at a loss for the right phrase or variation, his playing flows through several choruses on each tune. Woods may ...

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Worst Pop Band Ever: Dost Thou Believeth in Science?

by John Patten
February 1, 2010

The Worst Pop Band Ever may not live up to its name, but this Canadian combo is working hard to produce some innovative sounds melding jam-band jazz with sound effects, courtesy of turntablist Leo37, on Dost Thou Believeth in Science?. The release features nine original compositions and makes use of Leo37's skills to varying degrees. Bassist Drew Birston and drummer Tim Shia sets up the soloists--keyboardist Dafydd Hughes and saxophonist Chris Gale--admirably throughout; the band has been together for awhile, ...

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Royce Campbell: The Art of Chord Solo Guitar

by John Patten
January 10, 2010

Royce Campbell's The Art of Chord Solo Guitar extends his considerable collection of solo guitar releases, this time working on a series of standard tunes.

Campbell's extensive résumé includes stints with everyone from Marvin Gaye and Eddie Harris to Henry Mancini, and it's clear he's used his professional time to gain the skills necessary to create interesting and fresh arrangements on these tunes. Harmonizing such pearls as “In a Sentimental Mood" or “The Girl from Ipanema" requires an ...

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Eric Harland: Searching the Patterns in Life

by John Patten
January 5, 2010

Drummer Eric Harland is between gigs, just back from a dates and clinics in Japan and getting ready to head to Europe. He's got new recordings out with several bands-- including the Charles Lloyd Quartet, The Monterey Quartet with Dave Holland and Jason Moran--and a handful of compositions to get recorded with his own group.But then, in a way, this was foretold by an eight year-old Harland to his mother. --->“She said I told ...

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Big Train: Travels

by John Patten
September 25, 2009

Big Train, a quartet composed of pianist Jeremy Bacon, drummer Jeff Ballard, saxophonist Justin Flynn and bassist Ugonna Okegwo, showcase nine original compositions on Travels, with songwriting duties split between Bacon and Flynn.This third recording shows Big Train to be full of flexibility, tackling complex rhythms while still swinging strongly throughout.

Flynn gets a lot of work on the release, stating most of the heads and generally getting the first solos. He's got the chops for ...

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Louis Hayes: The Time Keeper

by John Patten
August 6, 2009

If drummer Louis Hayes intended to recreate the classic sounds of, well, Louis Hayes recordings on The Time Keeper, he succeeded. In a set of tunes that includes two penned by Hayes, two by saxophonist Abraham Burton, and two by pianist Horace Silver for good measure, Hayes reminds why he's been a leader--and a leading sideman--for so many years.

As a time keeper, Hayes is impeccable. Never as boisterous as Art Blakey or as subtle as Philly Joe ...