Articles by Nicholas F. Mondello
Curtis Taylor: Taylor Made
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Taylor Made, from trumpeter, Curtis Taylor, presents seven tracks of fine post hard bop jazz. The music here is intelligent, inviting, and, lathered with superb solos. Taylor composed and arranged all seven tracks. Kham's Dilemma" opens with a lyrical, yet exotic statement with Taylor's trumpet and Marcus Elliot's sax in unison over an energized rhythm bed before it breaks out swinging hard and meaning business. Fine solos follow from Taylor, Marcus Elliot and pianist Theron Brown. After ...
read moreTrachant PAP: Trachant PAP
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Listener Immersion is a voluntary aural process where, to obtain the maximum aesthetic effect of the intersection and interrelation of melody, textures, and rhythm, one simply and patiently offers oneself in toto to those elements. The result can be fulfilling and most pleasurable--or not. With Trachant (which translates as edge" or sharp"), delivered by three of Europe's most outstanding and insightful musicians (guitarist Pablo Montagne, bassist Andrea Gallo, and drummer, Pierluigi Villani; PAP"), the listener's experience can be sublime.
read moreProfessor Irwin Corey: Duets II, It's All About You!!
by Nicholas F. Mondello
In one of the more noteworthy album discoveries of recent years Schlossin Records, a division of Moyel Music, has unearthed a series of extremely rare cuts featuring the vocal skills of that instructor to the stars and game show celeb, Professor Irwin Corey. Originally recorded live (and without Corey's permission) at multiple locations, the prof sheds academic robe for a beret and zoot suit and sends up a dozen killer tracks with celebs who begged to sit in with Corey ...
read moreJulie Kelly: Freedom Jazz Dance
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Freedom Jazz Dance from Los Angeles singer, Julie Kelly offers an interesting array of selections that emanate from that musical road less traveled. And, as in life, sometimes that road yields nuggets of delight that would most likely never make it to the tried and true way." Peter Nero and Carroll Coates' New York on Sunday" opens things and is a lilting snap on 2 and 4 groove with Kelly joyously covering it and Josh Nelson slickly ...
read moreKim Parker: Reminiscing in Jazz
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Kim Parker is a marvelously talented jazz vocalist and the step-daughter of both Charlie Parker and Phil Woods. A sensitive, tasteful, and endearing jazz voice, Kim has recorded numerous albums as leader and others as an accompanying artist. She has a marvelously rich history in jazz both as a result of her famous families, as well as those legendary musicians she's encountered in her incredible life. Here, Kim shares memories and reflections in a fascinatingly honest and insightful manner.
read moreSummer Camargo: To Whom I Love
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Trumpet artist Summer Camargo startled the music and entertainment worlds when, as a brilliant 22-year-old Juilliard grad, she landed the highly-desired trumpet chair in the Saturday Night Live band. Camargo now adds to her lengthy list of achievements with her debut album, To Whom I Love. She and a cadre of New York all-stars deliver nine varied tracks (seven Camargo originals and two jazz workhorses) on which she and her colleagues shine. JP Shuffle," upbeat and catchy, ...
read moreTony Monaco Trio: Over and Over
by Nicholas F. Mondello
B-3. The organ model resonates with jazz fans as something musically profound which fundamentally hits in the soul. Perhaps it is the Gospel and church roots or the list of greats in the jazz organ pantheon--Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Shirley Scott, et al. Now that Joey DeFrancesco has left us, there is a handful of great jazz B-3 organists still pumping jazz air--Mike LeDonne, for one, and Tony Monaco. With Over and Over, the Columbus, Ohio-based Monaco, ...
read moreLauren White: Making It Up As We Go Along
by Nicholas F. Mondello
With this, her fifth album, Los Angeles-based Renaissance lady, Lauren White offers eleven intriguing selections across a range of styles and sources, backed up by some of the city's best. While shrewdly avoiding the tried, true and over-recorded, White uses her subtle skills with taste and maturity. Interestingly, the album plays sequentially as if it were a performance. That is one of its attractions. Launching things, Steely Dan's I'm Not the Same Without You" is a coy ...
read moreTony Adamo: Soul Glide
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"Soul Glide" is the latest offering from singer/composer and hipster nonpareil, Tony Adamo. The track is a slick R&B throwback with an Eddie Harris Listen Here" vibe and groove. It is an enjoyable listen and it has terrific momentum and bite. Over a solid rhythm bed from this spirited ensemble, Rob Sudduth's tenor opens the track with a tight Famous Flames"-like line that chants a musical you dig?" Adamo joins the party singing lyrics that are lathered ...
read moreHermon Mehari: American Jazz, Eritrean Echoes
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Award-winning trumpeter, composer and educator Hermon Mehari is a modern day Renaissance Master. Born in the United States of Eritrean parents who were refugees, Mehari has brilliantly crafted a musical presence and branding that melds American jazz and its deep traditions with Eritrean overtones. A true visionary, Mehari has recorded a handful of highly-acclaimed albums, including Asmara (Komos Records, 2022) hosts a live radio show, teaches and tours worldwide as both leader and sideman. He currently resides in Paris, France. ...
read more