Jazz Articles
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Supercharged: Down to the Bone
by Chris M. Slawecki
Contemporary jazz doesn't come much better than the seventh release from this UK-based ensemble led by founder and producer Stuart Wade, who plays no instruments but is very instrumental in Supercharged's bright, crisp contemporary sound.
As drummer Adam Riley, alternating bassists Richard Sadler and Julian Crampton, and guitarist Tony Remy man the rhythm section, alto saxophonist Paul Shilts Wiemar leads most melodies in the effusive style of David Sanborn's energetic jazz pop, supported and stoked by the D.C. ...
read moreDown to the Bone: Supercharged
by Jeff Winbush
The premise of Supercharged, the seventh album by Down to the Bone, is a simple one. It only asks the listener one question: Do you wanna get down? For those that answer with an affirmative Good God, yes" this is your reward.This is bobbing your head, wiggle your butt in your seat music. No ballads, no lame stabs at hip-hop or rap, just good ol' soul music with real musicians playing real instruments. All the overly ...
read moreSteve Cole: True
by C. Michael Bailey
Let's face it, the music genre(s) known as Smooth Jazz or Adult Contemporary Jazz or Nu-Jazz (if, in fact, they are different genres) demonstrate little critical appeal among those who consider themselves serious jazz enthusiasts. Elevator Music, Muzak, Weather Channel Music, whatever, Smooth Jazz gets precious little respect...as well it deserves. As a branch of jazz, Smooth Jazz is the music for listeners who can't tolerate the real thing without something sweet. You know, listeners who would mix Knob Hill ...
read moreJoyce Cooling: Revolving Door
by Chris M. Slawecki
Gibson Guitars' 1999 Jazz Guitarist of the Year, Joyce Cooling, paints a bright and colorful picture on Revolving Door with loving strokes. You might be surprised to learn that this is her portrait of an often dark subject. Says Cooling, 'Revolving Door' is a metaphor for a situation we humans often find ourselves in where there is seemingly no beginning and no end to a problem. It can be a frustrating treadmill with the same path ruthlessly cycling under your ...
read moreNick Colionne: Keepin' It Cool
by Jeff Winbush
Nick Colionne sounds like a lot of guys. You'll hear a bit of George Benson here and a snatch of Wes Montgomery there, Jonathan Butler or Earl Klugh somewhere else. But that doesn't mean Colionne isn't original. It's just obvious that his style of playing has been influenced by other guitar greats.Colionne has been releasing albums since 1994, but Keepin' It Cool, his first release on a major label, is his big coming-out party. Featuring backing by professional ...
read moreJason Miles: Miles to Miles: In the Spirit of Miles Davis
by Woodrow Wilkins
Mention Miles Davis and ears are sure to perk up--especially if you're talking about honoring the trumpet legend. And if you've got a good supporting cast, you can score--big time. That's what keyboardist/arranger/synthesizer programmer/producer Jason Miles has done with Miles to Miles: In the Spirit of Miles Davis. With such all-stars as Gerald Albright, Michael Brecker, Marc Antoine, Keiko Matsui and Nicholas Payton contributing, Jason Miles delivers a funky, groove-infested album that's sure to set many toes to ...
read moreJason Miles: Miles to Miles: In the Spirit of Miles Davis
by John Kelman
Jason Miles has a wealth of experience and expertise in an area that is often under-appreciated. Synthesizer programming may not seem as significant as the folks who play the instrument, but the truth is that the wealth of programmed sounds for a recording can ultimately determine how contemporary-sounding and, equally importantly, how timeless it will become.
Take Miles Davis' Tutu. While some of the compositions have gone on to become synonymous with Davis' last period, gaze back at the recording ...
read moreGabriela Anders: Last Tango in Rio
by Woodrow Wilkins
Brazil and Argentina are rivals in soccer and basketball. And the people speak different languages: Portuguese and Spanish. However, there's one remarkable young singer who defies cross-border feuds. Gabriela Anders was born in Argentina, has embraced the music of Brazil and resides in the United States. Her multi-nationalism is reflected in her music. This is brought to light with Last Tango in Rio , the long-awaited North American follow-up to Wanting. Born into a family of musicians, Anders ...
read moreGabriela Anders: Last Tango In Rio
by Jim Santella
Hip and light, Last Tango in Rio features Gabriela Anders' whispered vocals in a swinging, contemporary affair. She multi-tracks her vocal selections to achieve a plurality in the spotlight, as her ensemble provides smooth sounds that recall the shoreline of her native Argentina.
Drifting smooth jazz and oceanfront scenes go together like cookies and milk. Anders puts the two into her package smartly, with an appeal toward what makes us relax. Her session would mellow even the most ...
read moreRamsey Lewis Trio: Time Flies
by Michael P. Gladstone
The latest album from the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Time Flies, revisits several Lewis benchmark recordings in addition to presenting new compositions. While I cannot say that Ramsey Lewis has come full circle since his late-1950s albums, it is indeed a pleasure to hear him in primarily a mainstream jazz setting again.
While much of the population marks The In Crowd" in 1965 as ground zero for Lewis' popularity, I strongly recommend his recordings during the late '50s and ...
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