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Art Hirahara: Echo Canyon
by Neil Duggan
The planned happenstance theory states that unplanned events can create new opportunities. So it was that Art Hirahara was in the right place at the right time, taking last-minute advantage of studio time at Brooklyn's Acoustic Recording studio following a cancellation by another artist. Along with his long time collaborators, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston, the session produced the album, Echo Canyon. This is his ninth album for the Posi-Tone Records label and follows on from Verdant Valley ...
Continue ReadingStacey Kent: Summer Me, Winter Me
by Neil Duggan
With her album sales measured in millions, Stacey Kent is one of the great success stories in modern jazz. Her multi-lingual abilities allow her to record in various languages and she has appeared in over fifty countries. Her appeal is global and it is her vocal ability which has taken her to these heights. Her voice is light but commands attention with her ability to engage and communicate the narratives of love and regret, often in a simple and minimalist ...
Continue ReadingAltin Sencalar: In Good Standing
by David A. Orthmann
In many ways, In Good Standing is a jazz aficionado's dream. Trombonist, composer, and arranger Altin Sencalar's inaugural disc as a leader for Posi-Tone encourages granular, analytical consideration. It is worthwhile to pause and think about the details of inspired performances, ponder the efficacy of Sencalar's original compositions and interpretations of gems penned by jazz giants, and contemplate the numerous examples of his band's esprit de corps. Conversely, it would be a shame to only concentrate on these things and ...
Continue ReadingDon Braden: Earth Wind and Wonder, Vol. 2
by Jack Bowers
As on the first recording of this two-volume series, acclaimed tenor saxophonist Don Braden pays tribute to a couple of his coming-of-age idols, singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder and the genre-defying group Earth, Wind and Fire. Braden has chosen four of Wonder's compositions and three associated with EW&F to accompany a pair of his splendid original themes. Braden plays tenor saxophone most of the way, flute and alto flute, respectively on Wonder's “Bird of Beauty" and “Creepin.'" Needless to ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: And That Too
by David A. Orthmann
Less than ten seconds into “Grit," the opening track of Josh Lawrence's latest chapter as a leader for Posi-Tone Records, the trumpeter uncorks a jaw-dropping solo. Set in a brisk, no-nonsense tempo, it does not so much eclipse the music that follows as it sets the tone for the record by declaring that And That Too is playful and deadly serious. Lawrence's rich, full-bodied tone is the entryway to over two minutes of unadulterated invention. Every note ...
Continue ReadingDiego Rivera: Love & Peace
by David A. Orthmann
While some of its roots lie in jazz practices of the mid-to-late twentieth century, Diego Rivera's Love & Peace brushes aside the expectations and comparisons which often accompany newly-recorded records that bear a resemblance to sounds from the past. The tenor and soprano saxophonist assembled a cast of players who frequently appear on Posi-Tone releases. Pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Rudy Royston have met the challenges of loads of jazz and improvised music projects, ...
Continue ReadingJazz Diversity Through Six New Album
by Bob Osborne
The rich diversity of modern jazz is examined through six great new releases from Art Hirahara, Marco Pacassoni Trio, Eric Vloeimans with Will Holshouser, Nicolas Politzer, Charu Suri and Playfield.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Art Hirahara “Danza Por Arte" from Verdant Valley (Posi-tone) 00:48 Marco Pacassoni Trio “Time Vibes" from Life (Giotto Music) 08:40 Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser “Tibi Gracias" from Two For The Road (V—Flow/Challenge Records) 15:16 Nicolas Politzer “Sitio" from Será Niebla (ears&eyes) 23:07 Charu Suri “Nature ...
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